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 29
Two dark speech bubbles twist the greeting "peace be upon you" into "darkness be upon you".
- About Reality 30
A TV screen reading NEWS that ends in a drainpipe: the news flows straight down the drain.
- Reflections of the Towers
The city's towers dissolve in dark water, turning into rippling lines of light and shadow.
- Shadow on the Plane Tree
The shadow of a man in a hat falls across a peeling trunk, the figure merging with the bark's patchwork of colour.
- The Wavering Tower
A glass tower swaying on the surface of blue water, like a curtain of light stirring in the wind.
- Towers at Dusk
Upside-down towers glowing in sunset colours over blue water that sinks into darkness.
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.