Crashing Eid: Saudi Netflix comedy explores women's independence

It cleverly orchestrates a dynamic interplay between personal choices and societal norms, a clash of voices where women's individuality takes centre stage against the backdrop of entrenched traditions.

This central theme unfolds with finesse, and the series avoids theatrics, which would have been an easy trap to fall into. It also would have done the subject a disservice.

The show's Arabic title is, itself, a playful wink to a satirical, often humorous expression common across the Gulf to refer to mishaps and awkward moments.

Directed by Palestinian filmmaker Said Zagha and co-written by Ali Alattas alongside Aboushousha and production mastermind Sara Al Ghabra, Crashing Eid is a delightful comedy meant to be enjoyed by the whole family for the short, sweet treat that it is.

It is not meant to be over-thought or over-analysed. No reading between the lines is required. It is what it is: a comedy with a focus on women's independence.

Breaking with tradition

The 'bold' dialogue peppered across the series aligns with the openness of the Kingdom in recent years, especially in entertainment and arts.

This openness, in itself, highlights a misconception about Saudi society. There is, contrary to public opinion, a vibrant artistic movement that tackles controversial subjects with tact, responsibility, and authenticity, reflecting societal nuance.

In Crashing Eid, this is exemplified by Razan's break with tradition in search of her identity, all the while still respecting family values and social customs.

As viewers, we get to know Razan's family, including her divorcee brother Sofyan (Yassir Alsaggaf), tangled up in a legal tug-of-war with his ex-wife over custody of their child.

This subplot sheds light on the struggles that children face as unwitting victims of their parent's separation.

Here, we are reminded of the poignant ending of the Iranian film A Separation by director Asghar Farhadi, when a judge asks the silent, bewildered child which of her parents she wants to stay with following their divorce.

The camera is fixed on the child's face, her eyes offering an answer that speaks more than any words she would have uttered had the movie revealed her answer.

Razan's father, Hasan (Khalid Alharbi), flexible and tolerant, appreciates and understands his daughter's choices and stands by her in her bid for independence.

In contrast, her mother Mona (Amani Aljameel) does not like Razan's decisions, particularly her insistence on divorcing her cousin after suffering domestic violence.

A nod to the issues

When the family discovers Sameer's true identity and the reason behind his sudden arrival, they reject his proposal to marry Razan.

There are laughs to be had as the family then investigates Sameer's background, identity, and religion before eventually giving their blessing to the marriage.

It is a nod to women's choices in the evolving landscape of women's rights in Saudi Arabia, especially when those choices align with societal values.

Beyond championing women's rights, the series hints at another societal sensitivity.

When Sameer's father rejects his son's marriage to a Saudi woman, he cautions him against marrying into a society that views him as inferior, something thousands of Pakistani workers in Saudi Arabia could affirm.

However, the family's acceptance of Razan and Sameer's marriage eventually disproves that claim.

In another scene, after Sameer and Razan finish dining at a restaurant, Razan asks the waiter to pack the leftovers so she can give them to her family's Pakistani driver.

Sameer then insists on ordering a new meal, refusing to give the driver's leftovers. In the storyline, it is a fleeting reference, but enough to acknowledge the broader issue of foreign labour rights in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi foreign labour laws have been overhauled to ensure fair treatment of foreign labourers, which itself is probably an acknowledgement of the problem.

Standout performances

The cast's performances range from OK to excellent. Up-and-coming Saudi actress, writer, and director Summer Shesha shines with her compelling portrayal of Razan.

Shesha is a prominent figure from a young generation of artists shaping Saudi culture. She has received numerous recognitions, including the Golden Palm for Best Actress at the 2022 Saudi Film Festival for her role in the film Kayan.

Shining in the fatherly role is Khalid Alharbi, a multifaceted Saudi artist celebrated for his talent as an actor, director, writer, and producer.

Widely recognised for crafting and directing the beloved children's series Baba Farhan, Alharbi has already secured his place in the annals of Saudi television.

His series Days and Nights, which we wrote and starred in, clinched the prestigious Golden Award at the Gulf Radio and Television Festival in 2012.

Saudi media personality and actor Yassir Alsaggaf also stood out in his portrayal of the jaded brother grappling with the challenges of divorce and separation from his son.

He skillfully conveys the emotions and sentiments of his characters with a natural and spontaneous performance.

Alongside harmonious visual aesthetics under the direction of Jordanian cinematographer Ahmad Jalboush, the musical score, overseen by Suad Bushnaq, helped produce the right atmosphere, an Arabic fusion enriching the dramatic narrative.

Bushnaq, who studied in Damascus and Montreal, is a talented composer of Syrian and Palestinian descent who holds Jordanian and Canadian citizenship.

With over 40 cinematic works to her credit, including the recent film Hanging Gardens, directed by Iraqi filmmaker Ahmed Yassin Al-Daradji, she has earned multiple awards for her outstanding contributions.

In summary, this light-hearted series playfully explores family dynamics and social issues, gracefully skimming the surface of controversial issues without getting lost in their complexities.