Netflix’s latest Arabic series Finding Ola is well-written and smartly directed.
More importantly, it carries the message that there is life after divorce, there is a second chance after marital break-up.
Twelve years after Ayza Atgawwiz (I want to get married, 2010), when Ola Abdel Sabour (Hend Sabry) was desperately looking for her Prince Charming, she is a mature divorcee in Finding Ola. Her husband wanted to part company with her because he was bored.
Instead of being broken and depressed, the mother-of-two makes up her mind to start anew. Her divorce allows her to find herself again and give her a second chance to create the life she deserves.
The series is based on characters created by writer Ghada Abdel Aal. The screenplay is by Abdel Aal and Maha el-Wazir, showing how Ola’s character has changed and developed over the years.
In six 50-minute episodes, Ola goes from a wife and mother, who dedicated her life to her family, having left her job and her friends, to a singleton with many responsibilities which she must shoulder alone.
As a pharmacist, she starts a business selling natural creams and cosmetics she used to make at home for friends and relatives. She named her brand ‘Second Chance’.
Released last week, the series is one of the most watched on Netflix.
In the first episode, Ola appears shocked and tries to deal with the trauma. She still cannot believe that her husband wanted a divorce.
She clings onto the hope that he will return to her as the title of this episode suggests Take me back.
In the following episodes, she starts organising her life. Each episode reflects this: Bills to pay, and Fish in the sea when Ola is living a bit and finds a new relationship.
In episode four, 40 is the new 40, Ola celebrates her 40th birthday by doing new things that she always wanted to do: riding a bike and getting a tattoo. The fifth episode is No men, no cry followed by Good ex-wife.
What makes this series different is that it is not just another story about a woman going through divorce and getting over it.
Directed by Hady el-Bagoury, the series also deals with the impact of divorce on children and how it affects them psychologically.
Throughout the series we see both Ola the bright, strong, independent woman, but also Nisreen (Nada Moussa), Ola’s friend who symbolises the liberated woman, who supports her friend.
Omnia, the social media influencer and entrepreneur represents the millennials.
Ola’s mother (Sawsan Badr) portrays a new kind of grandmother in a new way. She enjoys being a star on social media after her photo, which Ola used to advertise her skin care brand Second Chance went viral.
With these successful types, the series tells women that starting over can happen at any age and that the older you get, the wiser and more mature you become.
The most important thing is your will and determination.
