The Byzantines are preparing for a new invasion of the islands under our control
It's not unlikely that their goal is to reclaim Acre or Alexandria
We didn't build this fleet just to transport troops
Allah Akbar!
Making Mu'awiya was truly a dream come true
Allah Akbar!
Mu'awiya is, in fact, a central and pivotal figure
He played a key role in the establishment of the Islamic State
Mu'awiya was the first to lay the foundation for a modern Islamic state
Mu'awiya series was full of challenges
This historical project had unique circumstances and a sense of tension
We conducted extensive research to complete the project, it was no small feat
At first glance, it seemed...
frankly, daunting and overwhelming
The story of Mu'awiya is really something completely amazing
We didn't just have a post-production team
We had an entire army of skilled technicians
They each contributed their expertise to make Mu'awiya a resounding success
Mu'awiya
Mu'awiya series is like a dream
and by that, we mean a massive ambitious drama production
MBC brought this vision to life
The journey to prepare for this dream spanned over a decade
- Mu'awiya series tells the story... - "Hana Al-Omair"
of the founder of the Islamic State after the era of the Caliphate
There are undoubtedly major highlights in this project
It's one of those projects where exceptional resources were allocated
Didn't you hear the Messenger of Allah when I stood with him on Uhud...
Abu Bakr and Omar were with us
He struck the mountain and said...
"Uhud, be firm"
It's easy for any researcher, historian or writer to claim historical accuracy
but uncovering what truly happened in history is far more challenging
In fact, any team of screenwriters might expect...
to face criticism from historical reviewers scrutinizing their work
But our team, and I in particular welcomed the historical scrutiny
because it helped resolve the major conflicts found in the historical accounts
The decisions made regarding the narrative were reassuring
The biggest challenge was striking a balance between historical accuracy
and artistic appeal
As writers, we're naturally drawn to beauty over strict scientific rigor
We chose to focus on what was agreed upon by historical sources
Especially when dealing with such a unique and influential figure
A figure who changed the course of Islamic and Arab history
Mu'awiya avoided war, preferring to achieve his goals through politics
He also harbored a grand vision
to expand Islamic lands from east to west
There's no doubt that this is a monumental production for MBC
It employed techniques that set it apart from traditional Arab historical dramas
The series also adopted a unique narrative style
It was completely different even in terms of filming
unlike anything produced before
Where could we film such a project? And who could execute it?
What kind of technical team would be needed?
What technologies were required?
When they sent me the story
I thought it to be a great story and powerful
It is an epic character to us so you know we wanted it epic...
which makes it very interesting for a cinematographer, you know
We are looking for this kind of project
My experience with MBC is very good from overall
and I like working with them they are, I would say professional
so this is my first historical project of this scale
So, I was supposed to read the script and also read the...
like historical things about it
and it was quite interesting I liked it a lot
We faced challenges in different dialects
This is because the Levantine dialect differs significantly from the Moroccan
You were on your way to Saffin with your faith guiding you
But now, you and your worldly desires have taken precedence over your faith
- Even during casual conversations... - "Nayef Al-Dhufairy, Actor"
We were discussing the themes of the series
Come on, everyone!
I've been analyzing and reflecting on this for months
Of course, Arabic-language series...
I feel they have the power to unite Arabs
As they are meant for the entire Arab world
Celebrity actors...
were surprised when we asked them to deliver their lines in Classical Arabic
My Lady, the orders are clear no one is to leave...
The Classical Arabic test is no easy task
Our original plan was...
to bring together stars from across the Arab world
This beautiful blend of Arab artistic stars in this project
and working alongside them as an actor helped me refine my craft
People...
who worshipped Muhammad...
Muhammad has passed away
but those who worship Allah...
Allah is eternal and will never die
The biggest audio challenge was the ADR
We re-recorded many actors' voices to ensure proper pronunciation
This required renting 10 studios worldwide
to re-record the voices of all the actors
Let's create a drama based on what we all agree upon
without altering or omitting the facts...
or distorting historical truths
From the start, we chose an experienced producer
with a long track record in the field
We studied the project's requirements from the very beginning
I revisited the script multiple times to simplify and break it down
Frankly, the production journey of Mu'awiya was incredibly complex
Each episode felt like a standalone film
We checked all the Arab region surrounding us...
to explore where our research journey would lead
It took us to many countries, all the way to the borders of Kazakhstan
then to the edges of Siberia before returning to Azerbaijan
We then moved to Georgia where we began preparing for the project
However, we discovered that Georgia lacked sufficient filming locations
The technical crews were also inadequate
We considered utilizing Jordan's stunning desert landscapes...
and Georgia's lush greenery, but ultimately continued our search until Armenia
Finally, we settled in Tunisia, where we found the perfect locations for the project
Tunisia provided the ideal setting to film this series
with its abundant resources, it was the perfect place to bring this project to life
Show them this way
- Constantinople? - Constantinople
No doubt that Lojain Ismail is honored to portray such a significant character
It's a tremendous responsibility to carry
Prepare the catapult again
We had a script, historical data and real-life characters to work on
Our task was to bring those characters to life for the audience
We must stand shoulder to shoulder for our own safety...
for our children and for all parts of Syria
Welcome
Scene 3, take 2
Okay, ready
and action!
