​The highlights of Ramadan 2023 ( part one)

A journalist described the drama series’ of this year’s Ramadan season as one of the worst in recent times, this could be true but its also harsh on the hard work and high performances by some notable actors, actress, writers and directors.

We have picked a mixture of positive and negative elements of this year’s Ramadan series’ which will give you a more balanced outlook than the mentioned journalist.

The Queen:

Named as Queen SafSaf in Jaafar El Omoda series Hala Sedki is a true queen and way before this series, Sedki is one of very few actresses that can vary in her roles and excels in all of them whether it is comedy, romance, tragedy or ones with social issues. From her very first start in the world of acting, Sedki captured the heart of people just as she is doing this Ramadan. To accept the role of Mohamad Ramadan’s mother is a sign of her self confidence and bravery especially as the age difference between the two is not that great and many actresses would have refused to play the mother role in fear of typecasting. Sedki has brought her own touch to the concept of motherhood, she is a mixture of the stern and strict mother when needs to be and caring and loving when its required. If there is a number one actress for this Ramadan season then Hala Sedki would claim it with ease.

The successful Combo:

Mohamed Sami and Mohamad Ramadan are a duo that regardless of the content of their project, success and high viewing figures are guaranteed and despite the fact that Jaffar ElOmda is very similar to their previous collaboration of El-Ostora and The Prince, in term of plot and style yet it still attracts the highest of viewing figures and so far each episode was trending on social media. In a way its similar to the films of James Bond, before you see the film you know the ending and the plot but people still rush to see it and that is exactly what Sami and Ramadan have achieved; guaranteeing the pull factor with the same and tried method which is clearly a feature that people like and trust.

The Repetitive Group:

No one can deny the success of El Adel group over the years but with everything in life progression and development are vital for survival which have been lacking with the group. Every year the same stars and same general outline of plot, their insistence on the three annual series with the same three female stars; Yousra, Nelly Karim and in the last few years Riham Hagag has become repetitive and predictable. We mentioned the successful duo of Mohamed Sami and Mohamad Ramadan but they had ensured this success by not working together every year, a bit of mixture ensures renewable energy and production.

Stars in their Own Right:

There are few actors and actresses that shone out amongst the biggest of stars even though they were not the leading characters, here are the notable few. Ahmed Fahem; without a shadow of doubt the actor that impressed the most with the portrayal of the kind but weak Sayed El Omda, his ability to make the audience cry and laugh with him and root for him is a testimony to his great talent. Mai Kassab; this year Kassabrediscovered herself with her powerful performance of Thurrayea, the audience’s favourite wife of Jaffar, due to the fact that Kassab made the character real and authentic, one that ordinary people can relate to.  Maha Nassar in ‘Souk elKanto’ was far more effective than the actual star of the series Mai Ezz ElDine, the character of Fatima is at times puzzling for the audience to understand as there is a shift in her behaviour and emotion which is a reflection of her confused state. Ahmed Gamal Saeed is another discovery this Ramadan season, even though he has been acting for years but it is only now that he is really starting to show his acting ability, comedy skills and hidden potential. Mai Omar might not have chosen the best series this Ramadan but was spot on for opting for a different role to her usual good girl character, as we stated the series was not a success but Mai Omar, Passant Shawky and Dalia Mostafa were the ones that stood out.

The Big Jump:

Amir Karara had a point to make this year after the disastrous collaboration with Ahmed Saka and Mohamed Sami and was also in a rather difficult position after the overwhelming success of ‘El Ekhteayar’. But Karara made the right choice as he stepped away from action and chose the period drama of ‘Souk El Kanto’. The same can’t be said for Yasser Galal whom the audience had got accustomed to a standard he had set for himself over the last decade or so, ‘E’laka Mashrou’a’ was a the wrong choice for someone of Galal calibre. GhadaAbdel Razak, is another person who made a come back this year with a rather dull and pointless series, Rogena’sinsistence of being the leading star of a series is hurting her more than its putting people off watching her, she is a great actress but as a supporting star rather than a leading one and the same applies to Riham Hagag who is far less of an actress than Rogena but is a good one nonetheless but not as a leading star.

The Drama behind the Drama:

As we have got accustomed to every Ramadan there are always a ‘drama’ behind the drama series season, and as often the case the actress Zena is at the centre of the latest rumour that she had a big fall out with the entire crew of ‘Jaffar ElOmda’ as she has hardly posted anything related to the series on her social media accounts, unlike all the other stars of the series. She was also notably absent during a suhoorgathering that had all of the series stars. Plus the fact that since the start of Ramadan or even before, Hala Sedki had been posting videos and photos with other cast members joking together and being affectionate with one another, Zena had not featured at all.

The Couples Everyone Loves:

Yasmine AbdelAziz and Ahmed ElAwady are a couple that the audience love to see together, which reminds us of other famous couples in the past that people loved seeing on screen such as Poussy and the late Nour El Sherief, Shadia and Salah Thulfikar, Ahmed Zaki and Hala fouad and the list goes on. Muhra and Gabr in ‘Darb Nar’ have created an unconventional love story that has gripped the nation.