Ghosts of Sayala


Ghosts of Sayala is a 2004 Egyptian TV series directed by Ismail Abd al-Hafez and written by drama writer Osama Anwar Okasha, the last one he wrote before he died. The show stars 23-year old Ahmed El-Fishawy, Abla Kamel, Hassan Hosny, Zeina, Mahmoud El-Hadini, Safia El Emari and others. It was aired for 37 episodes in one season produced and aired by EMPC. The show is seen as one of the most recognized Egyptian TV-Shows of the new millennium.

Production

The opening song was sang by Hani Al-Abd. Ahmed El-Fishawy stated that his role in the show still his ever favorite rule of his acting career. The show had some problems during production and also with advertisers, which led to exclude it from the Ramadan season.

Synopsis

The story follows numerous simple people from the same poor and rural region of Sayala which is located in Bahary, Alexandria. On the other hand, there is a completely different and classy atmosphere, an old billionaire and his family in Cairo. The old man had known that he has a son from a third wife from Sayala which made him feel utterly ashamed of himself. As result, he decides to write his will giving his newly known son the big share of his money and assets, that action made his family so distressed, as they don't even know they have another kid from another wife, moreover, he comes from a much lower social class. So, the events become more complicated when it's about time to execute the will.
The conflicts start when Saleh El-Hamouli decides to disappear. After Maghouri starts to get cash and direct help from others, his life changes into a luxurious style, also his family. On the other hand, Qesmat Hanem and her family couldn't bear the unexpected distribution of money and assets, and the suspicious appearance of Maghaouri, so they start battles legally and through other ways.
The first scene of the series is somehow an overall conception of the events and also the moral philosophy of the story, the scene set in a local cafe in Sayala, and then starts the monologue-wise conversation between an old man and a falsely claimed reporter, the old man spoke frankly and modestly about his long stay in the urban area, his views on the people and how poverty sometimes might create a cooperative little communities and more strong beliefs and ethics, though, the evil always come from many ways. There are many scenes in almost every episode in the show which we can find portraits of these thoughts or even through a blunt dramatic dialogue.

Characters

Maghaouri’s family

Cast