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Clarification: In this article, we’ve chosen to present the content in a conversational format, simulating an interview with director Mohamed Beriky. This creative approach is intended to bring his insights and vision behind "Deceiving World" to life in an engaging and interactive way, while also serving as an educational tool for those interested in exploring the creative process and AI-driven production techniques behind the scenes of "Deceiving World".
Behind Deceiving World | Part 1: Grammar as a Storytelling Tool, and Narrative Exploration
Host: In the ever-evolving landscape of AI filmmaking and storytelling, few creative works have successfully merged the power of cinematic techniques with cutting-edge AI capabilities. Deceiving World is one of them. Today, we delve into the journey behind this groundbreaking AI-powered music video—exploring its thought-provoking narrative and innovative technological artistry—created and directed by visionary film director and music producer Mohamed Beriky. In the Beginning: Who Is Mohamed Beriky?
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10961063
Mohamed Beriky is an independent film director and music producer, as well as a writer, editor, and educator. Renowned for merging traditional cinematic techniques with innovative technologies, Beriky’s creative journey began in Egypt in 2009 and has since expanded across the Middle East, Europe, and Brazil. He initially worked on major TV commercials for global brands like Coca-Cola, Lipton, and Fairy, as well as music videos for top artists such as Ali Alhaggar.
With a background in social sciences and film studies, Beriky’s portfolio spans internationally acclaimed short films, music albums, and documentaries, including "Adalet" and "Home Times." Known for exploring societal challenges and human resilience, his work stands as a testament to the transformative power of storytelling.
Host: The honor is all ours! Mohamed, your music video "Deceiving World" takes the eyes and mind thought-provoking themes and technical brilliance. Today, we’re thrilled to hear about the journey from concept to completion. Let’s start at the very beginning. Where did the idea for "Deceiving World" come from?
Mohamed Beriky: Thank you so much! It’s an absolute privilege to be here and share the journey behind Deceiving World. This project is deeply personal to me—a reflection of the challenges we face in today’s world and the duality within us all. From the initial concept to the final production, it was a journey filled with creativity, experimentation, challenges, and the determination to overcome obstacles.
The idea didn’t come in a single moment; it evolved over time through observing the complex struggles of our world today—the tyranny of materialism over human rights, escalating wars and conflicts, media distortion, and societal inequalities—all of which shape how we perceive truth and deception.
Initially, Deceiving World began as a song. I wanted it to reflect the internal battles we all face: the choice between confronting the truth through awareness and speaking out, or succumbing to lies and deception through silence. As I worked on the lyrics, the vision expanded, evolving from a song into an AI-powered music video that visually amplifies these themes.
The entire process, from inception to completion, spanned about three to four months, from September to December 2024. The song was released on October 4, 2024, across Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. Immediately after its release, we began work on the music video, which completed production on December 5, 2024. It premiered on our YouTube Artist Channel (Beriky Studios) on December 9, 2024, and on VEVO on December 18, 2024.
Host: Before we dive into the music video, let’s talk a bit about the song itself. Tell us about the lyrics and the songwriting process.
Mohamed Beriky: Songwriting was pivotal. I framed the lyrics as a self-reflective monologue for two personas—the Hero and the Silent Villain—representing the duality within all of us. The Hero symbolizes clarity and action, driven by awareness and the courage to confront deception. The Silent Villain, on the other hand, embodies passivity and denial, choosing silence and escape over accountability. Every word had to align with the overarching narrative, with grammar itself becoming a storytelling tool. This foundation was invaluable when it came to crafting the visualizations later..
Host: What do you mean by saying that grammar itself became a storytelling tool?
Mohamed Beriky: I mean the Grammar in Deceiving World wasn’t just a linguistic choice; it became an integral part of the narrative. It was used intentionally to reflect the psychological and emotional states of the characters and to underline key themes of the story. By manipulating grammar, we were able to symbolize deeper concepts, such as confusion versus clarity, denial versus awareness, and passivity versus action. Beyond fragmented and clear grammar, other subtle linguistic contrasts—like word choices and omissions—played a vital role in conveying character perspectives and advancing the story.
Host: Can you share some examples, please?
Mohamed Beriky: Of course, let’s take an example of Fragmented Grammar vs. Clear Grammar:
The song begins with: “In the mirror, who I see? Is my face? Is really me?” These phrases use fragmented grammar, lacking both the verb "do" and the word "it."
Later, the lyrics are repeated with grammatically correct phrasing: “In the mirror, who do I see? Is it my face? Is it really me?”—now including the verb "do" and the word "it."
According to the directing vision I had in mind while writing the lyrics: the first set of grammatically fragmented lyrics is portrayed as the monologue of the Silent Villain, while the repeated, grammatically correct lyrics become the monologue of the Hero, who speaks out.
