Comedy and Psychological Thriller: “AlShak” and “Khrais” are the latest from Shahid Original Shorts
Launching on “Shahid VIP” and “Shahid”, this June
Shahid Original cutting-edge content elevates the quality of Arabic storytelling and satisfies audiences’ thirst for authentic and distinctive TV series told in contemporary, engaging and innovative ways.
“Alshak” — inspired by the pandemic, explores the theme of isolation, mental health and the line between our physical world and its digital counterpart.
In light of the lockdown caused by the Coronavirus around the world, a group of young people decided to embody this reality by presenting the new title “Alshak” or “Doubt” directed by Marc Eid and Fatima Al Banawi, which is one of Shahid’s original works. The series presents the story of Samar (Fatima Al Banawi), who decides to stay in her home away from relatives or friends, but a sudden event occurs in her life that forces her to think again about the decision to isolate, as she receives a link that reveals to her a murder and suddenly becoming a hostage of a violent murderer, pushing her to face the demons of her past. In the midst of the global pandemic, “Alshak” explores the themes of isolation & connection. It was created, written and filmed entirely in lockdown.
Fatima Al-Banawi, the heroine of the show and one of its writers and directors, explains: “In the period of isolation, there are psychological concerns for every person, especially those who are forced by circumstances to stay on their own, and this is the story of Samar.” Fatima continues: “Suspicion is one of the psychological reactions of a person in a similar case, as she sees strange things happening inside the house, for example, if the curtain moves alone, this doubts her to ask about the validity of her mental health, especially when you witness a crime via the Internet, and everyone refuses to believe that story “. The theme highlights both the silencing of female voices in Arab society and the unfair suspicions around those dealing with past traumatic events
Written by Daniel S. Habib, Firas Abou Fakher, Nasri Atallah, and with the participation of Mai Kababah and Fatima Al Banawi, directed by Marc Eid and Fatima Al Banawi.
Casting: Fatima Al Banawi, Baraa Alem, Nadia Malaika and Razan Jamal, with the participation of star Kosai Khauli
“Khrais” — A media project that puts ten years of friendship in the field of practical testing
A group of friends puts their old relationship at risk, testing its depth and durability in “Khrais”, a new Shahid Original social comedy.
This happens when friends start a new media company that specializes in youth topics; inspired by their professional experiences and personal interests, the project, run by 5 friends, is launched. However, the path of self-employment and the pursuit of success in the financial world will be the subject of a real and practical test of a ten-year friendship.
Osama Saleh, one of the stars of the show, writer and director, explains that the “Khurais” road is the only way that distinguishes Riyadh from the rest of Saudi cities, so it is the name the friends chose for their media company, pointing out that “we are facing the story of the educated youth from this era, each of them wants to express himself, his ambitions and ideas, but he clashes with the closest people to him. Your friend in life is not necessarily your business partner, and perhaps he should not be so at all! “The series is light, funny and stimulates a debate,” Saleh added. “It was fully shot in Riyadh.”
Saleh believes that “the most dangerous thing is that you gather your friends in a commercial project, so does the friendship continue between them or are they affected and shaken?! All of this in a series full of funny comic situations.”
Shahid Original “Khrais” is a total of 8 episodes, 12 minutes each, releasing two episodes per week exclusively on “Shahid” as of June 24.
Written and directed by Osama Saleh and produced by Abdulrahman Khawj.
The story and events were developed through a book workshop consisting of Nawaf Al-Muhanna, Rashid Al Yami and Abdullah Al-Jubaileh.
Casting starring Osama Saleh, Omar Saleh, Shujaa Nashat, Rakan Zahid, Abdul Rahman Abdallah, Mariam Abdulrahman, with the participation of Zara Al-Balushi, Driyan Al-Draian, and both Nayef Al-Fawaz and Abdullah Al-Jubaileh.
