Beyond The Duo

DHS Seniors Hassan and Hussein Al-Maliki Win Four National student production NATAS Student Production Awards for their new film, Beyond the Darkness

Brothers who are also twin brothers directors, and writers.”

WDHS adviser Adam Rauscher said that the twins’ talent did not go unnoticed.

“Hassan and Hussein are the whole package. It’s possible I have had students who are better at camera, editing, or sound, but I have never had any students who could do it all at this level. They are the ultimate craftsmen and masters of every department,” Rauscher said. “It’s hard to talk about the Al-Malikis separately. As a parent of twins, I try hard to make them work separately, but they won’t. Who cares? They do amazing work together. The Coen brothers make their movies together and they are among the best filmmakers working today.”

Rauscher said that the Al-Malikis’ influence on WDHS will be everlasting.

“They are also great mentors. Jacob Head won [a NATAS award] for the camera with them and Adam Garbie won for sound with them. Both students took a big step forward after working with the Almalikis and I can’t wait to see what they do on their own,” Rauscher said. “Our program thrives on students teaching students and it will be difficult to replace Hassan and Hussein as teachers.”

DHS Sophomore and director of photography for Beyond the Darkness Jacob Head said that the twins without a doubt deserve all the recognition they’ve received for their movie.

“Hassan and Hussein have brought WDHS one of the best projects they have had in years and they have the awards to back it up, “ Head said. “Beyond the Darkness wasn’t even finished when they submitted it for NATAS and they still won four.”

As it is the twins’ last year in high school, Beyond the Darkness will be the lasting mark that they leave on our school. To see Beyond the Darkness, its trailer, and all the other published work by the twins, it’s all available to watch on their youtube channel, Malik Productions.

OnApril 23, 2023 executive producers, directors, writers, twins, and DHS seniors Hassan and Hussein Al-Maliki won first place in NATAS Student Production awards for Best Director, Best Editor, Best Audio/Sound, and Best Fiction-Long form for their new film, Beyond the Darkness.

The twins and the rest of their crew started production for the film in Nov. 2022 and was, just like any other WDHS productions film, given only a $500 production budget.

Twin Hassan Al-Maliki said that being able to work with his brother on Beyond The Darkness fueled his passion for the movie. “Working with my brother was nothing new for me. Ever since we’ve shared an interest in making movies we’ve done them together,” Hassan said. “With Beyond The Darkness, we wrote it together, making it is only right to direct it as we both have the strongest and clearest vision for this project.

And helping each other made this passion project come to life.”

Twin Hussein Al-Maliki said he wants to keep growing and improving as a filmmaker alongside his brother.

“Filmmaking was always something we enjoyed doing ever since we were young teens. As we got older we learned that making films was the best way for us to show our creativity and do something that is unique,” Hussein said. “With film making, it gives us a chance to be able to story tell which is something we want to get better at as well.”

Hussein also said that him and his brother don’t plan to end their career in film anytime soon.

“To be able to see your vision come to life is one the most rewarding feelings you ever gonna get,” Hussein said. “In the future, we hope to professionally become Writers and Directors and a big part of our inspiration comes from the Duffer