With 2 million subscribers, Obada (21), who fled from Syria, is one of the biggest YouTubers in the Netherlands. From his typically Dutch village of Angeren, he records comical Arabic sketches, which are wildly popular in the Middle East.
But in the Netherlands he finds little connection. Nobody knows him here, he hardly speaks the language and his father doesn’t like his YouTube career. What is it like as a young newcomer to struggle with your parents’ expectations when you yourself envision a different future?
“This is a special project to me. It didn’t started with a brief. But I just came across Obada’s story in a local newspaper on a Sunday morning. The fact that he is the biggest YouTuber in the Netherlands and lives in a small town with millions of followers thousands of miles away – fascinated me. That same week we agreed to meet. In our conversation, I noticed that he has a much bigger story to tell. So I started looking for the right parties by using my network. Many brands said “no,” broadcasters hesitated. Until we knocked on the door of public broadcaster VPRO. Thanks to the fantastic work of director Sakir Khader, who followed Obada closely for months, the film became a reality. It even resulted in a selection for NFF 2021.”
Credits:
Regie, camera, fotografie & geluid: Sakir Khader
Montage: Fatih Tura
Dramaturgie: Astrid Bussink
Eindredactie: Ruby Deelen
Colorist: Michiel Rummens
Audiomixage: Regard Ibrahim
Productie: Rens Mevissen en Carmen Staneke
Naar een idee van: Anne Stokvis
Voor research: Margot van Oosten
Research: Sakir Khader
Vertaling & spotter: May Oda en Karim Ellouta
Muziek: Obada Kheireddin
Met speciale dank aan: Obada Kheireddin, Rajaie Kheireddin, Mouna Boubes
Met dank aan: Fouad Hallak, Randy Vermeulen, N=Conten