The Egyptian thriller series "Zainhum" has made a unique connection with the reality faced by Palestinians in Gaza, integrating this narrative seamlessly into the drama without compromise. The creators infused scenes demonstrating popular solidarity with Gaza in the face of Israeli aggression. One such illustration is a piece of graffiti in the streets of Alexandria, stating "Palestine is not content; Gaza is dying."
Additionally, one of the protagonists wore a sun hat adorned with Palestinian cultural symbols. Moreover, some characters were featured in a restaurant, opting to drink local sodas in support of the boycott against global soft drink brands.
The series lead, after grossing 31 million Egyptian pounds with the movie "13 Days" in April, which premiered last April, has validated actor Ahmed Dawoud's cinematic capabilities. This success has paved his way into the television leading role through the series "Zainhum," currently airing on the "Watch It" platform and ON channel (ON).
Following its premiere, the series quickly topped the viewing charts on the platform. However, this did not shield fans of Ahmed Dawoud from feeling a tinge of disappointment, as they had high expectations based on the actor's previous works, like "This Evening," "Is That What Happened," and "Grand Hotel."
True Stories from the World of the Dead
"Zainhum" is a series that marries suspense and intrigue, with the majority of its events unfurling within the morgue.
It tells the story of Zainhum, a forensic doctor who goes beyond merely examining corpses. He seeks to uncover the truths behind the incidents that led to their owners' deaths, relying on forensic medicine and sometimes anatomy. Occasionally, driven by curiosity, he ends up entangling himself in complicated situations.
His new assistant, Dr. Jimmy, accidentally discovers his ability to communicate with the dead, aiding in unveiling mysteries and assisting the police in tracking down criminals.
The series comprises 30 episodes, each connected yet separate, highlighting a variety of issues one after another. The plot is inspired by consultant forensic and clinical toxicologist Mohamed Gab Allah's book, "My Dead Friends, Thank You." The author decided to document some of the mysterious and exciting – yet very real – cases he encountered throughout his career.
Those who have read the book and intend to follow the series will find that the creators have chosen to showcase the simplest cases, with less horror and mystery. Many details have been trimmed or dramatically altered for on-screen depiction, resulting in a lighter and more comedic work that has led to a divergence in audience reaction, with some turned off by the changes and others drawn to the blend of suspense, light-heartedness, and humor, distinct from the more prevalent heavy drama.
Observers of recent Arab drama will notice an increase in medical dramas, especially with the onset of platform-exclusive productions favoring short, multi-season series. The most notable among them is the 2020 series "Paranormal," Netflix's first Egyptian production and the first Arabic series adapted from a book.
The story revolves around Dr. "Refaat Ismail," a Hematology professor with the scientific background to undertake adventures in the 1960s involving horror and the supernatural.
Actor Ahmed Amin played the lead, directed by Amr Salama, with stories adapted from the late author Ahmed Khaled Towfik's "Beyond the Natural" series.
Despite negative criticism directed at the director for allegedly distorting the original stories, the series topped viewing charts across most Arab countries and other regions including France, Austria, Luxembourg, India, Turkey, and Ukraine, leading Netflix to prepare for a second season.
Dancing on the Steps
In 2022, "The White Coat," a short medical comedy-drama adapted from satirical writer Ahmed Atef's book "The White Coat, Thermal Vest, and Tap," premiered. It follows Atef, a fresh medical school graduate who finds himself managing a health unit in a remote village, leading to many darkly comedic situations.
The show achieved enormous success, despite its lead, Essam Omar, not being well-known at the time, and it being the first venture for both the author and director Omar El-Mohandes. Following its success, the audience clamored for a second season.
Comparing "Zainhum" with "Paranormal" and "The White Coat," it inevitably ranks last. It waltzes between drama, comedy, and horror without fully succeeding in any genre, thus becoming a "light" single-watch show. Nonetheless, the ensemble's synergy contributed to notable duos within the series: between Ahmed Adam and Karim Kassem (Zainhum and Jimmy), Ahmed Dawoud and Mohamed Abu Dawoud (son and father), and Yara Goubran and Yasser Ezzat (Tawfika and Hafny) – the morgue personnel.
"Zainhum" is an Egyptian series written by Mohamed Soliman Abdel Malek and directed by Yahya Ismail, starring Ahmed Dawoud, Karim Kassem, Salma Abu Deif, Yara Goubran, Mohamed Abu Dawoud, Ahmed Al Rafei, Yasser Ezzat, Osama Abu El Ata, Hanaa El Shorbagy, among others.
