Mosalsalat 2012

The economic turmoil lingering from the revolution has not spared the entertainment industry, and the past year has seen the stock market roller coaster, film production stop rolling, and the Egyptian Radio and Television Union and Media City reportedly not paying their actors or crews on time. Yet that has not stopped hundreds of mosalsalat (soap operas), entertainment programs, talk shows and candid camera episodes from racing to wrap up in time to compete for viewers’ time this Ramadan. The indoor and outdoor sets of Media City saw high occupancy with many series opting to film on a replica of a district, rather than take the cameras on the road. Among them: Sakr Shahin with Tayem Al-Hassan on the Alexandria set, Bab El-Khalk with Mahmoud Abdel-Aziz on the Garden City set and Al-Khafeesh with Mahmoud Kabeel on the rural set. And don’t get confused if you spot your favorite actor on more than one channel at the same time. Mai Selim is starring in both Al-Nar Wa Al-Teen (Fire and Mud) and Hara Khamas Nogoom (Five-Star Alley), but that’s nothing compared to veteran supporting actress Fadya Abdel-Ghany, who is appearing in at least five different serials this Holy Month. Ramadan would not be complete without Egypt Today’s annual round-up of must-see mosalsalat. So grab the remote and get ready. Big stars on the small screen NAGY ATTALAH SQUAD Directed by Ramy Adel Imam Starring Adel Imam, Mohamed Adel Imam and Anoushka More than 30 years after his landmark starring role in the Ramadan series Tears in Rude Eyes, Egyptian icon Adel Imam returns this year in another espionage/heist thriller. Imam plays politician Nagy Attalah who, after retiring from his position in the Egyptian Embassy in Tel Aviv, decides to take revenge on Israel for its atrocities in Palestine. When he goes back to Egypt, he assembles a squad of his young disciples to plan a heist of an Israeli bank. SHARBAT LOZ Directed by Tamer Marei Starring Youssra, Samir Ghanem and Saba Mubarak This year, Youssra takes on the comic role of Sharbat Loz who, after getting divorced, becomes a dressmaker in her middle-class neighborhood to take care of her brothers and children. As always, a Youssra series is a hot commodity: Sharbat Loz premieres on Mehwar TV, but ERTU also bought the rights for LE 1.25 million, despite its cash flow problems AL-HOROB (THE GETAWAY) Directed by Mohamed Aly Starring Karim Abdel-Aziz, Ranya Mahmoud Yassin and Abdel-Aziz Makhyoum In his first starring TV role, Karim Abdel-Aziz reunites with his frequent writing collaborator Belal Fadl in this political thriller. Abdel-Aziz plays mechanical engineer Mahmoud who becomes an enemy of the state on the run after being framed for a political assassination. Last year, Abdel-Aziz had a cameo in the series Al-Gama’a (The Brotherhood). IBN EL-NEZAM (SON OF THE REGIME) Directed by Ashraf Salem Starring Hany Ramzy, Amira Fathry and Hassan Hossny In this political comedy, Hany Ramzy plays a doctor whose life turns upside down during the January 25 revolution because he also happens to be the son of a former Mubarak-era minister, played by Hassan Hossny. The series was produced by Egyptian Media City. TALES OUTSIDE OF THE CITY Ashgar El-Nar (Trees of Fire) Directed by Yassin Al-Sawy Starring Fathy Abdel-Wahab, Dalia Mostafa and Mohamed Nagaty This supernatural story takes place in a rural village where newly married couple Ayoub and Naasa, played by Fathy Abdel-Wahab and Dalia Mostafa, are living happily. Their world turns upside down with the arrival of ex-convict Nattah who is seeking revenge on all the inhabitants who voted for his exile years ago. IBN LEIL  Directed by Ismael Abdel-Hafez Starring Magdy Kamel, Nehal Anbar and Youssef Shaaban In an Upper Egyptian village, young Hamid was born and raised in poverty, injustice and oppression. After being taken under the wing of outlaws and killers, he becomes a ruthless criminal called Ibn Leil who terrorizes everybody in the area. REAL PEOPLE, REAL STORIES Al-Imam Al-Ghazaly Directed by Ibrahim El-Shawady Starring Mohamed Riad, Nermin El-Feky and Ashraf Abdel Ghaffour TV star Mohamed Riad portrays Al-Imam Al-Ghazaly, the great sheikh and scholar who traveled and studied under notable Islamic figures until he joined their ranks. The episodes also show his battles with the likes of Hassan Al-Batany and his extremist group. AHL EL-HAWA (PEOPLE WITH PASSION) Directed by Omar Abdel-Aziz Starring Farouk El-Fishawy, Iman Al-Bahr Darwish and Madlyn Tabar This TV anthology presents the stories of Egyptian artists who excelled from 1917 until 1923, a politically and culturally rich period influenced by World War I and Egypt’s 1919 Revolution. Among the characters featured in the series: musician Sayed Darwish, portrayed by his grandson Iman Al-Bahr Darwish; poet Biram Al-Tonsy; actor Farouk Al-Fishawy and actress Fatma Roshdy. STORIES DURING THE REVOLUTION Banat fi Banat (Girls x Girls) Directed by Amal Assaad Starring Ranya Farid Shawky, Ahmed Rateb and Aida Abdel-Aziz This anthology looks at the challenges faced by women in Egyptian society today. In each episode, Ranya Farid Shawky portrays a different female character who must cope with different issues such as marital problems, social media and corruption. TEERY YA TAYARA (FLYING KITE) Directed by Diaa Fahmy Starring Mostafa Fahmy, Jehan Fadel and Mona Hala The drama tracks events occurring before and after the January 25 Revolution though the eyes of former Ambassador Madkour (Fahmy) who, after quitting his post, returns to Cairo to face sociopolitical turmoil and corrupt political system. With all the indicators leading to an uprising, Madkour tries to protect his family and help others through his new law firm. AL-SET AL-RAESSA (MS. AL-RAESSA) Directed by Samy Shehata Starring Hala Fakher, Nehal Anbar and Ahmed Khalil In one of Cairo’s marginal neighborhoods, Al-Raessa (Hala Fakher) is trying to raise her three young girls after losing her husband. But suddenly, she and her community find themselves in danger of losing their homes after a corrupt businessman acquires the area with plans to demolish their old buildings to make way for a new luxury development project. WANIS WE AHWAL EL-BELAD (WANIS AND COUNTRY) Directed by Mohamed Sobhy Starring Mohamed Sobhy, Gameel Rateb and Ahmed Khalil Wanis (Sobhy) and his sons and grandsons are trying to survive the sociopolitical aftermath of the revolution inside and outside their home. Political demonstrations, Egyptians fleeing the country, and revolt against the old regime are just part of Wanis’ daily struggle.