SOURCE: FORBES

BY: BEDATRI CHOUDHURY

After the success of Arabic shows like Fauda, Al Hayba, and Jinn, Netflix is all set to release its newest Arabic original series, Dollar, which launches on August 8. The series stars Lebanese comedy star Adel Karam, whose previous works include the 2018 Oscar-nominated The Insult, and the Algerian-Lebanese actor and singer, Amal Bouchoucha, who has previously appeared in Abo Omar El-Masry and El Araab. Last year, Karam became the first Arab comedian to have a Netflix stand-up special, Adel Karam: Live from Beirut.

Set in modern-day Lebanon, Dollar is a 15-episode action drama that revolves around an advertising genius, Tarek (played by Karam) who is tasked with ideating a successful campaign for the launch of a bank. When he thinks he has hit upon the perfect idea, he chooses to share it only with the bank’s CEO. This is where things start turning a little fishy. The bank’s CFO, Zeina (Amal Bouchoucha) has a hunch that something is amiss with the strange deal Tarek wants to strike with the CEO. The show follows her as she tries to navigate her way through this nexus of power, money, and fame and tries to save the day before it’s too late.

Dollar is being directed by Syrian director Samer Berkawi, who has previously directed Al Hayba for Netflix. Speaking about his second outing with the streaming service, Berkawi said in a press release, “I’m truly excited to be working with Netflix on our new series Dollar and am confident that the show will appeal to Netflix’s audiences worldwide. This project is an exciting one, bringing together themes of suspense and drama that showcase Amal Bouchoucha’s onscreen talents, as well as Adel Karam’s versatility beyond the comedy that he is known and loved for.” The series is produced by one of the leading Arabic production companies, Cedars Art Production – Sabbah Brothers, and written by Hisham Hilal.

Dollar, which Netflix hopes to be a hit with Middle Eastern youth,  will be subtitled in 20 languages and will be available to stream in over 190 countries. Other Arabic Netflix originals scheduled to launch later this year include Paranormal and Al Rawabi School for Girls. Paranormal is based on the best-selling books of author Ahmed Khaled Tawfik while Al Rawabi School for Girls is a high-school drama directed by the Jordanian director Tima Shomali in collaboration with writer Shirin Kamal.