The fragmented phrases in the villain's silent monologue serve as a haunting reflection of his denial and passive complicity in a world steeped in deception. This disjointed language, combined with his isolated position high above the city as he gazes at his reflection in a glass tower, creates an immediate sense of unease. Adding to this, he utters only one phrase: “Is really me.” This moment establishes the villain's internal struggle, with his silence as oppressive as the deceptive world he inhabits.
In contrast, the hero’s monologue is a declaration of clarity and determination. Every word reflects his readiness to confront deception head-on. This vision is brought to life through the directorial approach: the hero strides confidently between two buses about to depart near a bus station in a scene rich with symbolism and grounded in realism. As he moves, an imaginary line slides in front of his face—an editing choice that metaphorically represents his mirror, a symbolic barrier between perception and reality. Unlike the villain’s silence, the hero's monologue transforms into loud singing, he is no longer confined to introspection; he becomes a living call to action, embodying the courage to speak out.
This juxtaposition between the fragmented grammar of the villain and the clear articulation of the hero visually and thematically establishes their opposing paths. The villain is consumed by his silence and denial, while the hero’s voice emerges as a beacon of awakening. This narrative contrast propels the story forward from the beginning, inviting viewers to explore their divergent journeys of silence and action as the narrative unfolds.
Host: That’s incredibly profound. Do you have any other examples of grammar choices like this, or is this the only one?
Mohamed Beriky: There are actually many examples of how grammar choices were intentionally used in Deceiving World. Let me share a few key ones:
Destined vs. Set: In the villain's monologue, he uses the word ‘destined’—‘destined in the end to fail’—which implies resignation to fate, highlighting his passive acceptance of failure as inevitable and unchangeable. In contrast, the hero uses ‘set’—‘set in the end to fail.’ This term, inspired by the concept of setting a device, reveals the hero’s awareness of external forces manipulating him, as though societal systems are programming people to fail. This subtle shift underscores the hero's critical perspective and his heightened awareness of societal control.
Distant Places vs. From Distant Places: The omission of ‘from’ in the phrase ‘distant places’ creates deliberate grammatical dissonance, subtly signaling to the audience that something is amiss. Later, the phrase is repeated as ‘from distant places,’ grounding the lyrics and creating a contrast. This progression encourages the audience to reflect on the omission and its purpose, drawing their attention to the message conveyed through these specific lyrics.
Silent over Silence: The use of ‘silent’ instead of ‘silence’ throughout the song personalizes the message, directly addressing the audience and their role in societal deception. The refrain, ‘No More Silent,’ acts as both a call to action and a warning, with the visuals of the villain’s eventual fall reinforcing the consequences of inaction and complicity.
Host: It’s a really genius approach! The attention to detail is remarkable. But let me move to the next step—once the lyrics were complete and aligned with your creative vision, what came next?
Mohamed Beriky: With the lyrics finalized, we moved into the production phase of the song. After producing and mastering it, we released it on October 4, 2024, across major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. From then, I turned my focus to crafting the music video.
Host: Let’s talk about that transition from the audio release to producing the music video. How did you adapt the song into a visual narrative?
Mohamed Beriky: As I mentioned earlier, from the moment I wrote the lyrics, I carefully chose every word to align with the directing vision I had in mind, which would later be reflected in the music video. This intentional approach made Deceiving World rich in both visual and emotional meaning. However, the process was not without challenges—even the audio release presented its own difficulties. While the original track worked well for audio listeners, the repeated lyrics toward the end risked slowing the pacing needed for a visually dynamic narrative to resonate with video viewers. To balance the needs of both audiences, I decided to re-master the track, trimming it by a minute specifically for the music video. This adjustment ensured the narrative built to a powerful and impactful climax without losing its emotional resonance.
Host: It sounds like every step was intentional. After finalizing the track, how did you begin envisioning the visuals?
Mohamed Beriky: IIt all started with scripting and pre-visualization. I conceptualized the Hero and the Silent Villain as dual aspects of the human experience—two contrasting paths that represent how we respond to deception and accountability. I envisioned them as either one person with the same face or two individuals resembling twins or brothers, distinguished by subtle characteristics.
Around these central figures, other characters embody Hero-like or Villain-like traits, showing that we are all interconnected—brothers in a broader sense—with differing roles in confronting or enabling societal falsehoods.
The Hero serves as a beacon of action and clarity, unmasking deception and inspiring others to rise against it. His singing reveals the truth and exposes lies, driving the narrative forward. In contrast, the Silent Villain personifies passive complicity, avoiding responsibility and ultimately being consumed by the chaos he enables, despite his attempts to escape it. Supporting characters, crafted with nuanced Hero-like and Villain-like traits, reflect broader societal struggles and the internal conflicts that define the human experience.
