FEATURE DOCUMENTARY

SYNOPSIS

A Doc. series presented by Ms. Maha Awad featuring Arab life in America and the connections to the Middle East. The episode is about Hip-hop, and how it can not be categorized a just a music genre - its influence on society can be felt in fashion, street art, dance and revolutions. According to culture experts, hip hop has grown so much as a popular culture with an influence that cannot be ignored and with artists taking the lead as civil and political leaders.

PRODUCTION STATEMENT

In this ever-shrinking world, our stories and our lives are becoming more and more connected. This show closes the loop on the Arab experience in the world by showing that when one heart beats in the U.S. another feels it in the Middle East.

This show will delve into the lives of Arab Americans of all walks of life and persuasions, interests and passions, careers, life paths and challenges and rewards. And then, we will explore their ties and counterparts in the region.

Each episode will focus on a sub-community, subculture or timely issue facing a segment of Arabs in America. Through the personal human stories of individuals, we will gain a nuanced and multi-faceted perspective on the issue or lifestyle of the episode and the links back home that make us all part of one world.

We will experience our featured characters’ worlds through extensive interviews in their homes, work spaces and natural environments. We will meet their families, friends, and mentors as well as their adversaries and critics. With visually rich and vivid B-roll, we will give our viewers an unprecedented window into the dynamic and layered lives of Arabs in America. Then we will transition to the region and get a fresh perspective to the same lifestyle through the eyes of Arabs living in their homelands.

CREW

Directed by Hassan Said
Produced by Maha Awad, Nicolas Paine, and Jeff Kline
Edited by Murad Amayreh
Cinematography by Andrew Friend, Esau Melendez, Ben Demaree, Louis Normandin, Michael Street
Sound by Gary Wright and Matt Mazzone
Original Music by Mohamed Awad
Sound Mixing by Matt Wood

STARRING

Maha Awad, Malikah, Hossam L. Hossainy, Khaled M, Zeid "Gon" Khater.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

RUNNING TIME: 50 min
DATE OF COMPLETION: 2014
SHOOTING FORMAT: DSLR, DV
COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: U.S.A.
FILMING LOCATION: Beirut, Lebanon - Cairo, Egypt - Chicago, USA
16:9 Color, Stereo