With just two episodes, Lam Shamsiya has overtaken the audience. The series has managed to boldly re-open the conversation around child sexual harassment. The events in the first episode have raised numerous online discussions and speculations about the situation. The audience has shared their theories, predictions, research, and personal experiences.
However, we’re only a few episodes in, and many story aspects remain unclear. For now, let’s explore the brilliance of the first episode.
Lam Shamsiya: A Prominent Drama with Important Cause
Written by Mariam Naoum and directed by Karim El-Shenawy, the series cleverly tackles the social issue of child sexual harassment. The crew brilliantly brings to light the realistic situation and signs of a child going through this. It’s also worth mentioning that the crew have used the help of psychological and legal professionals and had thorough training on how to deal with children on sets.
Additionally, Sarah Aziz, founder of Safe Egypt and a member of The National Council of Childhood & Motherhood, was present on set at all times to ensure the safety and mental well-being of Aly, who plays the character of Youssef.
What Lam Shamsiya Stands For
We quickly get the explanation of the title in the first episode from the anthem that Youssef recites. He recounts the descriptions and uses of lam shamsiya and lam qamariah, linking lam shamsiya to secrets and guilt and emphasising its existence without being said aloud. This little anthem served as an excellent metaphor for this series’ topic and how child harassment can be a sensitive issue that often raises stigma and shame when talking about it despite being prevalent and very much existing in society.
Lam shamsiya is never spoken aloud, but it’s always there, as is the common reality of child abuse, where, for the most part, children are unable to verbally state or communicate what they’re going through.
Surrounding Themes and Topics
The theme of unspoken things noticeably extends to the entire series. We get to see some of the main characters also suffer in silence from mental health issues such as nightmares, triggers, or depression, like with Nelly and Rabab.
The story isn’t just told through the script but through the apparent and smart utilisation of visual tools like facial reactions, non-verbal cues, colour schemes, and movement, which cleverly add to the events and enhance the narrative.
Karim El-Shenawy has always managed to utilise the camera to tell much deeper details and signals, where there’s a primary focus on emotions and gestures to narrate crucial parts of the story and quickly indicate the relationship dynamics between the characters.
Artistry Has Been Served with More to Come
Lam Shamsiya couldn’t have been carried out without a harmonious and highly skilled cast and crew who brought these details to life and made it all seem smooth and effortless. With only a few episodes in, we’re all on edge for what comes next, but it’s undeniable that it would be prominent and possibly enlightening for the audience.
