Summary
Jinn is a Jordanian Arabic-language supernatural drama streaming television series, created and executive produced by Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya, Elan Dassani and Rajeev Dassani alongside Christian Bou Chaaya and Lucien Bou Chaaya. The series premiered on Netflix on June 13, 2019. The series stars Salma Malhas, Hamzeh Okab, Sultan Alkhail, Aysha Shahaltough, Zaid Zoubi, Yasser Al Hadi, Mohammad Nizar, Mohammad Hindieh and Karam Tabbaa.
| Jinn | |
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| Genre | |
| Created by |
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| Directed by |
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| Starring |
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| Composer | Etyen[1] |
| Country of origin | Jordan |
| Original language | Arabic |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 5 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Production locations | |
| Cinematography | Fadi Kassem |
| Editor | Daniel Grinspum |
| Camera setup | Single-camera |
| Running time | 25–47 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | June 13, 2019 |
Premise edit
Jinn follows the story of a group of teenagers, who study in a private school in Amman. They go on a field trip to Petra, which is known as home to ancient demons and strange phenomena.[2] The group's lives are disrupted when a spiritual figure appears,[3] accidentally summoned by Mira.[4] They must try and stop Jinn from destroying the world.[3]
Cast and characters edit
- Salma Malhas as Mira
- Sultan Alkhail as Yassin
- Hamzeh Okab as Kerasquioxian (Keras) / Hosni
- Aysha Shahaltough as Vera
- Zaid Zoubi as Hassan
- Ban Halaweh as Layla
- Yasser Al Hadi as Fahed
- Mohammad Nizar as Nasser
- Mohammad Hindieh as Omar
- Karam Tabbaa as Jameel
- Abdelrazzaq Jarkas as Tareq
- Hana Chamoun as Miss Ola
- Faris Al Bahri as Naji
- Manal Sehaimat as Lubna
Episodes edit
| No. | Title | Directed by [3] | Written by | Original release date [5] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Strange Whispers" | Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya | Elan Dassani & Amin Matalqa | June 13, 2019 |
| 2 | "Magic Sand" | Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya | Elan Dassani, Rajeev Dassani & Tiffany Ho | June 13, 2019 |
| 3 | "A Dangerous Funny Feeling" | Amin Matalqa | Elan Dassani, Rajeev Dassani & Dolores Rice | June 13, 2019 |
| 4 | "#JinnHunter" | Amin Matalqa | Elan Dassani & Rajeev Dassani | June 13, 2019 |
| 5 | "Careful What You Wish For" | Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya | Elan Dassani & Rajeev Dassani | June 13, 2019 |
Production edit
Development edit
On February 26, 2018, it was announced that Netflix had given a series order to Jinn, a new television series, directed by Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya, and executive produced by Elan and Rajeev Dassani. The series order was reportedly for a first season of five episodes.[3][6][7][8][9]
On August 13, 2018, it was announced that in addition to serving as director, Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya would also act as an executive producer. Additionally, it was further reported that writers would include Elan and Rajeev Dassani and Amin Matalqa. Elan was expected to serve as head writer while Matalqa was slated to direct two episodes. Production companies involved with the series set to consist of Kabreet Productions and Master Key Productions.[10][11][12] On April 18, 2019, it was announced that the series is scheduled to premiere on June 13, 2019.[13]
Casting edit
Alongside the start of production announcement, it was confirmed that the series would star Salma Malhas, Hamzeh Okab, Sultan Alkhail, Aysha Shahaltough, Yasser Al Hadi, and Ban Halaweh.[10][11][12]
Filming edit
Principal photography began on August 13, 2018 in Amman, Jordan. The shoot was scheduled to last over the course of ten weeks with filming locations including Petra, Wadi Rum as well as a dozen locations in Amman.[10][11][12][14]
Critical reception edit
The show was panned by Middle East Eye as "badly scripted, poorly acted and sloppily directed",[15] while Thrillist called it "generic," "unrealistic," and "confusing."[16]
Jinn has an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, out of six reviews.[17] Positive reviews praised its consistency, intrigue, and novelty factor. Negative reviews criticize the quality of its acting and script.
The series generated controversy for the scenes that feature “moral degradation”. These include two instances where Malhas's character kissed two different men in separate scenes.[18] Another complaint involved the series's rough language.[18] Jinn became controversial in Jordan, with some government agencies threatening censorship.[2] It was reported that Jordan's top prosecutor asked the Ministry of Interior to stop the show's broadcast.[19]
References edit
- ^ "ETYEN scored 'Jinn'- Netflix's first Arabic original series". OneBeat. April 30, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ a b Van Ruymbeke, Laure; Debre, Isabel (June 21, 2019). "Netflix's First Original Arabic Series, 'Jinn,' Stirs Up Outrage in Jordan". Fortune. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
- ^ a b c d White, Peter (February 26, 2018). "Netflix Orders 'Jinn', Debut Middle Eastern Original Series To Launch In 2019". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ "Netflix series 'Jinn' launches at red carpet event in Jordan – in pictures". The National. June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
- ^ "Jinn – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- ^ Aftab, Kaleem (June 13, 2019). "Director Amin Matalqa believes 'Jinn' could 'kick start more shows in the Middle East". The National. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ Gemmill, Allie (February 26, 2018). "Netflix's First Arabic-Language Original Series Sounds So Good". Teen Vogue. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ Rego, Nick (February 26, 2018). "Netflix announces "Jinn" as first Arabic original series from the Middle East". TechRadar. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ Foster, Elizabeth (February 26, 2018). "Netflix marks first Arabic original series with YA drama". Kidscreen. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ a b c Wiseman, Andreas (August 13, 2018). "Netflix Sets First Arabic Original Series: Supernatural Teen Soap 'Jinn'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ a b c Frater, Patrick (August 13, 2018). "Netflix Sets 'Jinn' as First Arabic Original Series". Variety. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ^ a b c Ritman, Alex (August 13, 2018). "Netflix's First Arabic Series 'Jinn' Begins Shoot in Jordan, Unveils Cast". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ^ White, Peter (April 18, 2019). "Netflix Unveils Teaser For Debut Arabic Original 'Jinn' & Sets June 13 Release". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
- ^ Newbould, Chris (August 13, 2018). "Netflix debuts Arabic original Jinn begins shooting in Jordan". The National. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
- ^ "Netflix and the Middle East: How Jinn became a nightmare". Middle East Eye. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
- ^ Shankar, Karthik (July 2, 2019). "Netflix's Supernatural Teen Drama 'Jinn' Is Like a Middle Eastern 'Twilight'". Thrillist. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
- ^ "Jinn: Season 1 on RT". www.rottentomatoes.com.
- ^ a b Haring, Bruce (June 15, 2019). "Netflix Series 'Jinn' Sparks Uproar In Jordan Over Alleged "Immoral Scenes"". Deadline. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
- ^ "Netflix's first Arabic original series sparks uproar in Jordan". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
