Lam Shamseya: 1st Egyptian TV series to highlight child abuse - Screens - Arts & Culture

Al-Ahram Weekly

24-03-2025

Lam Shamseya is the first Egyptian TV series to shed light on the issue of child abuse, exploring sensitive and timely social issues embedded in a gripping storyline and strong performances.
Aired in the second half of Ramadan, the drama series follows the story of Nelly (Amina Khalil), who finds out that her stepson, Youssef (Ali Beialy), has faced sexual harassment by his father's best friend, Wessam (Mohamed Shahin).
The series, written by Mariam Naoum and directed by Karim El-Shenawy, also stars Ahmed El-Saadany, Yosra El-Lozy, and Yasmina El-Abd, who plays Zina, Mohamed Shahin's daughter.
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.
The groundbreaking series has drawn Egyptians' attention to issues that have been difficult to discuss openly.
Unlike other crime cases, where the perpetrator is often easily pointed out, a child abuse case is portrayed as particularly sensitive.
Even Youssef's father, Ahmed El-Saadany, is left with doubts as he struggles to accept that his best friend, whom he views as the child's 'second father,' could do such actions.
The series aims to raise Egyptian viewers' awareness of the importance of educating themselves on such topics and raising their children in a way that encourages open communication and self-protection.
It also highlights that paedophilia can occur by individuals least suspected, like Wessam, who is depicted as an 'ideal' man — a respected husband, father, and university professor.
Lam Shamseya presents many issues in a perfectly realistic manner. These include a child's response to sexual harassment, showing his limited comprehension of the situation and continued attachment to the abuser rather than rejecting them.
The series also accurately portrays families' different responses to such an incident: some doubt and distort the truth, while others are fully supportive and understanding. It highlights the prevalence of child abuse in Egypt, even among family members.
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, director El-Shenawy explained that Sara Aziz, the founder of Safe Egypt and a National Council for Maternity and Childhood board member, a child protection organization, has been present on set to focus on the child's mental health and ensure he feels comfortable while filming.
"For us, Ali is not just someone delivering a few lines as a child character — Ali plays a key, important, and challenging role in Lam Shamsiya. He is a strong, talented Egyptian artist who deserves attention and pride. Our relationship with him extends beyond the project, continuing even after the show ends," El-Shenawy wrote in a Facebook post.
"Ali has become a partner and a member of the family that continues to grow, experiment, and take risks together. We are fortunate to have Ali, his incredible skills, and his supportive family, who have been with him every step of the way, coordinating with us and supporting his talent," he added.
Many viewers have also commended the characters' strong performances and emotional depth. Amina Khalil, Yasmina El-Abd, and Mohamed Shahin have been widely praised for their authenticity and the emotional weight they bring to their roles.
The multidimensional female characters, like Zina (Yasmina El-Abd) and Nelly (Amina Khalil), broke traditional stereotypes, presenting women as resilient individuals in difficult circumstances.
El-Shenawy and Naoum are known for their bold approach to storytelling. They often explore unconventional and sensitive topics 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 that explores the world of drug addiction, its victims, and their families.
"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.
El-Shenawy and Naoum 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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