大象传媒

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 鈥榗onstructive chaos or confusion that brings hope鈥�) aims to tackle these issues through drama. The online drama鈥檚 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 father鈥檚 wheelchair has been stolen and without it 鈥� his father can鈥檛 get around. Jawad鈥檚 family is poor 鈥� but through his positive attitude, networks and charm 鈥� he鈥檚 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.

鈥淭here aren鈥檛 any film schools in the Palestinian Territories 鈥� on-the-job training has given our trainees real-life experience of producing a drama鈥� says Sophia Harb, a project manager. 鈥淲hat I love about the drama is that it鈥檚 able to paint a picture around taboo or sensitive subjects 鈥� love, loyalty, corruption and security.鈥�

A major part of the project is to facilitate online discussion of the topics raised in the drama 鈥� including relationships, disability and crime.

Hassan Jeddah advises on the project鈥檚 social media. 鈥淪ocial media linked to the drama helps provide a space for discussion about daily life challenges,鈥� he said, adding he hoped the project would 鈥渆ncourage youth to be more tolerant鈥� of differences among Palestinians. 

Project information