Uprooted Palestinian: SALAM ALQUDS ALAYKUM – سلام القدس عليكم: “Al-Ghaliboun” Series

Wednesday, 4 April 2012

“Al-Ghaliboun” Series - Part II Seeing Light

Nour Rida - Fatima Shoeib contributed to this report

Resistance fighters:

A title that encompasses a lot within its folds. They leave everything behind them, the joy of the world, their beloved families and friends, their future on this planet, only to make a brighter future for themselves and their dear ones in their final eternal life to which they eagerly look.

"Al-Ghaliboun" (The Victorious) is a series of 37 episodes aired and produced by al-Manar TV Channel during the Holy month of Ramadan in the year 2011.

The series narrates the story of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon against the "Israeli" occupation, and was inspired from the popular environment in South Lebanon. It also sheds light on the emergence of the resistance in 1982 in response to the "Israeli" invasion. The series takes the audience back to the events that occurred in Lebanon, to the aggression and violence of the "Israeli" usurper enemy versus the sacrifices, bravery, patience, and triumph of the Lebanese society which fed on the culture of resistance and on preserving dignity and independence.

It also embodies the culture of "the victory of the blood over the sword" which the Prophet Mohammad and his household have taught to people over the years.

The series chronicles major historical facts such as the period of Sheikh Ragheb Harb who was the first to start a popular rejection and revolution against the Zionist enemy, stating "Stance is a weapon; Shaking hands [with the enemy] admission." It also recalls the first sacrifice martyr in modern history Martyr Ahmad Qassir who killed more than 140 occupation soldiers in one operation. It also narrates the life of two resistance fighters on the different levels.

On the other hand, the series reminds of the Sabra and Chatila massacre, as well as of the "Israeli" brutality that took place back then. Actors from different religious and political backgrounds were part of the crew in the Part one.

The first part was successful. It wrote history of the resistance movement in Lebanon in images that were engraved in the minds of the people, and was also another beacon of truth to what had happened during the early years of "Israel's" occupation to Lebanese territories.

Part two of the "Victorious" will be broadcast on al-Manar tv station in the coming month of Ramadan, to add more to the cinematic archive of the resistance culture, speaking the truth of events that faced many attempts of maiming by "Israeli" propaganda over the years.

Part two is produced by Syrian producer Redwan Shahin, written by Fathallah Omar.

According to the Beirut International Production Center monitoring the work, more than 200 actors take part in the making of the new drama, with more than 120 crew members working backstage. Also, more than 250 resistance fighters participate in embodying Badr Grand Operation, which included a series of attacks on "Israeli" occupation posts located on Lebanese territory. It will also include the narration of the most outstanding resistance operations executed by the Islamic resistance in South Lebanon and the Bekaa valley.

Major resistance leaders are personified in the series, such as the leader martyrs Sheikh Abu Thar, Abu ali Shahla, Mohammad Bjeiji, Ahmad Shoeib and Samir Matout, in addition to other figures whose identities have been kept away from the limelight to remain as an "element of surprise and suspense" to the audience.

The actors and crew of the series were guests of resistance fighters in South Lebanon's dens of bravery.

A team of resistance fighters trained the actors on the theoretical and practical levels. They taught them how to use the arms, also taught them fight and military tactics.

The actors had to shoot targets, they crawled along the mountains, executed a maneuver and an ambush, which to them was overwhelming. According to the center, the actors and crew members said this experience made them understand the difficulty of work circumstances the resistance fighters have to overcome, and the major effort, training, and sacrifice they had to put in for the sake of their people and homeland.

At the end of the exercise, the resistance fighters themselves prepared a lunch feast to their guests who will mirror all their sacrifices and heroism in al-Ghaliboun part II; The Victorious.

"The Victorious" as described by the producer of part I Bassel al-Khatib, is a major Arabic drama production dedicated to the courageous martyrs in Lebanon and Palestine.