Khaled Al-Rafai to Al-Rai: "Awad"... An 8-Episode Serial Killer
After a four-year hiatus from dramatic directing since 2019, Saudi director and producer Khaled Al-Rifai returns to the artistic scene with the seasonal Saudi series “Awad,” currently being filmed in Kuwait. The project represents a short, intense dramatic experience spanning eight episodes, relying on suspenseful and mysterious atmospheres while leveraging filming locations that align with the narrative’s identity.
The work is written by Egyptian writer and screenwriter Mahab Tarek, produced by Allover Group, and features an elite cast including Faiz bin Jarris, Mohand Bakheet, Sultan Al-Nafisa, Abbar Faisal, Fahd Al-Abduli, Hamad Farhan, and Sara Khanakar, among others.
In a special statement to “Al-Rai,” Al-Rifai revealed details about the series, stating: “‘Awad’ is a seasonal dramatic work consisting of eight episodes, which posed a significant challenge for us in translating its details to the screen in a manner that preserves its realism while presenting it within a thrilling dramatic framework. The short nature of the series forced us to focus on every detail of the events and characters, aiming to achieve a coherent narrative that maintains the escalation of dramatic rhythm and offers viewers an experience filled with suspense and excitement throughout the limited number of episodes.”
Regarding the story and events, Al-Rifai outlined its key features, saying: “The series revolves around a serial killer named Awad, who lives in a small village or town where he commits his crimes, causing a state of terror in the area. He specifically targets maidservants, prompting the police to launch a search to apprehend and prosecute him, a goal that is only achieved after many years.”
On his collaboration with Egyptian writer and screenwriter Mahab Tarek, Al-Rifai said: “We were fortunate to work with him, as he has delivered many successful works such as ‘Nemat Al-Advocate,’ ‘Jaafar Al-Amida,’ ‘Esh Esh,’ and ‘Wlad Shams.’ His entry into Gulf drama came through us via the series ‘Awad,’ after we managed to convince him of the idea and involve him in this artistic project.”
He added: “Since the script is one of the most important elements of the production, we ensured it received the necessary time, working on it for over eight months until we reached the final version we aspire to.”
On the artistic aspect, Al-Rifai emphasized that “the production team is keen on using high-end filming techniques, both in terms of equipment and diverse storytelling methods, tailored to the nature and atmosphere of the work. The goal is to deliver an experience that boasts artistic quality in both execution and imagery.”
In the same context, he explained that “choosing Kuwait to film the entire series was due to several reasons, the most important being the availability of filming locations that match the script’s identity, as well as the environmental and visual similarities between the two brotherly countries, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, many scenes will feature specially built sets within the studios located here.”
When asked about the scheduled release date for the work, he said: “The date has not been determined yet, but the production team continues filming intensively to complete the series as soon as possible.”
Commenting on his return to dramatic directing after a hiatus, Al-Rifai noted: “After directing the 30-episode Saudi series ‘Wasiyat Badr’ in 2019, I return to the scene with new ideas and parameters. In particular, what encouraged me most to make this comeback was my desire to undertake a seasonal work experience. Moreover, competition among production companies and directors has intensified, and we are now seeing distinctive works and numerous results, whether Saudi, Kuwaiti, Emirati, or other Gulf dramas.”
He concluded by saying, “I always feel at ease when I present a work that I have both produced and directed, because I hold all the keys at that point, and I do not withhold anything that could impact the creation of the project.”
