In the ever-evolving landscape of television, directors wield a profound influence by shaping narratives that captivate and resonate with audiences year-round. A new era of brilliant Egyptian directors includes Abdelaziz El Naggar, Mohamed Nayer and Omar El Mohandes, with each contributing a distinct vision that resonates with today’s audiences. Their visionary prowess transcends the confines of traditional storytelling.
These directors’ impact on Egyptian television has been transformational, setting new entertainment standards by fostering discussions on social issues, identity and societal norms. eniGma magazine had the opportunity to interview these outstanding directors, delving into their behind-the-scenes tales, remarkable accomplishments and upcoming projects.
In the wide orbit of directing, it’s rare to come across creators with a unique voice. Abdelaziz El Naggar, one of Egypt’s most prominent directors, successfully garnered such a reputation by mastering storytelling and portraying social issues that have never been discussed. Before delving into film direction and storytelling, El Naggar initially set foot into the commercial realm, directing television advertisements for renowned firms upon graduating from MSA University in 2021, where he majored in translation while dreaming of telling his own story on a bigger cinematic scale.
His artistic debut was Layla, his first feature film at the Sundance Film Festival. He then began his scriptwriting journey, cowriting television series like Bimbo. El Naggar’s breakthrough came this year with Hala Khasa (Special Case), which gained immediate popularity.
Composing a masterpiece like Hala Khasa, which not only deeply resonates and captivates audiences but also promotes awareness of autism among society, could be challenging. “My aim since day one is to narrate stories using my own voice. What I love the most about directing is the fact that I can create a world of its own,” explains El Naggar. Hala Khasa sheds light on the experience of an autistic individual’s love life, working habits and intimate matters, navigating the societal complexities that such characters encounter.
El Naggar understood that tackling such a sensitive topic would require an extraordinary level of care and authenticity. He shares, “As you can see throughout the series, we tried not to mention the word autism, as I was keen on focusing more on the feeling of being left out.” He wanted to allow the viewer to sense the world of autism by concentrating on personal issues commonly experienced by all. To perfectly frame his vision, El Naggar utilised methods of his own, exploiting real-life figures to dive deep into the core of autism.
El Naggar was keen to employ cinematic elements that elevate the portrayal of the character and reflect the essence of the project. For example, he featured music tracks by Ferqet El Masreyeen, garnering spectacular feedback on social platforms. When asked about the selected cast, particularly the fact that Taha Desouky is most renowned for his comedic experience, El Naggar pointed out that, “It was a calculated risk. Taha being a successful comedian, however, is what made the character fresh.” El Naggar’s illustrious visionary skills paved a new pathway in the industry for other creators to venture outside the scope of the ordinary to bring attention to topics that matter.
When asked about what important societal issues present within this generation most intrigue him, El Naggar stressed the importance of mental illness. He elaborated, “I really think what’s currently important to discuss in this generation is mental illness, as people are well aware and are willing to be aware.” This may be a preview of his upcoming projects, however his passion towards storytelling travels well beyond experimentation with a single paradigm. As he said, “Consistently I love to be inconsistent,” emphasising the importance of bringing diverse topics to the scene. Moreover, he highlighted the value of diversification within the present day, especially for rising talents in directing as it helps them gain expanded exposure.
Television enthusiasts seek authentic, captivating portrayals that resonate with real-life emotions, and Mohamed Nayer is one of the few scriptwriters and directors who pioneered this new generation of “real” entertainment. Nayer, known for his compelling narratives that address societal concerns, created a cinematic experience that challenges and enlightens viewers. Nayer graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy at Helwan University in 2005. At the outset of his career, he wrote films such as Aaz Ashab (Dearest Friends), followed by Al-Watar (The Chord)and Ezaet Hob (Radio Love). In addition to his outstanding writing in cinema, he also wrote television series, such as the massive hit Mowaten X (Citizen X), as well as an adaptation of Ahmed Mourad’s bestseller Vertigo.
Following his many screenwriting achievements, Nayer decided to branch out into directing. He believed that he needed several factors to establish his vision successfully, including solid financial production, the proper crew and mental preparation for the transition from writer to director. Taking the helm of direction in Dawa’y El Safar (Reasons for Travel) was not an easy task; it took him two years of preparation and work to ensure that his decision was right. “The viewer sees the series as the final end product. He doesn’t see how it’s prepared. Like with Dawa’y El Safar, the concept changed numerous times. First it was a movie, then it evolved into a short series, and even the cast itself changed several times before it came to the product we see today,” Nayer explained.
