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.
Basel Owies was born into the cultural mosaic of New Jersey. He has always been fascinated with cinema and knew from childhood that he wanted to be a filmmaker. Initially unsure if this was a realistic goal, Basel focused on the sciences throughout most of his formative years before deciding on graduate school. His creative journey led to an MFA in Directing and Film Production from the esteemed Chapman University. In Los Angeles, his artistic spirit found expression across diverse mediums, weaving through film, TV, commercials, music videos, and branded content. The turning point arrived when he directed and co-produced his inaugural feature film, ‘The Barber’ (2014). Starring luminaries like Scott Glenn and Chris Coy, the film showcased Basel’s directorial finesse and set the stage for his cinematic odyssey. In 2017, Basel embraced a pivotal role as the lead producer of the Qatari Film Fund at the Doha Film Institute. Here, he passionately drives forward non-profit initiatives, building an industry and fostering talent through the leading film scholarship programme in the region. Independently venturing into reality television, Basel serves as an executive producer of the upcoming Middle Eastern-based series, ‘Jet Set Arabia,’ a dynamic project with timely relevance and cultural richness. Basel’s creative endeavours continue to unfold as he crafts ‘Beautiful Things,’ a narrative series set against the enchanting backdrop of Jordan, and curates ‘Rabet’ (Ties), a standalone anthology series spanning the diverse landscapes of the MENA region.