The Ramadan drama series “Faris Bila Jawad” (Knight Without a Horse) that caused an uproar around the Arab and Western world has turned out to be insignificance. To begin with, the Knight lacked all the characteristics of knighthood to the point of not being able to manage riding a mule. According to the Egyptian daily, Al Gomhuria, the drama lacked meaning in the message supposedly given and in the performance of the actors making it a real disappointment.
The dramatic sequence of the series put audience at a loss for lack of authenticity and incoherence. What were the actors trying to achieve throughout the series? And in what way were the actors hoping to portray their message? And most important, what was the “Message”? A few of the questions that haunted viewers who discovered after watching the series; no knowledge was gained and no facts were given. The only outcome people came out with was that the drama was just a way to kill time, and had no significance especially in the over exaggerated scenes and the many personalities of Mohammad Subhi, the leading actor in the drama.
The daily added that the drama was a far cry from reality. No hidden secrets or actual events were revealed concerning the past. The British colonization in Egypt one of the main themes in the drama series is a part of history that is engraved in the minds and hearts of people there was no need to go to all this trouble to tell people what they already knew.
The numerous roles that Subhi undertook was also a real disappointment making all other actors incompetent of any roles other than minor ones. He was like the “Joker” of the series always popping up with a new face and look. Once someone looks closely into the facts and realize that Subhi was behind every detail of the drama from directing, filming and also adding small tidbits to the script, we understand why he would not allow for anyone else to play any leading role in the series.
Subhi’s interference in the script, directing special effects as well as the tiniest detail in the drama make one wonder whom is the actual screenwriter? Who is the director? And why do all the credits go to Subhi alone? Critics believe that if Subhi had left everyone to do his own job and he just stick to his acting maybe the drama would have been more successful, and maybe more realistic.
Finally, all the uproar and controversial debates that arose due the series were over nothing and had no significant importance. The series lacked anything of importance and offers no facts that are not known to the general public.
It is worth noting that controversial views were not limited to the Jews in Israel and the US, but also extended to scholars in the Arab World. Historians accused Subhi of fabricating facts and invalid historical dates.
The series, written by Mohammed Subhi and Mohammed Baghdadi, and directed by Ahmed Badriddin, also starred Egyptians Simon, Hanaa al Shorbagi, Gamil Rateb, Ashraf Abdel Ghafour, Khalil Murcy and Randa as well as other actors from Syria and Lebanon. - Albawaba.com
