Al Hayba


Al Hayba is a Lebanese-Syrian drama television series directed by Samer Barqawi and starring Taim Hasan, Nadine Nassib Njeim in Season 1. The series first aired on Middle East Broadcasting Center to the Arab world on 27 May 2017. As an Arab Ramadan series, the drama is released during the month of Ramadan. Season 2 was released on MBC in May 2018. Netflix picked up season 1 and provided English, Chinese, Hebrew, French, Spanish, Turkish and Greek subtitles.
The series is set in a fictional Lebanese village of "Al Hayba" near the Lebanese-Syrian border, and is centered around the prominent Lebanese "Sheikh Al Jabal" clan.

Plot

The story follows members of a fictional Lebanese clan, Sheikh Al Jabal, near the Syrian border. The family is part of a larger tribe that has an ongoing historic feud with the Lebanese Al Said clan in the village of Al Hayba. The two families constantly struggle against one another, along with internal strife. The series is in Lebanese standard dialect, Lebanese Baalbek dialect, and the Syrian dialect of Arabic.

Cast

The cast includes a number of well known and novice Lebanese and Syrian actors and actresses.
CharacterActorActor's name in Arabic scriptActor's country of origin
JabalTaim Hasanتيم حسن
Alia Nadine Nassib Njeimنادين نسيب نجيم
Nour Rahma Cyrine Abdelnourسيرين عبد النور
Nahed ImranMuna Wassefمنى واصف
SakherOweiss Mkhallalatiأويس مخللاتي
ChahineAbdo Chahineعبدو شاهين
MonaRozina Lazkaniروزينا لاذقاني
Ali Said Serhanسعيد سرحان
MajdiMichael Houraniميشال حوراني
Dr. GhadaCarla Boutrosكارلا بطرس
Em Chahine Kitam Alahamختام اللحام
RimaZeinab Hind Khadraزينب هند خضرة
Em AliLayla Qamriليلى قمري
Maternal Uncle of Jabal Najah Safkouniنجاح سفكوني
Ghazi Khalid Alsayedخالد السيد
Essa "the attorney"Patrickباتريك
Maryam Valerie Abou Chacraفاليري أبو شقرا

Criticism

Regional stereotypes

In 2018, a lawsuit was filed against the show, alleging that it promoted stereotypes of Baalbek as criminal, including widespread drug use and violence. In response, Cedars Art Production referenced the show's disclaimer that all details are fictional. Viewers have linked the show's fictional setting to Baalbeck due to proximity to the Syrian border, use of regional dialect, and history of familial conflicts.

Representations of women and domestic violence

Lead actress Nadine Nassib Njeim turned down the season 2 contract due to lack of her role's prominence and described the show as a predominantly male story.
Critics claim that an episode in which actor Taim Hasan's character beats his wife Sumaya, played by Nicole Saba, normalizes domestic violence.

Season 1

The events of season 1 take place after the second season chronologically. Season 1 follows the story of Alia, a Lebanese woman that lives in Canada with her son Joe, and her husband Adel. Adel was born to a Lebanese father Sultan Sheikh Al Jabal, and a Syrian mother Nahed. Adel passes away in Canada and based on his wishes is brought to Lebanon for burial. Adel's family are of the prominent Sheikh Al Jabal clan located in Al Hayba Lebanon. When Alia meets her deceased husband's family they want to keep her child with them. Her mother-in-law stipulates that she can only stay with her son if she marries her eldest son, Jabal Sr, Alia's deceased husband's brother. Alia lodges a complaint against the family at the Canadian embassy. Through a series of events, Alia falls in love with Jabal Senior who has many enemies that he, Alia, and his family must face. The season ends with Jabal publicly executing the eldest son of the rival family after causing trouble and leading the police to the village of Al Hayba, all leading up to the events of the third season.

Season 2

Season 2 was released on MBC and MTV Lebanon in May 2018, and included 30 episodes. Nadine Nassib Njeim is not in season 2. The majority of the Season 2 is a prequel to Season 1 when Jabal's father Sultan Sheikh Al Jabal and his brother Adel Sheikh Al Jabal are still alive. His paternal uncle Ghazi Sheikh Al Jabal is not imprisoned. The season provides context for the feudal and interfamilial strife.

Season 3

In September 2018, Season 3 was announced to be another season of Al Hayba, which was eventually released in May 2019, starring Taim Hassan as Jabal Sheikh al Jabal and Cyrine Abdelnour as Nour Rahme, a well-known presenter. in the final episode of the series Jabal Sheikh Aljabal is shot dead inside his car. However, it was confirmed that the scene was Nour's imagination.

Season 4

In 2019, Season 4 was announced to be another season of Al Hayba, starring Taim Hassan as Jabal Sheikh al Jabal and Dima Kandalaft.

Broadcast