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People Think This Egyptian TV Show Is Ripping Off Breaking Bad

People Think This Egyptian TV Show Is Ripping Off Breaking Bad

They are very similar...

Amelia Ward

Amelia Ward

Imitation is the best form of flattery. It's pretty commonplace for films and TV shows to be remade and reworked over time, especially when they've absolutely smashed it the first time around.

But people are saying that an Egyptian TV show has gone a bit too far, having being accused of plagiarising American TV show Breaking Bad.

Yes, Egyptian series Wald El Ghalaba is currently under fire for nicking bits from everyone's favourite meth-based drama - and according to tweets from disgruntled fans, it might be that they've gone a bit too far.

As reported by Nile FM, Egyptian Twitter users have claimed the show has tried to copy not only the plot, but also the dialogue of the AMC drama.

According to the Egyptian website, Wald El Ghalaba follows the story of a poor man from Upper Egypt who is forced to take up two jobs to make ends meet - one as a school teacher and also a taxi driver. He's then pushed to start selling drugs.

Sound familiar? Erm, maybe...

Ok, there are differences. In Breaking Bad, Walter White is a high school chemistry teacher who's been diagnosed with lung cancer. Former student Jesse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul, helps him to become a criminal, making his own meth and selling it to try to help make his family's future easier when he dies.

The plots aren't identical, but the similarities between the two storylines have been clocked by viewers.

As translated by Nile FM, one said: "Expectations: let's take Breaking Bad, making it Egyptian, name it Wald El Ghalaba and celebrate its success.

"Reality: people watch Breaking Bad instead and make fun of Wald El Ghalaba."

Another wrote: "They didn't even bother working on a new script. Some of the quotes from Breaking Bad are translated verbatim."

Someone else posted: "Even the injury is in the same spot."

The show's director, Rifqi Assaf, has denied similarities between the shows in an interview with Fel Fan, discussing the scene where Walter and his wife are standing in front of a stack of money.

The director of the Egyptian show has pointed out differences between the two.
Facebook/Rifqi Assaf

"In Breaking Bad, it's a bottom shot filmed with a normal lens that shows the money stacked on top of one another. The characters are standing in an empty basement with no expressions on their faces," he said.

"On the other hand, in Wald El Ghalaba, they're standing in a manner that shows weakness. It's also a top shot filmed with a wide lens."

Hmm. What do you think? Coincidence? Obvious rip-off? Barely any resemblance whatsoever? It's certainly got people talking.

Featured Image Credit: AMC/MBC

Topics: TV and Film