Those working on the new television drama series “Asmahan” are racing time to finish filming the new drama series by the upcoming Ramadan season.
The new series is about the life of the late singer “Asmahan,” from her birth to her mysterious death. The satellite channel MBC will air the new series exclusively. There were numerous delays in the filming because the new series is a large production. Over 259 actors are staring in it, 165 actors from Egypt alone, Lebanon and Tunisia.
The new series was written by Mamdouh Al Atrash and Qamar Al Zaman Alooush, and the scenario by the Syrian writer Nabil Al Malih and Egyptian writer Basyouni Othman.
The Tunisian director Shawqi Al Majri will direct the new series.
According to the London daily Elaph, Syria actress Solaf Fawakhrji will take the leading role of the late singer “Asmahan,” Abed Fahed will play the role of “Hasan Al Atrash,” Firas Ibrahim the role of “Fouad Al Atrash.”
Amal Riziq, from Egypt will play the role of “Aminah Al Barodi,” Yousif Shaaban the role of “Ahmad Hasaneen,” and Ahmad Shaker Abed Al Latif will play the role of the late singer’s brother “Farid Al Atrash.”
Producer Ismail Kutkut is extremely happy with the new series. He said the family members of Asmahan were helpful.
Production costs of the new series have reached US$3 million.
The late singer had a strong romantic voice and became famous throughout the Arab World. Asmhan only sang 40 songs in her short music career.
She was born Amal Al Atrash on a ship heading from Greece to Beirut in 1917.
Her father was prince Fahed Farhan Ismail Al Atrash from the mountains in Syria and her mother Alia Al Minther from the city of Hasiba in Southern Lebanon. It is known that her father was connected to the Syrian revolution against the French occupation; therefore, he was exiled from Syria and moved to Egypt with his family.
Asmahan started singing at age 13 with her brother. She recorded a record for only 20 Egyptian pounds at the time. She then married her cousin prince Hasan Al Atrash and gave birth to her only daughter Camila.
Asmahan spent four years away from her music career. When she returned it caused problems with her husband. He eventually divorced her.
She then stared in a number of musical films, as well as a romantic relationship with the Egyptian king’s secretary Ahmad Hasan Basha.
Many believed that Asmahan was a spy for the British forces in Egypt. Her death is still a mystery until today.
