“House of Gods,” a six-part series from Matchbox Pictures that boasts an entirely Arab-Australian cast, showcases the Muslim community of Fairfield, Australia, rarely seen on screen.
“You can’t create something authentic. Audiences are so intuitive and adept that they can smell something a mile away. So we had actors who understood the idiosyncrasies of Arab/Muslim culture, which added an intangible soul to the show,” explains Osamah Sami, co-creator and one of the stars of the show.
“We both grew up in a religious environment where culture, traditions and spiritual beliefs dominated our daily lives. Immigration often strengthens our desire for a stricter adherence to the customs of our homeland.” Co-creator Shahin Shafaei shared: Diversity. “As storytellers, we have previously highlighted the lived experiences of our communities in film and theater. However, through ‘House of God’ we found an opportunity to explore more deeply the ‘living organism’ called community. ”
Osamah Sami's childhood was spent as a refugee in Iran during the Iran-Iraq conflict, a story he later detailed in his award-winning novel “A Good Muslim Boy.”
Likewise, Shahin Shafaei's creative expression in theater in Iran had dire consequences, forcing him to flee. His perilous journey to Australia ended in prolonged detention, including significant periods of solitary confinement following his capture at Ashmore Reef.
The story of “House of the Gods” begins deep in suburban Fairfield with a competition to elect a priest for the local mosque. It's a duel between the liberal Sheikh Mohammad, played by the magnetic Kamel El Basha, and the conservative Seyyed Shaker (Simon Elrahi). A controversial photo threatens Sheikh Mohammad's campaign, but he narrowly wins 4-3, with his son Issa (Osama Sami) corruptly securing victory through vote-rigging, an innocent bargain on the outcome.
The series richly depicts a community that is often oversimplified on screen. “Muslims have been talked about for a long time, but very little was heard or heard. ‘House of God’ is a story about the inner workings of a community that has never been seen this way. And may the diaspora community finally feel seen in all their colors, God willing.” Sami says:
“This is not a sanitary portrayal of Muslims, nor is it intended to promote offensive stereotypes. This is a true portrayal of a community that I truly believe is relatable to everyone. Love, betrayal, and a sense of duty to family are ultimately universal human experiences.”
A particularly striking and refreshing aspect of “House of God” is its focus on the female Muslim experience. Maia Abbas plays Batul, the confident and assertive daughter of Sheikh Mohammad. “These are women we know, love and grew up with. We’re just highlighting the important role they play in our community.” Shaheen says:
Osamah Sami agrees. “They helped us with our schoolwork, answered our stupid questions, and hugged us when we were scared. Unfortunately, the stories we often digest about Muslim or Arab women are stories of oppression and unspokenness. But women in our society are lionesses. And it was our duty to show this truth. Also, how cool is it to see unique women in hijab getting their butts spanked on screen?”
This contains the big theme of coexistence: 'You can respect other people's cultures without accepting them.' We can be proud of our new home, but still proud of who we are.” Kamel El Basha's character preaches at one point in his quest for leadership.
“We may come from different places and have different customs or cultures, but why not celebrate these differences? Why do we choose to see them as thorns in our own identity?” Sami says:
With projects such as the Emmy Award-winning “Safe Harbour” and “Stateless” starring Cate Blanchett, Matchbox Pictures has consistently aimed to elevate Australian productions internationally.
“Creating shows with perspectives and voices that are rarely represented is part of Matchbox Pictures’ DNA.” Debbie Lee, Executive Producer and Script Director at Matchbox Pictures, said: Diversity “We are very proud of ‘House of God’ as a prime example of introducing audiences to a world unfamiliar to them – a world with complex, specific, and relatable characters. I truly believe that the more specific you make something, the more universal it becomes, and I think that's what makes this show so globally appealing. “It’s important to tell these stories, but ‘House of God’ wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our Australian ABC partners.”
Shaheen summarizes ‘House of the Gods’ as ‘a family drama that happens to be set in a mosque.’ It's a fun show filled with complex family dynamics, power struggles, and workplace conflicts. It’s an exploration of all this and the cultural nuances of a community trying to make the new countryside their home.”
It had its international premiere at Series Mania in France this week and was recently broadcast on ABC Australia. Matchbox Pictures is part of Universal International Studios, part of the Universal Studio Group, so NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution handles international sales.