Amazon Prime Takes World Arabic Dramedy ‘Self Modulation’

EXCLUSIVE: Amazon Prime has acquired worldwide rights for Beirut-set dramedy series Self Modulation from producers Falcon Films and Arna Media, in its first ever Arabic TV series acquisition.

The series is the first project in a multi-show deal partly financed by Arna Media, which plans to invest in two projects annually with Falcon Films.

It is produced by Sobhi Sannan, Rami Sannan and Raed Sannan for Dubai and Beirut-based Falcon Films and Nadezda Motina and Aram Hovhannisyan for Moscow-based Arna Media. The ten-part, 50-minute episode series will air in Q2 2024.

The show follows Ahmad, a Syrian man living illegally in Lebanon whose life takes a dramatic turn after witnessing a tragic event. As he navigates his way through a job at a suicide hotline centre, Ahmad’s dreams of fame and recognition lead him down a path of deception and destruction.

The cast features Maxim Khalil (Zaman Al’ar,  Smile, General), Carole El Hajj (Scenario, Not Guilty), Foad Yammine (The Farm, The Insult), Natasha Choufani (Mafkoud, Love Me Not), Leen Gherra (Crystal, Rain Over Beirut) and Abbas Al Nouri (Hanging Gardens, Journey of Eternity).

The series is written by Foad Yammine, Rami Awad and director Mayar Al Nouri, who makes his television directing debut.

“I am thrilled to collaborate with Nadezda Motina on this extraordinary project. When I introduced the concept to Arna Media, they were captivated by its originality, particularly as no similar project has been undertaken, especially within the Middle East region,” said Falcon Films Managing Director Rami Sannan.

“We are eagerly anticipating the imminent release of the series on Amazon and are eager to hear the audience’s response. From the outset, our goal has been to showcase our capability to produce content with global appeal, reaching audiences beyond the Middle East.”

Arna Media President Motina said the project had been born out of long-standing professional relationship with Sannan.

“When I decided to invest in a series for the Middle East market, I could not think of a better partner. I was sure he could create a unique product which will appeal to local and global players. When you see it, you may think this is A24 in Middle East,” said Arna Media President Nadezda Motina.

Falcon Films is an independent production and distribution company working across the Middle East.

To date it has produced more than 15 local films and five series, including for Downtown, which played on Jawwy STC; 8 Days for MBC Shahid, and The Chamber, which debuted on Starzplay Arabia.

On the theatrical front, the company is gearing up for the summer releases of Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 & 2 and A Weekend In Taipei, produced by Luc Besson.