Manaf Abdul: My start was with the "Dalq Suhail" groups... I loved the work... and the audience can tell when effort has been put into a production!
Director and producer Manaf Abdul discussed his artistic beginnings, which came about by chance, in an interview on the program “Al-Anbaa Interview,” hosted by colleague Sarah Al-Khudri. He recounted how his cousin, Hussein Al-Ramzi, a cameraman at Kuwait Television, took him to the Finaytis farms, where he found a private farm belonging to the late artist Ahmad Jawhar that had been converted into a filming location for the series “Dalaq Suhail.” There, Abdul met several prominent artists whom he had only known through the television screen, including the late Ali Al-Mufadi, Dawood Hussein, and Abdulrahman Al-Aqal. He emphasized that witnessing the filming atmosphere and seeing these artists in person left him in awe of the world of cinema, before he joined the series’ ensemble cast and discovered his passion for the craft.
After graduating from high school and enrolling in university in the Department of Television Directing, his practical steps became clearer through working with the late director Fouad Al-Shatti on several of his plays. This led to his collaboration with actress Huda Hussein in the play “Jumana and the Gang,” marking the launch of his career in the arts.
During the interview, Abdul affirmed that today’s audience is more aware and can distinguish between a well-produced work and one presented haphazardly. He stated, “The audience is not stupid; they know the difference between a well-funded production and a ‘boiled egg’ [a low-effort, undercooked product].”
Abdul revealed the approach he adopts in the dramatic works he produces and directs, explaining that three essential elements must be present, forming what he considers a necessary “triangle” for any project: quality, cost, and time. He noted that his team is well-versed in his working methods and requirements.
Reflecting on his acting experience, Abdul confirmed that it added significantly to his skills, both in theater and television, particularly through his interactions with major names in the Kuwaiti arts scene. In theater, he worked with the late director Fouad Al-Shatti alongside Huda Hussein, Sahar Hussein, and Fahad Al-Salem. His television experience allowed him to stand before the camera and gain a deeper understanding of performance details through collaborations with giants of Kuwaiti drama, including the late Abdulhaseen Abdulrazzaq in “Souq Al-Maqasees,” the late Haya Al-Fahad in “Jabrut Imraa,” and the distinguished artist Suad Abdullah in “Al-Rahha.” His most recent appearance as an actor was in the series “Rassasat Al-Rahma,” alongside actress Ilham Al-Fadala and the late Abdulaziz Jassim.
