TV series Lam Shamseya not a true story but reflects social reality: Mariam Naoum - Screens - Arts & Culture

Al-Ahram Weekly

26-03-2025

Screenwriter Mariam Naoum stated that Lam Shamseya, her Ramadan series discussing child abuse, "is not a true story, but a reflection of social reality today."
This came during an Instagram Live on Monday, during which Naoum and series director Karim El-Shenawy answered audience-generated frequently asked questions.
Lam Shamseya tells the story of Nelly (Amina Khalil), who finds out that her stepson, Youssef (Ali Beialy), was sexually harassed by his father's best friend, Wessam (Mohamed Shahin).
Naoum explained that the reason behind her interest in the topic of child abuse is due to a project she was involved in many years ago.
"I was working on a grant about a girl who was raped at the age of eight, and I decided to work on a project about childhood," she said.
"We developed the script, and the first treatment went to Karim El-Shenawy. We continued to develop it, and what we see is the fifth version of Lam Shamseya."
Regarding the social class chosen for Youssef's character in the series, Naoum said that she did not craft the story to imply that people in higher social classes are unaffected by the issues discussed.
Instead, she emphasized that social problems exist across all classes, and upper-middle-class and educated individuals are not immune to the same challenges explored in the show.
"The upper-middle and educated class is not immune to the same problems presented in the series," she commented.
Since the launch of the series in mid-Ramadan, viewers and critics alike praised its bold exploration of sensitive and timely social issues, like child sexual abuse and family disintegration.
Beialy's portrayal of Youssef has also garnered strong appreciation from viewers and critics alike.
As Youssef's mental health has been a concern for many viewers, earlier this week, director El-Shenawy explained on his Facebook page that Sara Aziz, the founder of Safe Egypt and a board member of the National Council for Maternity and Childhood — a child protection organization — has been present on set to focus on the child's mental health and ensure he feels comfortable while filming.
"The whole team was trained to work with children and ensure their safety on set," Naoum added.
This concern was clarified when Maya Morsi, Minister of Social Solidarity, praised the series on her social media this week.
"Lam Shamsiya is a drama that carries a distinctive artistic fingerprint, executed by professionals keen to deliver a true message of awareness," Morsy wrote.
She emphasized that drama remains the fastest way to raise awareness and influence society, and it is more effective than conferences and traditional campaigns.
Given the series's sensitive topic, the audience asked El-Shenawy if airing Lam Shamseya during Ramadan was the best choice.
"Yes, this is the right time," he replied, adding, "When I presented Khaly Balak Min Zizi [Take Care of Zizi, 2021], I was told that the series wasn't suitable for Ramadan. But the audience watched the show and followed the episodes until the end."
Naoum and El-Shenawy are known for their bold approach to storytelling. They explore unconventional and sensitive topics that are rarely addressed in mainstream Egyptian media.
Among Naoum's well-known screenplays that deeply touched viewers are Segn El-Nesa (Women's Prison), a 2014 TV series inspired by a play written by Fathiya El-Assal, and Taht El-Saytara (Under Control), a 2015 series exploring the world of drug addiction.
"People and their stories inspire me,' Naoum said in a 2015 interview while discussing how she embeds real-life stories into the writings and braids their experiences into the characters.
El-Shenawy's most recent film, The Tale of Daye's Family (Daye: Seret Ahl El Daye), follows the story of an 11-year-old albino Nubian boy who dreams of going on a magical journey from south to north Egypt to pursue his dream of becoming a singer.
Daye was the first Egyptian film to feature an albino actor as the protagonist and screened at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Naoum and El-Shenawy previously collaborated on the TV series Take Care of Zizi (2021), featuring Khalil. The series explores the lives of individuals diagnosed with ADHD and their journeys in overcoming daily challenges and building relationships with others.
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