What I love about the drama is that itâs able to paint a picture around taboo or sensitive subjects
Many young people in Gaza and the West Bank feel disempowered. Years of conflict, lack of employment, housing and security all play a part.
Dandara (an expression used by Palestinian youth that roughly translates as âconstructive chaos or confusion that brings hopeâ) aims to tackle these issues through drama. The online dramaâs six-minute episodes tackle very real issues affecting young people in the Palestinian Territories. Despite their problems, the central characters are entrepreneurial, determined and ambitious. They are striving for a better future.
In a gripping opening episode, Jawad is under pressure. His fatherâs wheelchair has been stolen and without it â his father canât get around. Jawadâs family is poor â but through his positive attitude, networks and charm â heâs able to replace the chair that day.
The drama is produced by a team of trainees (aged 18-25), specialising in different forms of production: scriptwriting, audio, camerawork and directing. Creating the drama helps trainees hone their skills while helping young people find solutions to common problems.
âThere arenât any film schools in the Palestinian Territories â on-the-job training has given our trainees real-life experience of producing a dramaâ says Sophia Harb, a project manager. âWhat I love about the drama is that itâs able to paint a picture around taboo or sensitive subjects â love, loyalty, corruption and security.â
A major part of the project is to facilitate online discussion of the topics raised in the drama â including relationships, disability and crime.
Hassan Jeddah advises on the projectâs social media. âSocial media linked to the drama helps provide a space for discussion about daily life challenges,â he said, adding he hoped the project would âencourage youth to be more tolerantâ of differences among Palestinians.
Project information
Project name | Khaleena Nitfaham (Letâs Get Along): Strengthening Mutual Understanding, Civic Knowledge and Participation among Young Adults in the Palestinian Territories |
Funder | |
Dates | 2016-2017 |
Themes | Governance |
Outputs |
Dandara |
Partners | PYALARA (Palestinian Youth Association for Leadership and Rights Activation) |