The New Netflix series based on the chaotic world of the 1980s Kuwait stock exchange created a huge buzz soon after it was released on February 8th.
The series’ first season consists of 6 episodes that have been immensely loved by the viewers, leaving a query behind over the inspiration of ‘The Exchange’, whether it is based on a real-life story or not. Well to those who have already have they already knew the answer, however, for those who don’t the answer is Yes.
The Exchange is the first Netflix original to come from the Middle East country Kuwait. The series is set in 1987, three years before the invasion of Saddam Hussein, the show is an empowering tale of two women taking on the stock exchange. The six-episode story takes audiences into the complex world of investment with a compelling plot and great production design.
The series, which is said to be another addition to the streamer's slate of Arabic Original content, explores the tale of two women Farida (Rawan Mahdi) and Munira (Mona Hussain), the ever-competitive cousins who are effortlessly good at mathematics and have eyed to take on Kuwait’s hectic stock exchange.
The story takes the viewers 40 years back which is set in the backdrop of the Kuwait Stock Exchange’s chaotic world. It’s created and written by Nadia Ahmad, Anne Sobel, and Adam Sobel and stars Rawan Mahdi and Mona Hussain as Farida and Munira trying to make their way in a male-dominated landscape.
While interacting with the media Ahmad revealed: “I grew up in Kuwait, surrounded by empowered women who were pioneering industries, especially in finance.”
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She went on to add, "They demanded to be heard and succeeded, breaking into the workforce and blazing new trails for future generations. The Exchange is my love letter to them, bringing an amalgamation of them to life in Farida and Munira in a new and exciting way.”
Farida is divorced recently and trying all she can to provide for her daughter, while Munira is a clerk for the Bank of Tomorrow’s trading division. The story follows as they navigate this boys' club that is increasingly corrupt, on a mission to strive to change it for the better while also having to navigate a workplace (and wider attitudes) that is far too set in its ways.
The series has been directed by Jasem AlMuhanna and produced by Abdullah Boushahri, who while revealing more about the series, said: “Having grown up in Kuwait and being surrounded by independent women my whole life, this production is one that is close to my heart.”
He ended his take on the series saying, “Rawan and Mona perfectly depict the struggles women experienced back in the '80s and I can’t wait for the world to see their characters' story unfold. Besides the plot, I am excited for the audience to see how we brought this era to life, which brings together local and international expertise in a high-production masterpiece, shot and produced entirely in Kuwait.”