SYRIA: Pan Arab cast acts in a new Syrian historical TV series about Jerusalem and the Palestinians

Record ID: 279856

  • Title: SYRIA: Pan Arab cast acts in a new Syrian historical TV series about Jerusalem and the Palestinians
  • Date: 8th June 2010
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF THE LOCATION (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BASSEL AL-KHATIB, PALESTINIAN DIRECTOR, SAYING: "I have been working for on this project since a long time. It is not just a series that I decided to direct. its idea started ten years ago and the script needed three years to be written. So the project for me is more than just a series. It's a very important point of everythin
  • Embargoed: 23rd June 2010 13:00
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  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVAYZ5PSVOT7IHUXUO0OSLHMB7M
  • Story Text: Following the huge success in the Arab world of TV series on Middle Eastern historical and political issues in recent years, a new TV series on the history of Jerusalem and the Palestinians is being produced in Syria with the participation of Syrian, Jordanian, Lebanese, Tunisian, Iraqi and Egyptian actors.
    A new historical TV series about Jerusalem and the Palestinians is being produced by Palestinian director Bassel al-Kahtib in Syria. The series involves a cast of Syrian, Jordanian, Lebanese, Tunisian, Iraqi and Egyptian actors.
    The series, entitled "Ana al-Quds" ("I am Jerusalem,") deals with the city's history during a critical fifty-year period. The series starts in 1917, when Historic Palestine fell under British mandate rule. It was also the year Arthur James Balfour, then British foreign minister, pledged British support to the creation of a Jewish national home in Palestine, which then had a majority Arab population.
    The series' events end in 1967 when the entire city of Jerusalem was captured by Israel, which had captured West Jerusalem in 1948.
    Dramas relating to Middle Eastern history over the past century have proven a huge success with Arab audiences in recent years. It is expected to be shown during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, a time of peak viewing in the Middle East.
    The drama focuses on the lives of local citizens from Jerusalem and how they reacted to changes and developments under British and then Israeli rule.
    But the series does not only talk about the city and its political conditions, it is also a window into the intellectual and cultural importance of the Arab part of city.
    Much thought and planning has gone into the series, said Palestinian director Bassel al-Khatib.
    "I have been working for on this project since a long time. It is not just a series that I decided to direct. Its idea started ten years ago and the script needed three years to be written. So the project for me is more than just a series. It is a very important point of everything I have presented especially the series I have done for the Palestinian cause,'' al-Khatib said.
    Finding the right location to film the episodes proved tricky for al-Khatib as he needed to find an environment similar to that of Jerusalem. The filming took place in the Syrian locations of Damascus, Aleppo, Mashta al-Helou and Safita.
    The story takes place against a backdrop of actual events, the director said.
    "The work is accurate concerning the events. There is nothing that could be cut out. I really wish for this series to become a step in the way of supporting the series that are produced about Jerusalem and Palestine", said Khatib in between directing scenes.
    Syrian Actor Abed Fahed said the series casts a new light on the plight of the Palestinians, and he hopes that the issues facing them will be resolved in the near future,
    "It is a dangerous question, I do not know, I mean, it is something scary. I do not know, now we are in 2010 I do not know if in the year 3010 somebody will still be doing a series about Jerusalem, I do not know. It seems that the new generation is going to solve the problem.'' The series consists of 30 episodes and it is a joint Syrian and Egyptian venture with a budget of 3.5 to 4 million U.S dollars. Negotiations are still ongoing as to which Middle Eastern channels will air the series.
    It is expected to be aired during Ramadan, during which families traditionally watch an array of TV dramas. The holy month will start in mid-August this year.
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