Television | Mahdi Ahmed

Posts tagged ‘Television’

RUGYAH: CRAFTING SHADOWS INTO ART

A Serendipitous Beginning

About three days ago, I received an exciting request from Mua, the director of the captivating short film ‘Rugyah’ which was aired on Raajje TV on 23 April 2021. He approached me for assistance in providing subtitles for the movie, as he plans to submit it to an upcoming Indian film festival. This opportunity sparked a rush of memories, taking me back to the incredible journey we embarked upon, from the birth of the idea to its final manifestation on the small screen.

Inception of a Vision

Our journey commenced in early March of the same year when Mua had a remarkable vision for a Ramadan special on Raajje TV. His unique idea was to create a horror screenplay, but with a twist – the production had to be relatively simple and confined to minimal locations. Our brainstorming sessions were filled with intensity, and it was during one of these sessions that inspiration struck me. I stumbled upon an online news article featuring a local island’s scandalous ‘Rugyah’ scam, and its gripping narrative potential immediately captivated me.

The Birth of ‘Rugyah’

Writing the screenplay for ‘Rugyah’ turned out to be a whirlwind experience. In merely four days, I had a draft ready for Mua, who was genuinely thrilled with the outcome. However, casting came with some unexpected hurdles, especially when it came to finding child actors within the tight time constraints we faced. It was during this challenging period that Mua came up with a brilliant idea – to reshape the cast and introduce two real-life sisters, Azza and Rishmy. This ingenious move brought a captivating new dimension to the narrative, as their personal history of reconciliation added depth and authenticity to their on-screen portrayal of sisters Zee and Adhila.

Unfolding the Tale

The revised plot now revolved around Zee and Adhila, both trapped in a house, desperately fighting for freedom from Adhila’s manipulative husband, Easa, and the enigmatic character of Usman, a rogue spiritual healer. What unravelled before the audience was a bone-chilling tale of manipulation, torture, and survival, intertwined with supernatural beliefs. By the end of March, I wrapped up the final rewrites, and in April, Mua delved into the production phase.

Mua’s Directorial Brilliance

Mua’s directorial skills proved to be nothing short of brilliant. Despite the demanding production schedule of two weeks – one for filming and another for post-production – the quality of the film remained uncompromised. His steady and innovative direction respected both the story and the actors, ensuring that ‘Rugyah’ was a riveting watch from start to finish. Mua’s exceptional ability to choose the perfect camera shots transformed the 58-minute film, set entirely within the confines of an apartment, into a visually captivating masterpiece. I must mention one scene, in particular, where Zee is forced to scrape food into a bin while a famished Adhila helplessly watches on, which left a profound impact on the audience.

Immense Pride and the Continuation of Creativity

As I hand over the completed subtitles, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride in having been part of the ‘Rugyah’ journey. The stellar performances delivered by the cast were truly remarkable, but it was Mua’s visionary direction that effortlessly showcased their incredible talents. His skill in maintaining engagement and conveying deep meaning through cinematography served as a testament to his artistic brilliance. And now, as he hints at a new project on the horizon, it seems that our creative journey is far from over, with the ball now in my court. ‘Rugyah’ was more than just a film; it was a remarkable voyage filled with creative challenges, constant adaptation, and ultimately, triumphant success.

SEASON FINALE AND A TEST SCREENING

The finale of season two of television series SPARTACUS ends with a rip-roaring conclusion with promise of more blood and carnage in season three. I mean, would the senate of Rome keep quiet after what Spartacus and his warriors did to Glaber and his legion? Spartacus even killed Varinius, another decorated praetor? Spartacus’ final words of the last episode were, ‘Let Rome sends their legions. We will face them. And see all follow Glaber in death.’

Liam McIntyre shines as Spartacus, the strategic leader who leads his ill-fated warriors to victory when all hope is lost as they find themselves trapped on top of the Vesuvius volcano, to where they fled when they were outnumbered by Glaber and his legion. Spartacus’ final speech to his disheartened warriors was stirring. He delivered it with aplomb, just as a true leader would.

‘The Romans hold numbers far outweighing our own. Yet they have revealed time and again fatal flaw. That they believe the Roman way is the only one. Just as they believe that there is only one way to leave this mountain. We shall teach them that we forge our own paths. And nothing in this world is impossible, when heart and mind are put towards it. Brace rope, let us begin a lesson forever remembered. The sound will mask descent. The gods bless us with good fortune. Free men create their own. We are all gods this night. And the Romans shall feel our wrath.’

Andy Whitfield would be smiling as Liam bravely took over the reins of the series after his untimely death.

Though the season ended on a triumphant note, it was sad to see Mira die as she was one of the bravest female characters I have seen on both TV and screen. If Lieutenant Ellen L. Ripley was for Aliens or Sarah Connors was for Terminator, Mira was for Spartacus. Though not realized by Spartacus, Mira played a huge role in shaping his destiny. I still believe that Mira was the reason Spartacus became a true leader. In the final battle he probably found strength when Mira was killed. He sure is a man who fought for the women in his life.

Mira may have died, but to see Naevia fought so bravely against Ashur was an elation even though the final beheading was a little bit overly graphic. But I was rooting for her. Naevia was another strong female character who would not succumb to the evil that men have done to her or the tragic circumstances that occurred in her life. To see her stand up on her feet even that symbolically in a sword fight with the man who undid her is something to be treasured. With her powerful reply to Ashur when he degrades her infront of Crixus and her fellow warriors, I wanted to finish him off too. I may have liked his evilness but at that point I really cursed him.

‘My death will not heal the scars you bear. Nor erase of my **bleep** inside of her, or all those that followed,’ Ashur attacks Naevia with ill words.

‘No. It will not. But it is a **bleep** start,’ cries Naevia. Rest is Ashur’s history.

The series has left me like someone possessed. I’m a true fan now. The series has toppled FRIENDS from my favorite TV series list after staying on top since 1994. I can’t wait to see the third season of Spartacus which starts next month.

To fill the void left by Spartacus, my wife and I started watching GAME OF THRONES last night. Many of our kin and friends recommended it. My wife did watch the first two episodes of the first season. I don’t really know what happened after couple of minutes into the first episode.

Ravee and I met at L’Aquila this evening. Ravee will be getting the final audio files of INGILI (Finger) from Mohamed Ikram, composer and sound designer of the film tonight. We are planning to have a test screening next week with limited invitees. Ravee has already booked a place. I’m excited to hear the comments on our first experimental movie.

Cheers!