The Arabic world's first Emmy-winning producer Adnan Awamleh is no stranger to hostile reactions, or so it seemed when he effortlessly warded off criticisms after an episode of his controversial TV series Al-Ijtiyah (The Invasion) was screened in Dubai for the first time on Monday.
"How could a Palestinian girl fall in love with her enemy?" asked an angry journalist as soon as the theatre lights came back on.
The extended trailer, though gripping, evoked mixed reactions. Many found the premise of the acclaimed love drama against the bloody backdrop of Israel's 2002 incursion into the West Bank a tad preposterous.
"It's a reality that you have to face. I know from experience that some end up falling in love with the enemy. It's a dramatised version, but it's based on real events. In fact, research has shown many even get married. In fact, I know such couples personally," says Awamleh.
Some of his viewers may doubt the serial's practicality, but his going was a lot smoother during the 2008 Emmy Awards.
Al-Ijtiya outshone 40 other productions from across the globe including Russia, Argentina and Brazil in the Emmys' new telenovela category and returned home a winner.
"To me winning an Emmy is symbolic. I have shown the path for other producers who wish to tackle sensitive or controversial subjects. In fact, Al-Ijtiyah was not meant for the Arab world. I wanted to show the West the realities of the Palestinian struggle and I wanted to move away from the stereotypes and news reports."
But making himself heard was not easy. A string of rejections awaited Awamleh, the founder of the Arab Telemedia Productions. From raising $3 million (Dh11.04 million) to finding suitable locations to shoot, the battles fought were many.
"I decided to go ahead despite all odds. I knew from the beginning that I was tackling a sensitive subject and getting it aired was really tough.
"No one dared to touch the script. In fact, one of the television channels in Abu Dhabi even withdrew their support.
In the end, LBC (a Lebanon-based channel) was the only one who came forward and aired it during Ramadan," he says.
Integrating the actors with the real-life soldiers was another stumbling block. "The series was shot mostly in Syria. And I know from experience when you have soldiers driving their heavy vehicles, it's always tense atmosphere around the sets. But it in the end, it all came through. And to me serial production is not just about making profits, it's about spreading a message too."
Always the last one to duck controversial subjects, this Jordanian juggernaut is now in the process of producing a historical drama based on a well-known political figure.
"I cannot reveal any details as yet, but it is surely going to be more controversial than Al-Ijtiyah for sure. And these are the times when setting up your own production company helps," says Awamleh.
This time around too, he is unsure whether his series will be aired in this region.
"I have enjoyed wonderful relationship with the channels bases in Dubai. So I am hoping to air both serials in this region as soon as possible."
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