Whenever I say that I am playing the role of Ali Ibn Abi Talib...
there would be a sense of awe on the receiver
But I believe historical drama is just as important as historical texts
This is a historical era and we must explore it
Say what you want, Mu'awiya
If it's within my power I will make it happen for you
If you allow me to build the first fleet for the Muslim armies...
the Byzantines will never be able to defeat us again
His personal qualities were drawn from his historical journey
Through his his historical journey and the collection of accounts...
that are confirmed and documented in numerous references
You'll discover that this man was dignified, strong, just
wise and deeply human
Amer... Sawda
is a fictional character not based on historical records
but when you consider the reality of that era...
and the historical context...
It makes sense that a character like her would exist
because she's tied to figures who were historically significant
I read and studied the character of Abdul Rahman Ibn Awf...
"Nezar Al-Sulimany, Actor"
I realized his appearance and stature were nothing like mine
Praise be to Allah
and blessings from Allah upon those He has chosen
Amr is historically known as a leader and Governor of Egypt
Amr Ibn al-Aas went through many stages in his life...
from the age of 25 until he was 93
Ongoing charity...
and beneficial knowledge...
and a righteous son who prays for him
From the very beginning I was deeply impressed...
by the sheer number of people involved in the preparation
from horse riding training to learning Classical Arabic...
even the acting coaches
I loved it so much, it felt like...
we were part of a big workshop
Another massive project the costumes
You rarely see such intricate and detailed costumes
When actors put on their costumes and hold their props on set...
It helps them connect deeply with their characters
We designed a massive collection of clothing featuring over 18,000 pieces
in addition to shields, helmets and accessories...
all supervised by the talented artist Hala Shehab
Every stitch had to be precise...
We had about 65 people behind the scenes
They've been with us since the start of filming
This isn't a documentary it's a work of art
We have a dyeing workshop and another for aging costumes
The back of the dress is made of leather, as is the front
Or repairing leather garments immediately after battle scenes...
to keep them usable until the end
A series like this has a huge cast at least 150 characters
I didn't want to add unnecessary elements like fake beards...
or long hair, as was common in older productions
I wanted the look to feel as natural as possible
and to stay true to historical accuracy
We worked hard to finalize the character designs
They needed to reflect changes across different historical stages
since the characters appear in multiple eras
and action!
Fakihta!
Even the smallest details, like jewelry...
hairstyles, accessories and more...
were carefully designed to help viewers understand the timeline
Mu'awiya's character spans from age 25 to 75
Capturing his appearance across these stages was incredibly challenging
I feel like we...
are making a series on par with productions in America or London
Everything was available to us
An international team was also brought in for explosives and special effects
Three...
two...
There were many complex tasks that required a global team
We chose an exceptional production designer, Renato Cseh from Hungary
The construction is a main part in our department
the set decoration and the props
I truly enjoyed creating these different kind of sets
and also I really enjoyed the historical part of it
like we have to do this research
and we have to look for the proper type of fabrics, the proper type of carpets
what we can use and what we cannot use
It's very exciting to look into these details
Mu'awiya series features more than nine cities
Could we realistically build nine cities?
How should we construct these cities and deliver them on schedule
and the plan for the project?
How do we alter the city's appearance across different historical stages?
How did the filming locations transform?
It was so incredible that even as an actor, I couldn't believe it
How did they manage to change the location from Mecca to Medina?
And how much that helps actors feel like they're truly in that place
The feeling of being transported to a specific era...
I think I've seen the most stunning filming locations
and props and set designs in this series
We wanted to build a set that truly represented Medina...
during the period around 15 AH
then in 34 AH, and later in 56 AH
We made many script changes after seeing the incredible filming locations in Tunisia
When we saw the palace and residential quarters...
Many of the story's events were altered for the better
We revised the script to match the grandeur of the locations and sets
The most challenging task was building the ships
We brought in ships and modified them...
based on historical records and references from that era
Should we build 30, 50 or even 100 ships?
Or build just three and use visual effects to multiply them?
We would rehearse extensively before filming any battle scene
We worked on choreography on actual filming locations
So, be focused, guys, be focused
Try to
and... action!
We arrived at the filming location 20 days early to practice horse riding
Especially since some of us hadn't done historical roles in a long time
We also trained to ride camels and practiced combat techniques
This is one of the first times I've seen this level of preparation in the Arab world
- Allah Akbar! - Allah Akbar!
When I trained for the battles...
I felt much more confident going into the shoot fully prepared
It's the first time I've seen horses...
move on cue when the director says, Action!
