Al-Zaeem (Arabic: الزعيم|lit='''''The Boss''''')[1] is a political satirical play consisting of nine scenes. The play was written by Farouq Sabri, and starring Adel Emam, Ahmed Rateb, Youssef Dawoud, and Ragaa Al Geddawy. The play was first performed in 1993. The play talks about Zeinhom, a simple man who could not hold out in any business for long time because he looks like his country's President (Al-Zaeem). Unfortunately, Al-Zaeem is an unpopular dictator. Zeinhom gets a job, which is to become an actor and plays a secondary role as a thief in foreign Funded movie that is being filmed locally, Which leads him to serious consequences.
The play makes a strong mockery of post-modern rulers in Arab countries (after World War II). The play was banned in several Arab countries such as Tunisia and Libya.[2] There were reportedly attempts by former Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi to assassinate Adel Imam, as Adel Imam imitated Gaddafi in a sarcastic way in the first scene in the play.[3]
The play garnered praise for its daring critique of oppressive regimes and the stellar performances delivered by its cast, earning admiration from audiences. However, it also faced backlash from authorities, with some rulers prohibiting the sale of tapes and CDs of the production within their countries. Running from 1993 to 1999, the play drew inspiration from Charlie Chaplin's film "The Great Dictator."
Its title became a nickname for Adel Emam, the lead actor, who became affectionately referred to as “The Leader” (Arabic: الزعيم) or “The Leader of Comedy” (Arabic: زعيم الكوميديا) cementing his status as a prominent figure in the world of theater.
Amidst the tumultuous backdrop of an Arab nation oppressed by dictatorship, unfolds the captivating tale of Zeinhom, a modest cinema extra whose life takes an unforeseen trajectory when he becomes entangled in the affairs of the despotic ruler. Zeinhom, leading a simple existence on the fringes of the film industry, finds himself unexpectedly linked to the ruler due to an astonishing resemblance. As rumors of the ruler's demise echo through the corridors of power, opportunistic statesmen seize upon Zeinhom's likeness as a means to maintain control. With the ruler's death imminent, they orchestrate a scheme to install Zeinhom as a puppet leader and a compliant figurehead, a figurehead to preserve their grip on power.
However, fate intervenes once more when the dictator's last act is to order Zeinhom's arrest. Before the decree can be carried out, the ruler breathes his last, leaving his inner circle scrambling to salvage their interests. In a daring gambit, they thrust Zeinhom into the limelight, presenting him to the throne.
From cinema extra to unwitting sovereign, Zeinhom's journey takes an unexpected turn as he is thrust into a world of political intrigue and manipulation. As he grapples with his newfound role, he finds himself ensnared in a web of deception and duplicity. Yet, amidst the chaos of power struggles and betrayals, Zeinhom's desires remain simple. All he ever yearned for was a stable job and a modest income, his aspirations tethered to the mundane realities of life. But now, destiny has cast him in a role beyond his wildest dreams, forcing him to navigate treacherous waters where every step could mean the difference between life and death.
As Zeinhom reluctantly assumes the mantle of leadership, he is haunted by the specter of his own inadequacy. Can a man of humble origins rise to the challenge of ruling a nation torn apart by strife and oppression? Only time will tell as Zeinhom grapples with the weight of responsibility thrust upon his unsuspecting shoulders.