If you were anywhere near my facebook page these last few weeks you could not have missed the murmur of enthusiasm I shared for the Batoota Films/ZicoHouse/BBC World Trusts Web drama ‘Shankaboot’ that unveiled this week to a curious crowd.
A true Lebanese production with all the passion and can –do spirit that could light up a city – I have been finding it hard to resisit telling everyone young and old to check it out. What makes this production a land mark on Arabia’s media history is not only the fact that it is the first of it's kind but more so, that it is a cross colaboration between a diverse range of talented sparks who have joined the dots to stitch a wonderful peice of media fabric, that refuses to look like a Turkish or syrian soap opera, isnt a goofy FTV/MTV animation, and is proud of it.
Unafraid to tred new ground, the sucess of shankaboot could arguably be due to a number of factors. For some it may work thanks to the delicious filming and editing, or the amazing soundtrack, and its true that they are frankly refreshing to say the least. For me ,its the desolate lovable and belivable characters that brighten my day along side the viewers of this new webdrama that remind me things are still possible in a part of the world that keeps being draged around. A refreshing face of a city that refuses to go quietly.
I love Ruwaida for her verve and vulnerability
I love Sulieman for his outrageously warm nature and ability to walk the line between morality and darkness
I love Chadi’s warped compassion and smooth charm that makes it impossible to hate him and abu Zuhair... well, if you have lived in beirut, you must have had your own version of over meddling gatekeeper.
With an army of over 3,000 fans to date and rising, its going to be intresting to see what impact Shankaboot will have on its avaid viewers. Fingers crossed the crowd stays curious, as the characters take on a life of their own and get transformed with every webisode and click of the mouse that views them. I for one will be cheering them all the way!
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
How do I love Qatar? Let me count thy ways!
I love Qatar for its amazing citizens for being so plugged in
I love Qatar for its shy, honest hard working ethic that sings to me
I love Qatar for it’s willingness to try, to compete, to grow and be part of a global conversation
Having worked in Bahrain, Beirut, Dubai, and London I have always enjoyed dabbling in the norms of a new country or city yet of all my professional adventures I must confess to having something of a crush on the Doha. The can-do spirit of this city and the fantastic people who inhabit continues to amaze me and remind me of what becomes possible when you have a vision. Qatar Foundation (Arguably one of the biggest instigators of my crush on this city) certainly has a lot to do with it !
An Organization so clear in its mission, which it spreads across surfaces that range from virtual banners to the ceramic tiles that adorn the cities sky scrapers with empowering bold words like “Grow” “Create” “Inspire” that are so large they can be seen from miles that is trying to do what its says on the packet. For some people the idea of ‘unlocking human potential’ may seem abit OTT, but person by person that’s what I see all around… and it inspires me. In fact, it inspires me so much I want to wrap up my small life in England and move hear with the man who makes my heart sing, and play a big juicy part in the ever changing landscape that moves with the skyline. The air of possibility and willingness to grow and punch way above what may be perceived as possible has always seduced me and made me giddy. The last few months have given me pockets of time to reflect on what I would and wouldn’t miss if I left my life in England thought of the following:
Would not miss
The commutes into Central London on over packed commuter trains. The weather. The grumpy people
Would miss
The friends and my family & Mr. C’s Family. The smell of spring
Growing tomatoes in our garden
So assuming my incredible husband came with me, and his incredible mother agreed to come and ride out at least 6 months of the year with us it just might work. Afterall, growing tomatoes seems to pail in significance when you can grow potential… and I am now more sure then ever that what the city lacks in quantity it certainly makes up for in Quality, so how do I love Qatar... let me count thy ways...
I love Qatar for its shy, honest hard working ethic that sings to me
I love Qatar for it’s willingness to try, to compete, to grow and be part of a global conversation
Having worked in Bahrain, Beirut, Dubai, and London I have always enjoyed dabbling in the norms of a new country or city yet of all my professional adventures I must confess to having something of a crush on the Doha. The can-do spirit of this city and the fantastic people who inhabit continues to amaze me and remind me of what becomes possible when you have a vision. Qatar Foundation (Arguably one of the biggest instigators of my crush on this city) certainly has a lot to do with it !
An Organization so clear in its mission, which it spreads across surfaces that range from virtual banners to the ceramic tiles that adorn the cities sky scrapers with empowering bold words like “Grow” “Create” “Inspire” that are so large they can be seen from miles that is trying to do what its says on the packet. For some people the idea of ‘unlocking human potential’ may seem abit OTT, but person by person that’s what I see all around… and it inspires me. In fact, it inspires me so much I want to wrap up my small life in England and move hear with the man who makes my heart sing, and play a big juicy part in the ever changing landscape that moves with the skyline. The air of possibility and willingness to grow and punch way above what may be perceived as possible has always seduced me and made me giddy. The last few months have given me pockets of time to reflect on what I would and wouldn’t miss if I left my life in England thought of the following:
Would not miss
The commutes into Central London on over packed commuter trains. The weather. The grumpy people
Would miss
The friends and my family & Mr. C’s Family. The smell of spring
Growing tomatoes in our garden
So assuming my incredible husband came with me, and his incredible mother agreed to come and ride out at least 6 months of the year with us it just might work. Afterall, growing tomatoes seems to pail in significance when you can grow potential… and I am now more sure then ever that what the city lacks in quantity it certainly makes up for in Quality, so how do I love Qatar... let me count thy ways...
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