- Title: SYRIA: TV series on '67 war set for Ramadan broadcast
- Date: 12th August 2009
- Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (AUGUST 8, 2009) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF NAJDAT ANZOUR, THE DIRECTOR OF THE SERIES, SCROLLING THROUGH FOOTAGE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) NAJDAT ANZOUR, SERIES DIRECTOR, SAYING: "Away from politics, we can say it's an emotional series that puts the spotlight, during this crucial time, on peace negotiations over the Golan, that are taking place now. I think it is p
- Embargoed: 27th August 2009 13:00
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- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVAC4WOMM4G3RW8YR30SQY92Q5FU
- Story Text: A new TV series about the 1967 Arab-Israeli war is being prepared for broadcast on Arab television during the holy month of Ramadan.
"Rijal al-Hassem (The Terminators)", the title of the 30-episode series, took seven months to shoot, in multiple locations, in Syria, Lebanon, the Czech Republic and Germany. It presents the realities of a war that led to the exodus of a large number of Syrians from the Golan Heights.
Najdat Anzour, its director, says the story is an emotional one, broadcast at the same time as indirect peace negotiations are taking place with Israel over returning the Golan Heights to Syria:
"Away from politics, we can say it's an emotional series that puts the spotlight, during this crucial time, on peace negotiations over the Golan, that are taking place now. I think it is positive to see how the Golan was and how our people lived there. The Golan is not an area of ruins or a small piece of land which people can bargain over. It's a complete life for a lot of people. It shows how they became refugees, they weren't refugees in Syria before. It shows how those refugees were able to adapt to the society and the difficulties they faced and the difficult events they lived through."
"Rijal al-Hassem" has a production budget of 2.5 million U.S. dollars. According to its director, the series will help new generations know more details about the circumstances leading to the defeat in the war of 1967.
The cast includes 100 actors from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Russia. Many took lessons in Hebrew for some of the scenes. Experts from the United Kingdom were brought in to work on the fight scenes:
"I found that there were a number of difficult fights that needed high-level technology so we asked the technical guys to come and they did a great job. Additionally, many technicians from Syrian co-operated with them. Also the Syrian military helped us and offered us armoured cars, weapons, cannon and tanks. Because you know that this period is old and sensitive so it is difficult to get these things," Anzour adds.
Competition for ratings are fierce during the holy month, when families traditionally gather around their TV sets after the "iftar" meal, which breaks the day-long fast at sunset, to watch their favourite shows on local and pan-Arab channels.
The Syrian television industry is one of the better-established in the Levant. But the world economic crisis has taken a toll even in this country. There are 18 Syrian tv series being broadcast this year. Last year there were 35.
This year Ramadan begins around August 21. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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