If you are bored of Syrian period "Shami" shows that keep on milking the same imperialist theme over and over again, adding nothing to the reservoir of Arab drama except for some surreal stereotypes that exist only in the poor imagination of the writers, then go watch "Al Nadam."
It is safe to say that this drama revived our faith in Syrian drama and saved the day this Ramadan. Let’s explain why:
1. Superb cast, superb performance
This is the first time in five years that we see a powerful comeback of Syrian actors in one show. The director Al-Laith Hajjo managed to set free all the talents in his cast, locked up since 2011 waiting for the right key. The cast in its entirety delivers a memorable performance never seen before in recent Syrian shows. They seem to be on a journey towards self-assertion amidst this chaotic existence… and they have arrived!
2. Life in black and white… is the life in wartime
The show oscillates between 2003 and 2012. Any Syrian (and any news watching Arab) would know the difference in this 10 year gap. The flashbacks – unlike customary dramatic techniques – are shot in color so vivid and alive; whereas scenes of the present day are in grey shades; monotones of black and white… need we say why?
3. The message in the title "regret"
It does not take time to know why the show is titled "Al Nadam" (meaning regret in Arabic)… a sentiment most enduring. As the story unfolds, we discover it is the regret for letting happiness fly by unnoticed, regret for taking normal yet irreplaceable things, feelings, gesture for granted and finding out that some of them will never come back.
4. Daring and sophisticated without being vulgar and incomprehensible
"Al Nadam" tackles some daring issues that were not presented before or are new byproducts of the war era. It does so without resorting to the miserable emotional blackmail we got subjected to over the past five years from most dramas inspired by the Syrian war.
5. A haunting theme song…
With almost 500,000 views on YouTube in 30 days, "Qalbi Alayna" touched our hearts with the soft melancholic tune and the simplicity of its lyrics that invoke the yearning for "Al-zaman al-jameel" (la belle époque), the regret for taking things for granted and the sense of loss… an echo of the absurdity of war.