These are exceptionally well-trained horses
Three, two, one... action!
Attack!
There's no series in the Arab world...
that has depicted ten battles...
with the level of professionalism this project has achieved
We had to stage battles...
involving 40 to 45 thousand participants
We had to deliver a project of this massive scale
After I was offered the role...
I read about Ziyad Ibn Abih and was amazed by his story
He's a remarkable and historically significant figure
Unfortunately, I was among those...
who didn't know much about him before
If we have no choice but war...
then we must prepare for it
We aimed to create the right combination
pairing a top director with a world-class battle director
We can't present battles the way we did ten years ago
My duty here was to create the big battles of Mu'awiya's
Like the battles of Badr and Hunayn...
Yarmouk and Saffin...
and then the biggest one which is the Battle of the Masts
which is the one we're filming
The main thing for me on this battle was to make everything looks real
so that means less high-speed shots...
more handheld camera
and more to be inside the fight instead of outside
Let's go!
Strike with all your might, men of Allah!
Come on, quickly, quickly!
Every battle has its own unique case
and requires its own preparations and details
We designed and tested numerous weapons
Filming a single battle was a monumental task
is equivalent to ten days in drama filming
It was inevitable that we'd hire a visual effects team
They were essential for achieving the scale we envisioned
especially for a project as massive as Mu'awiya
The amount of visual effects in Mu'awiya was enormous
That's why we partnered with the German company VFX Hog
They distributed the workload across 12 companies worldwide
from Taiwan to Los Angeles and Vancouver
We had over 2,500 shots
One of the biggest challenges was planning and managing the workload
across all post-production departments working on the project
We had to film over a thousand hours of mockups for each soldier and horse
with state of the art technologies for real-time rendering
AI-driven textual backgrounds...
Advanced simulations and auto rigging
and cloud-based collaboration with all vendors
The Battle of the Masts is the largest naval battle ever depicted
in Arab drama and cinema
Battle of the Masts is a very complex over-water battle and under-water battle
There's fire on water, archers and soldiers fighting
So, we hired a company specializing in this type of battle
to bring our vision to life both creatively and technically
Over 11,200 stunt performers worked on this project
A team of professionals was involved in every battle
from specialized cinematographers to an underwater filming team...
and a team of divers to ensure the safety of the actors...
during scenes involving drowning or falling into water
Preparing to film naval battles requires more effort than other battles
because of the intricate details involved
Especially when simulating rain on the sea surface...
or storms and thunder on ships
We always had four or five ambulances on standby with medical crews
Especially during battles to handle any potential injuries
Lojain broke his hand during one of the battles
Even though we had all the necessary safety measures in place
You know, I wasn't spared from injuries during the battles
Nevertheless, Lojain insisted on continuing filming the very next day
Every specialized team involved in this project...
gave their absolute best at every moment
In our line of work, we're used to change and unexpected challenges
So, we always have a main plan and a backup for emergencies
There is no power or strength except with Allah
In severe weather conditions, you need...
alternatives to your usual filming approach
I remember that we faced a severe storm
and wind speeds reached nearly 120 km per hour
It damaged the green screens we had set up
over 100 meters long and 10 meters high
despite all our precautions
While filming the Battle of Siffin...
heavy rain and strong winds hit us
tents were destroyed, and the horses and extras were affected
My biggest concern throughout the project was keeping the team safe
In all our projects...
we focus heavily on training young talent
especially those from the MBC Academy
We're proud to say that in Mu'awiya...
We trained about 48 young men and women from Saudi Arabia
They worked across various stages and specialties
Some assisted the cinematographers while others worked with the directing team
Some joined the production team and others worked on set design
while others collaborated with the costume and makeup teams
- What sets this project apart... - "Iyad El-Rimawi, music composer"
is our complete reliance on cinematic techniques
We recorded the music at Smecky Studio in Prague, Czech Republic
It's one of the top studios used for Hollywood films
It is one of Europe's most renowned orchestras...
The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
It's a massive orchestra with over 70 musicians
Along with a large number of traditional Eastern instruments
and singers who recorded their parts in Damascus
A project like this requires diverse elements...
to create a unique identity that suits the story
I poured a lot of effort into crafting musical themes
that we hope will last
Mu'awiya is part of a larger project by MBC Studios
to produce historical Arab dramas
covering different eras of Arab history
from the pre-Islamic era...
to the time of the Prophet
It also includes the stories of prominent Islamic figures
Mu'awiya
We've wrapped up Mu'awiya
I enjoyed filming in all conditions rain, fire...
heat, cold, darkness and light
I prefer playing antagonistic roles because they feel more dynamic as an actor
They have multiple layers
but playing the hero can be exhausting for me
I'm a little worried about that
The sunlight is gone again
I think we'll need to reshoot the scene
If it returns, we'll complete the scene
- if not, we'll call it a day - Cut