Host: That’s fascinating, Mohamed. The depth in conceptualizing the Hero and Silent Villain is remarkable. Before we dive into the visualization, technical aspects, and your directing vision in detail—which we’ll cover in the second part of the interview—could you share more about the narrative structure?
Mohamed Beriky: The narrative of "Deceiving World" unfolds across five acts, each representing a distinct phase in the battle between truth and deception, action and inaction. These acts guide the viewer on a journey of self-reflection, urging them to examine their roles in societal struggles.
Act I: A Question of Identity
The story begins with the Silent Villain atop a skyscraper, staring at his reflection in a towering glass facade. He is silent, an observer, static in his place, prepared to escape, as we later discover in the conclusion. In contrast, the Hero is introduced near a bus station, walking between two parked buses. He sings, speaks out, and raises his voice to confront deception.
Act II: Exposing a Deceiving World
This act delves into societal failures and injustices. Collapsing buildings draped in UN flags signify the failures of global institutions, while contrasts between homeless individuals and scenes of luxury underscore glaring inequalities. Politicians in lavish halls remain detached, indifferent to the suffering displayed on screens of war and destruction, highlighting leadership’s moral shortcomings. A flooded media studio, submerged in murky water, symbolizes the pervasive spread of lies and misinformation. Meanwhile, the Hero’s voice intensifies, calling for action. These powerful visuals push viewers to confront the consequences of indifference.
Act III: Awakening – The Rise of Awareness
The narrative shifts to a collective awakening, brought to life through key metaphors. A coffee cup transitioning from fullness to emptiness signifies the rejection of comforting lies. Tigers representing the masses evolve into transitional creatures—part tiger, part lion—embodying the move from passive silence to active awareness. A powerful moment features a dinosaur shattering a golden mask of a smiling figure, exposing the hidden face of corruption. The Hero’s refrain, “Stand with truth, choose the right,” becomes a rallying cry as his message spreads through newspapers and digital platforms, signifying the growth of awareness.
Act IV: Climax – Truth Prevails
The city is engulfed by a massive flood, symbolizing the devastating consequences of silence and deception. Among the awakened masses, two figures emerge, leading lions and tigers—a powerful representation of unity and transformation—as they march forward to confront the chaos. Meanwhile, the Silent Villain, still perched atop his skyscraper, makes a desperate attempt to escape by parachuting. However, his efforts prove futile, and he succumbs, falling into the flood. This act drives home the message that complicity and inaction inevitably lead to downfall.
Act V: Resolution – Speaking Out Over Staying Silent
The Hero returns to the bus station, the very place where his journey began. This setting underscores the idea that transformation requires a change in perspective and courage, not a change in location. The Silent Villain’s fall into the flood is juxtaposed with the Hero’s triumphant refrain, “No More Silent.” This final act serves as a poignant reminder that silence fuels destruction, while action and accountability pave the way for renewal and justice.
Through these five acts, the narrative evolves from self-reflection to a broader exploration of societal struggles, culminating in a powerful call to action. It challenges viewers to reject passivity, embrace their responsibility, and contribute to building a world rooted in truth and justice, a world better for all.
Host: That’s incredibly powerful, Mohamed. The five-act structure you’ve described weaves a deeply compelling narrative, both visually and thematically. Each act feels like a journey, challenging viewers to reflect on their roles in societal issues. I especially admire how you’ve balanced personal introspection with a broader societal critique.
Thank you, Mohamed, for sharing your incredible insights and taking us behind the scenes of this transformative project.
For our followers, this is just the beginning! Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll explore how Mohamed brought these acts to life visually and technically, including the inspiration behind striking metaphors like the flood and the transformation of tigers.
The Project Page on FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/DeceivingWorld
🔷🔷 Related Articles
🔷 Behind "Deceiving World": A Simulated Interview with Director Mohamed Beriky | Part 2: https://civitai.com/articles/10555/behind-deceiving-world-a-simulated-interview-with-director-mohamed-beriky-or-part-2
🔷 Behind "Deceiving World": A Simulated Interview with Director Mohamed Beriky | Part 3: https://civitai.com/articles/10630/behind-deceiving-world-a-simulated-interview-with-director-mohamed-beriky-or-part-3
🔷🔷 Related Videos
🔷"Deceiving World" Music Video Submission for Odyssey Project: https://civitai.com/images/49189873
🔷 Behind-the-scenes video: https://civitai.com/images/52663645
🔷🔷 Related Releases
🔷 Video Release (On Beriky Studios YouTube Artist Channel)
🔷 Video Release (On VEVO)
Audio Release (On Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music): https://artists.landr.com/055855700827
