Mamdouh Hamadeh
Screenwriter, Journalist & Instructor in Dramatic Writing — Dramaturgy Academy
A Syrian journalist and screenwriter born in 1959 in the Golan Heights, holding a PhD in Journalism from the University of Minsk. Known across Arab drama as "the architect of black comedy," his work does more than provoke laughter — it dissects social and political reality with a surgeon's precision. His best-known television credits include Diaa Dayaa (2008–2010), Al-Kharabeh (2011), and Mabrouk (2001).
Works
Articles
- The Art of Building a Dramatic Character
How do you make a character of flesh and blood on paper? A journey into dramatic psychology and the three dimensions of character.
- Directing: Seeing Beyond the Text
The director is not merely an executor, but a script's second author. A study of the contemporary director's tools and how to use them.
- A Reading of Syd Field's Screenplay
A comprehensive review of screenwriting's most influential reference book, and a look at its classic three-act paradigm.
- Black Comedy in Arab Drama
An analysis of how tragedy is enlisted to produce laughter, with examples from enduring dramatic works that exposed the unspoken with a smile.
- Writing Dialogue That Breathes
Why does some dialogue read as wooden while other dialogue breathes? Practical notes on writing dialogue that lives.
Literature
- On the Edge of the Abyss
A short story about a moment of reflection before a decision never made.
- Letters Never Sent
A musing on words that turn to stone when they go unspoken.
- Night of the City
A short poem about silence and a wounded song.
- Under a Strange Sky
An exclusive translation of a chapter from "A Stranger in His Own Land."
- The Researcher
A man meets, at a scientific conference in Beirut, the schoolmate he never noticed — and discovers that love can arrive late.
- Dutch Cheese
A boy waits for breakfast and a box of Dutch cheese — then Quneitra falls before he can taste it, and the loss stays with him for life.
Works
- Diaa Dayaa
The iconic comedy that chronicled the life of the fictional village of Umm al-Tanafes al-Fouqa with sharp, deeply observant satire.
- Al-Kharabeh
A social comedy tracking the feud between the Bou Qa'qour and Bou Malha families, dissecting the structure of traditional society.
- Mabrouk
One of the earliest works to spotlight bureaucracy and social transformation with a critical eye.
- Al-Tawarid
A comic Bedouin series about two foundlings raised by the whole Tawarid tribe, now rivals for Wadha's love.
Arts
- About Reality 11
Men push a giant millstone under a red flag, fists raised and throats hoarse, circling in a ring of footprints: a great deal of motion and no progress.
- About Reality 12
A wall of grim players shielding themselves with their hands, while the goalkeeper watches in alarm from the side.
- About Reality 13
An empty cuckoo clock, its little door dark, the yellow pendulum swinging with no bird to announce the hour.
- About Reality 14
A black kettle-shaped figure rolls yellow paint over a cracked tiled wall to hide the damage.
- About Reality 15
A fish reduced to its skeleton, the bait-worms on the hooks gnawing at what is left of it.
- About Reality 16
Two rival powers, yellow and blue, in a tug-of-war over the orange globe of the world.
Library
- Diaa Dayaa — Episode One
The original script of the series' first episode, introducing the people of Umm al-Tanafes al-Fouqa.
- Al-Kharabeh — Episode Ten
The script for the episode covering Abu Qa'qour and Abu Malha's feud over the mukhtar's seat.
Courses
- Screenwriting & Scene Acting
A complete 50-lesson course in screenwriting and scene acting with Mamdouh Hamadeh — from the first idea to the filmed scene.