Taking us behind the scenes, Nayer shares, “The idea that each person is living in his own solitary bubble has always captivated me,” prompting him to depict it in his art. At first, his focus was on the story of Ibrahim, the old man fabricating a world for himself filled with friends and adventures to reassure his traveling daughter. “It was very lighthearted without the depth I was looking for,” Nayer explains. He delved deeper into the story with the idea of making the character Ali, Ibrahim’s neighbour, suicidal while Ibrahim fights to stay alive. It struck a chord with him, and from there he wanted to make each character have their own bubble of loneliness.
Dawa’y El Safar is regarded as the first Egyptian work to go so deeply into the issue of solitude, and its impact is evident in the creation by fans of a loneliness club in real life. Next, Nayer wishes to explore the topic of the impact of the internet and social media. He elaborates, “All this mass of information that enters your mind, if you let it out of your brain and attempted to live without social media and the internet, how would you live? Actually, you’ll find that your life is considerably easier.” Nayer believes that one must experience directing through real-world experience, such as how to deal with crew, actors, tools and locations, which cannot be learned on the internet. To gain this experience, Nayer suggests one start as an assistant director.
“What comes from the heart goes to the heart,” Nayer advises anyone interested in entering the industry. This is also the focus of his work. Even though his next projects will not be written by him, he intends to direct them with the same goal of gaining new experiences. He never looks back on his work, as his attention is always focused on what comes next. Nayer believes he bears responsibility to himself and society for maintaining his audience’s respect and happiness.
As we delve deeper into the art of directing, we have to mention Omar El Mohandes for his visionary, unique style within the realm of filmmaking. He comes from an artistic family, which nurtured his passion for cinema. After majoring in direction at university, he began his career working as assistant director learning from some of the greats before paving his path into direction with remarkable films including El Gezira 2 (The Island 2), El Khroog (The Exit) and El Kenz (The Treasure). His endless love for cinema revealed a new frontier for him, and he made his acting debut in films such as Alf Mabrok (Congratulations) and Juliet’s Pants.
El Mohandes’s appreciation for cinema originates in his childhood, as he grew up in a household with legendary actor Fouad El Mohandes, a towering figure in Egyptian cinema. This upbringing has inevitably influenced Omar’s passion for cinema and filmmaking, as he was religiously exposed to the artistic realm. “Being raised by a prominent icon like my grandfather manifested my devotion for cinema. There was no doubt I’d be taking part in such a field, however I still wasn’t sure which medium I’d execute my sight in,” El Mohandes shares.
For nearly a decade, El Mohandes distilled his craft under the tutelage of Egyptian and international masters, observing and developing skills on the ground that eventually shaped his distinctive vision. He developed a keen eye for storytelling that was initially stirred by great names including Sherif Arafa. “My experience with Sherif Arafa was beyond insightful and inspirational. Observing his techniques was a great opportunity to understand how a shooting location is managed, how to construct a narrative and, most importantly, how to best evoke powerful performances from actors,” he recalls.
After cultivating his directing skills, he debuted Balto(Lab Coat), an adaptation of Ahmed Atef’s book based upon the author’s real-life story, that follows a young doctor’s challenges in Egypt’s countryside. In collaboration with Atef, El Mohandes devised a fresh vision in which he can rhythmically narrate the timeline. His risk-taking mindset shaped his selection of actors, including the rising talent Essam Omar. Though Omar was relatively unknown at the time, El Mohandes recognised his raw, magnetic talent and his uncommon ability to fully embody a role.
Building the world of Balto wasn’t an easy task, though El Mohandes met the challenge with heavy research, from the development of the script to a considerable amount of scouting. His alluring sense of direction provoked diverse audiences to sympathise with the narrative. He explains, “From the moment I read the script, I was well aware it would have a great impact on the society, especially through younger generations.”
Distinctive directors like El Mohandes believe that societal issues do not necessarily depend on specific generations. However, what differs is the adaptation of the society, as manifested by modernised ideologies reflected on the role of the director. “It’s the same problems but with different, simpler updates,” El Mohandes adds. The rising director believes that consecutive exploration and exposure are what build an unsurpassed director who is fully capable of communicating a vision of his own.
Abdelaziz El Naggar, Mohamed Nayer and Omar El Mohandes have collectively left an indelible mark on Egyptian television through their innovative contributions and enduring influence. They are making an impact on the current generation by spotlighting social concerns that have not previously been tackled in this depth. Each has shaped the landscape of Egyptian entertainment while capturing the hearts of audiences and helping them feel valued and understood. They use different styles with Abdelaziz El Naggar’s narrative depth, Mohamed Nayer’s realistic approach, and Omar El Mohandes’ simple yet authentic style. They have bridged entertainment and social commentary, engaging viewers on crucial issues with wit. Together, their contributions have not only entertained viewers, but also shaped the cultural fabric of Egyptian television, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for them.