We’re witnessing some amazing work this Ramadan. There aren’t just one or two good series, there are a handful of great series. However, this time we’re recommending Afrah El Obba. The show keeps proving to be one of the best thing to come out this year and here’s why.
Intricate, Fast-Paced Story
Afrah El Obba is based on a Naguib Mahfouz novel. This can explain why it turned out to be so brilliant! The story has so many layers, which while being peeled slowly in front of the viewer, still manages to have fast-paced events and developments every single episode.
Play within a Play
This “Meta” concept isn’t new. The most famous play within a play is Shakespeare’s Hamlet, which the show makes a powerful homage to. We are deeply enjoying the fact that something so artsy is being introduced to the mainstream. Throughout the series, we’re watching a play take place. We watch as the events unfold on stage, mimicking real events that happened in each of the characters’ lives.
Classic Mystery
The first episode establishes quite clearly that this is a huge whodunit situation. Although it’s clear who has killed Taheya (Mona Zaki) we don’t know why and we don’t even know if it’s real or a hallucination of some sort. None of the characters’ pasts are revealed from the get-go.
Great Acting
We’re watching some very, very talented actors perform impeccably. All the characters in this show are extremely complex, and each role was carefully handed to a capable actor. Whether it be Jamal Suleiman’s stern, yet playful-at-times performance, Eyad Nassar’s heartbreaking delivery, Sawsan Badr’s mind-blowing intensity, or Mohamed Elsharnouby’s unsettling quiet demeanor, every actor and actress played their parts perfectly. Mona Zaki and Seba Mubarak are also both brilliant, their scenes together are a true joy to watch.
Styling and Makeup
Every little detail is accounted for. The story spans over the few years between the late 60s and early-to-mid 70s, and the characters are dressed to match the era perfectly. Not only that; if you keep a close eye, you can find a lot about the characters from their clothing and accessories. Salwa Othman plays an older character, and she wears red lipstick with overdrawn lips like Laila Mourad. You can tell she’s older than the rest of the characters just by that tiny little detail!
Admirable Directing Skills
It takes more than just talent to create a work of art; it also requires skill, craftsmanship, if you will! The series has some gorgeous shots. Mohamed Yasine has proven himself to be a spectacular director. The series sets the viewer up for this well, since the first shot of the first episode is a long, very nicely done sequence shot that swept us off our feet.
Non-Linear Timeline
Again, it’s nothing new, but this one we don’t see much in Egypt, or at least we don’t see it done so well! The non-linear timeline in Afrah El Obba flows so easily. It’s complicated enough to keep the viewer intrigued and on their toes, but not too complicated as to confuse anyone.
Every Actor Counts
Yet, some of the biggest characters don’t show up until three episodes in! Mona Zaki only appears at the very end of the first episode, Sayed Ragab shows up for the first time in the third episode and only for a few seconds. Many of the actors go for episodes without making an appearance, but when they do, it’s well-worth it.
Attention to Detail
Every little thing is accounted for in Afrah El Obba, from Jamal Suleiman’s slight Syrian accent which is only explained later on in the series, to Sawsan Badr’s injured arm. Everything is done meticulously and it shows in the overall result.
