Jet Set Arabia
Fall Grants 2019 - Development Stage
Abdulla Al-Abdulla, Basel Owies / TV Series / Qatar / Original Language: Arabic, English / Interests: Middle Eastern, Fashion, Youth
Synopsis
In ‘Jet Set Arabia’, we will follow along on the journey of what it takes to become a contemporary social media influencer in the traditional Middle East. This contrast takes us on an exciting and entertaining ride where societal norms are challenged, and where controversies are a daily struggle. With a combined total of over 15 million followers, our dynamic ensemble cast will shed light on various facets of Middle Eastern culture, giving us exclusive access to their lavish lifestyles, entrepreneurial ventures, and adventurous personal lives. Through our cast we’ll see high-end editorial photoshoots, international fashion shows, brands being launched, friendships forming and relationships falling apart, all the while posting and sharing these experiences with the world. In this competitive and cut-throat influencer industry, it’s hard work to avoid being wrapped up in the haters of social media and in living up to the demands of their conservative cultures and families. And although the influencers indulge in luxurious lifestyles, this series will also show how each of them is a down-to-earth human being that’s struggling with the same issues that are relatable to many millennials today. We get to see the dirt under the carpet and see the reality of what goes on behind the scenes, including the stress, humour, heartbreak, disappointment, and joy of the influencer industry.
Credits
- Director
- Abdulla Al-Abdulla, Basel Owies
- Producer
- Abdulla Al-Abdulla, Basel Owies
- Executive Producer
- Abdulla Al-Abdulla, Basel Owies
About the Director
As the son of an ambassador, Abdulla Al-Abdulla grew up travelling the globe and developed a keen interest in the fashion industry. As a Qatari native, Abdulla’s style has a quintessential Middle Eastern touch, but still incorporates a vast Western flare. He is a regular at the London, Paris, New York and Milan Fashion Weeks, and has been featured in various publications like Harper’s Bazaar, Grazia, Ahlan Magazine and Glam. As a high-profile influencer, Abdulla has collaborated with countless brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Balmain, Etro and Chaumet—where he stands at the crossroads between Middle Eastern and Western culture.
An Egyptian-American child of the '80s, Basel was born to immigrant parents in New Jersey, already wearing knee-high socks, playing Nintendo, and being grass-fed on pop culture. He studied Directing and Film Production at Chapman University's Dodge College of Film & Media Arts in Orange, CA and has had experience in film, television, commercial, unscripted, music video, and branded content projects before directing and co-producing his first feature film entitled 'The Barber' (2014) starring Scott Glenn ('Silverado', 'Silence of the Lambs') and Chris Coy ('The Deuce', 'The Killing of Two Lovers'). Since 2017, he has been with the Doha Film Institute as the Lead Producer of the prestigious Qatari Film Fund, a unique non-profit industry-building scholarship program founded in the Middle East. Additionally, he is focused on developing and producing several projects, including executive producing an original reality series entitled 'Jet Set Arabia', writing a narrative series called 'Beautiful Things' set in Jordan, and developing his second feature film that melds his Arabic culture with his American values.