New edition of 'al-Dinyeh Heik' revives stories of Beirut

By Nohad Topalian in Beirut
For Al-Shorfa.com
2010-08-30

[NOHAD TOPALIAN/Al-Shorfa] The revival of 'al-Dinyeh Heik' features some cast members from the original series along with several new actors.

Twenty seven years after recording the last episode of al-Dinyeh Heik in the studios of Tele Liban and following many reruns, the popular series has resumed on LBC channel but with a revamped and modern version.

Al-Dinyeh Heik, which started airing during Ramadan, features many changes especially in the show's original cast. Many actors from the original series are now deceased, from the writer Mohammad Shamel, who was famous for his role as the mayor, to Layla Karam, Elias Rizk, Feryal Karim, and Majed Afyouni.

In the revamped edition of al-Dinyeh Heik, actor Michel Abou Suleiman, who wrote most of the episodes, plays "Aziz al-Salamanke". Prominent actor Omar Mikati now plays the mayor, Betty Tawtal plays "Warde al-Saghira", and Ghassan al-Rahbani is "Boulbol Afandi".

Layal Daou plays "Zmerrod" and Raymond Saliba takes on the role of "al-Dirwandi".

The new version of al-Dinyeh Heik also features several returning cast members: Youssef Shamel as "Alloush", Amal Ofeish as "Shuwikar", Youssef Fakhri as "Koukou" and Ziad Makkouk as "Khordok". (Makkouk passed away recently from a heart attack.)

The company "New Look Stars" produced the new version of the show.

"We shot this show three years ago after our company bought the rights from the heirs of its writer Mohammad Shamel," director Boudi Maalouli told Al-Shorfa.

"After artist Ghassan al-Rahbani revived the song 'al- Dinyeh Heik' with the 'Four Cats' band, Ghassan and I, along with actor Michel Suleiman and director Nabil Asmar, happened to be meeting. We wondered why could not revive the show and that is how it started," he said.

In the new "al-Dinyeh Heik", Maalouli said, "We introduced a group of the best Lebanese actors, in addition to the band that performed the song. We opened a restaurant in Ain al-Mreisseh called 'al-Dirwandi Coffee Shop' and shot our episodes in it. Until this day, its doors are still open to the public. As for the scenario and the script, they were written by actors Michel Abu Suleiman and Youssef Shamel."

Maalouli said that among the reasons that motivated him to revive the show were memories of watching it with his parents.

He said that the current revival extends over thirty episodes and that they are already preparing a sequel written by Youssef Shamel.

Youssef Shamel told Al-Shorfa, "Michel Abou Suleiman wrote twenty two episodes. Afterwards we came up with the ideas together and the last two episodes carry my signature."

"We tried to modernise 'al-Dinyeh Heik' because the last episode aired in 1983," he added.

"One cannot say that 'al-Dinyeh Heik' in its new version is Mohammad Shamel's. Although I am his son, I do not write like him. I tap into my reservoir of the Beiruti environment in which I lived."

He said he was happy to play Alloush again.

Michel Abou Suleiman said that in writing scripts for the show, he tackled issues seen in Lebanese society.

"We have tried to maintain the spirit of the old show, so that what we are presenting is an extension of it. We wanted our children to watch it with us just like we watched it with our parents when we were children," he added.

As for playing Aziz al-Salamanki, Abou Suleiman said: "I am not imitating him but I remained close to him in terms of his spontaneity. I am presenting the new generation of Aziz al-Salamanki. We are all playing our roles in a modern way."

Betty Tawtal who played "Little Warde", said, "I worked from all my heart to perform the role of Little Warde who is supposed to be the daughter of Layla Karam because no one can replace this esteemed actress. I accepted this role because I consider it to be part of the Lebanese heritage and of our collective memory. My duty is to play the role the best way possible."

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