Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi bets on "When I See You"... and continues rehearsals for "Don't Say a Word"

“When I See You”: A New Dramatic Experience That Kuwaiti Artist Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Muslem Is Betting On to Present Kuwaiti Drama from a Different Angle, Leveraging the Rapid Transformations in Visual Content and Targeting an Audience Increasingly Attached to Short, Fast-Paced Works That Rely on Intense Pacing and Cinematic Imagery.

The series is currently airing on the digital platform “Sirah” in 50 episodes and has been translated into five languages. It represents one of the first Kuwaiti attempts to adopt the “short drama” or vertical short-form drama format, with each episode lasting approximately one and a half minutes, aligning with the nature of modern digital viewing. The work is also available with subtitles in several languages, a move that opens broader opportunities for Kuwaiti production to reach audiences beyond the Arab region.

Al-Muslem, who wrote, scripted, and dialogued the work while also starring in it, presents in “When I See You” a social treatment imbued with mystery and suspense. The story follows a wealthy man who loses his sight in an accident, marking a new phase in his life where his relationships with others change and the masks surrounding him fall away, revealing the true nature of those around him.

The concept goes beyond blindness as a dramatic event, extending into a deeper space concerning human insight and how a person can see their surroundings more clearly when they lose one of their most vital senses. Thus, the work places its characters in real tests that expose their stances, intentions, and the crises of human relationships and interests when power balances shift.

Al-Muslem stars alongside a number of artists, including Shahab Hajja, Mai Al-Balushi, Khaled Busafr, Abdullah Al-Muslem, Kafah Al-Rajab, Shaima Qambar, Omar Al-Yaqoob, Yousef Al-Mutair, and Fahad Al-Falah, along with a group of other artists.

Visually, “When I See You” bets on a filming style different from the traditional molds common in Arab dramatic production. It relies on cinematic cameras and lenses dedicated to films, employing a visual language inspired by aspects of global and Korean drama experiences. This aims to give the short episodes greater density in terms of image, movement, and editing, so that each minute and a half becomes a complete, event-packed dramatic space.

For Al-Muslem, this experience represents an extension of his journey in seeking new formats, especially since drama is clearly shifting from traditional long-form series to short content capable of reaching audiences via digital platforms. From this perspective, he believes that “When I See You” offers not just a short series, but an attempt to develop the form of presenting Kuwaiti dramatic stories in a way that suits the digital age.

Concurrently, Al-Muslem continues rehearsals for the theatrical play “Ya Habibi La Taquli Wa La Aqulak” (Oh My Love, Don’t Say and I Won’t Say), which reunites him with artist Dr. Tariq Al-Ali after a 38-year absence. The play, written and directed by Mohammed Al-Humli and featuring Abdullah Al-Khader and Abdulmohsen Al-Omar, will be staged at the Salamiya Club theater next September. This experience adds a new milestone to Al-Muslem’s artistic agenda in the coming period, particularly given the diversity of his projects between digital drama and theater, and his commitment to continuing to present experiences with a distinct character.