It’s been 23 years since the release of possibly the greatest Egyptian comedy movie of all time, “El Nazer”. Directed by Sherif Arafa and starring the late Alaa Wali El Deen and the late Hassan Hosny, along with a stellar cast like Ahmed Helmy, Basma, and the late Hesham Selim, the movie was a huge success, cementing itself as a quotable, timeless classic and witty movie that still makes people laugh while addressing a vital topic: education.
El Nazer highlighted multiple angles that concern education, from its importance in dire times and in the face of occupation, to bullying and how can teachers communicate with the students, providing them with a safe space to speak up and love the learning process. While these messages are still relevant, the movie was released in 2000, long before the pandemic and the shift to online learning, TikTok, and the social media era. With rumors circulating around about a spinoff called “Ibn El Nazer” to happen, the movie must have a new approach to tackle the new educational challenges. So what do the creators and writers need to take into consideration when making this film, in terms of message and tone?
First, How the Movie Should Tackle Education
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Cyberbullying
The first movie did a good job tackling the topic of bullying, but there is still a lot to be done. In the movie, the bully was power hungry young man who no one was able to stop. Today, bullying takes multiple shapes and forms, including cyberbullying. While the topic is heavy and relevant and should not be addressed slightly, the sequel must address the topic of cyberbullying seriously but not too preachy, as the beauty and the brilliance of the first movie relied on the audience’s understanding and not being spoon-fed information.
Incorporation of Technology in Facilitating Teaching and Learning
One of the ways Salah was able to encourage students to learn and study was by offering incentives to the students, like bicycles, and computers. Back then, computers were not common in Egyptian households, but now things are different, every house owns a laptop, tablet and each member has their own smartphone. So in the new movie and especially after covid-19 made everyone stay at home, online education must be addressed. There could be jokes about how teachers are still trying to figure out the best way to use Zoom, or the issues facing students and teachers during online classes like laggy internet, or how to maintain the attention of students and teachers during online classes.
Another way it could tackle the rise of social media is by making a funny predicament where teachers try to get students to love learning by trying to follow tiktok trends and making reels, that way the students will have a laugh, and make learning fun.
Mental Health and ADD/ADHD Issues
In the 2000s, mental health awareness was not widely known or understood both culturally and professionally. Now in 2023, people’s mindset has changed, while 23 years ago, someone’s hyperactivity or ADD/ADHD was not considered a disease or disorder, more like bad behavior, now these symptoms are taken seriously. So the screenwriters must include disorders like ADHD, ADD, and neurodivergent into the script.
With all that being said, what about the new cast of El Nazer, what can they bring to the table? And what are the essential lessons that should be carried or at least used as a blueprint for the new movie?
Second, How to Honor the legacy of El Nazer
Address the Loss of the Legends
Without beating around the bush, the new movie must address that Alaa Wali El Deen, Hassan Hosny, and Hesham Selim, sadly passed away.
Inserting a beautiful tribute to the actors and their characters, for instance, they can add a line saying that Salah has passed away young but his legacy still remains due to the impact he made in El Nazer universe. Addressing Salah despite being gone too soon, the students will always remember him for his kindness, passion, and will.
These tribute scenes can include cameos from Ahmed Helmy, who played Atef in the movie, to highlight how Salah’s soul and personality are deeply ingrained in the heart of Ibn El Nazer and that he needs to continue his father’s legacy. Or Karim Mahmoud Abdelaziz joining the cast, continuing his role in the original film, making his arc from a student who grew up watching Salah and Hussien becoming a good teacher and headmaster, deciding he is going to follow the same career path as they were and sharing the passion of learning and education with his students.
In short, whether the movie is going to production or just an idea, we need a new movie for a new generation, a new story that emphasizes the importance of education in our society.
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