Website for Restaurant - House of Kabob

Excited about the launch of the new site for House of Kabob, the family owned and operated Middle Eastern restaurant in Boonton, NJ. Site designed by Falling Awake Productions.

(www.houseofkabobboonton.com)

A 'Geekie' Shoot

Had a wonderful time filming with the kids of PS. 7 in E. Harlem on Saturday along with the co-founders of 'Geekie' who will be launching a Kickstarter campaign in the coming months to launch their new collection of designs. Geekie (www.begeekie.com) will be donating a portion of their 2012 proceeds back to PS. 7 in an effort to bridge the education gap that exists in the neighborhood and provide the students with the resources needed to obtain a higher level of education. "Think smart, stay different, and BE GEEKIE." :)

Tunisia - Day 3

Tunis, Tunisia

We eased into the morning on our third day in Tunisia. That's the wonderful thing about the country – Tunisians know how to ease into their days. We enjoyed a long breakfast, sipping on multiple cups of coffee, drinking fresh strawberry juice as well, toasting piece after piece of bread, and savoring the fresh fruit. Food in Tunisia is some of the freshest we've ever experienced, something you immediately realize every time you eat.

Tunisian Television Producer, Kais Sellamy

Around noon, Nadia's friend Kais Sellamy, who had helped us facilitate interviews the previous day, arrived at Nadia's. Kais is our ideal Tunisian counterpart and colleague. For over ten years, Kais has been involved in film and television production, serving as a producer on projects spanning various genres: documentary, situation comedy, and variety shows, to name a few. In the film industry, he is well connected not only in Tunisia, but throughout the Middle East.

Throughout our trip, we had the fortune of meeting key people, who went above and beyond in helping us obtain exactly what we needed. Kais generously connected us with Tunisians who we needed to interview on camera. The previous night, we had access to the underground rapper, and today, Kais helped schedule an interview with Samy, a 22-year old blogger. Samy, who often does not like to do on-camera interviews, generously took a train from his home in Sfax to Tunis, four hours away.

DJ Samy Chelly

With Samy commuting North to Tunis, we went to a nearby park overlooking all of Tunis, where we interviewed Kais. Nadia helped facilitate the interview, since Kais' experience with English is limited. Throughout our time in Tunisia, Nadia was yet another person we became quickly indebted to – not only for hosting us, but for joining us on interviews and serving as a language liaison.

(from L to R) Nadia, Kais, Sheryll and Samy

After Kais' interview, we headed to a cafe, picking Samy up along the way. We thanked him profusely for meeting us in spite of such a long commute, and treated him to whatever he wanted to eat. We all ordered something to eat or drink, and sat around for more than an hour, talking, laughing, and getting acquainted, while enjoyed an elevated view of a neighborhood in Tunis, filled with white residences.

We basked in the moment and appreciated how relaxed and content we were. In that moment, Sheryll found the perfect balance between work and relaxation, and she loves Tunisia for giving her that. “This is how I want Falling Awake Productions to be,” she said. “No rushing. Everyone easing in, taking their time, socializing, eating, and then once they're comfortable, we work.”

With everyone relaxed and well-fed, we were treated to an eye-opening interview. It became clear to us that for many Arab citizens, this was truly the first time in modern history that they have had a chance to openly express themselves. Prior to the revolution in January, Samy said he never would have agreed to an on-camera interview, for fear of consequence. In fact, Samy's blog was kept anonymous. 2011 came, and Samy finally revealed his name and identity in his blog. “Then I stopped caring,” he said. Now, Samy represents a youth generation that is coming of age in a way that no previous generation in Tunisia has. Samy showed us his Google Analytics, and his blog is well-respected and followed by people across the Middle East – quite an impressive feat for a young man only 22 years of age.

The Mediterranean in Tunis, Tunisia

After the interview, we spent more time together, discussing our mutual interests in music. Sean sat and enjoyed hookah, while looking out at the bright sun descending in the sky. After three hours at the cafe, we headed home, grateful for a perfect day in Tunis.

For More Information about DJ Samy Chelly:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djsamychelly

Twitter: @SamyChelly

Tunisia - Days 1 & 2

We arrived on a sunny Tuesday afternoon in Tunis. Sean couldn't help but smile as we landed. The sights of the blue-green Mediterranean, and ubiquitous white buildings with light blue window treatments, immediately took Sean down memory lane, to the six weeks he spent in Tunisia last summer.

We made plans to stay in the home of Sean's friend, Nadia, whose family kindly offered to host us. We were warmly greeted at the airport by Sean's former Arabic teacher, Hedia, as well as Nadia's father and sister. A few minutes later, we were at Nadia's house, a large, two-story home on the property of Lycee El Omrane, one of Tunis' largest high schools, where Nadia's mother is principal.

In the evening, we went to one of Tunis' many cafes, where we enjoyed tea with mint and almonds. “This is the best tea I've had in my life,” Sheryll joked. We relaxed, met Nadia's friends, enjoyed crepes at midnight, and headed to bed.

The next day, Sean visited with a friend, Farah. They met on Avenue Habib Bourguiba, the main avenue in Tunis, named after Tunisia's first president, who was the leader of the Tunisian independence movement back in the 1950s. The street was also the location of many protests during Tunisia's revolution in mid-January. Now, several months later, things seemed to be calm, and the tree and cafe-lined street (modeled after Parisian streets) felt just the same as it did last summer. Army tanks sat outside major buildings, but did not disturb the daily flow or energy of street activity. People were just as kind and light-hearted as they were before. The only major difference observed was the sudden discussion of politics in public places. Before January 2011, censorship in Tunisia was so strict that anyone caught speaking negatively about the country, politics or government would be incarcerated. Plainclothes informants were scattered about the country, and as an eerie reminder of censorship, a photograph of the ex-president Ben Ali was displayed (by law) in every business establishment. Now, with the old government overthrown and new opportunity to engage in conversation about the state of the country, we were able to talk about what had happened in Tunisia, how matters were before the revolution, and what people thought about the future of Tunisia.

In the late afternoon, we visited a suburb of Tunis, La Marsa, situated on the Mediterranean Sea. La Marsa was the site of protests and vandalism during the revolution in January, since it is close in proximity to the Presidential Palace, and many of the president's relatives reside there. We visited the home of the president's brother-in-law, that had been burned, looted, and vandalized. Now open to the public, we walked onto this once million-dollar property with sea views, to find not an inch of the walls unscathed. Debris, rubble and broken glass covered the floors, and many had taken their long-suppressed dissatisfaction by leaving their mark on the property. We spent well over an hour studying the drawings, paintings, and phrases (in several languages) that communicated sentiments that no one could freely express for the previous sixty years. It was clear that Tunisians finally had a voice, and they deservingly had a lot to say.

As the sun set, we drove to an appointment with an underground rapper who worked with artists across Tunisia. We met him at his studio, where he showcased some of the latest music he had been working on. The content of the music was motivated by the revolutions starting in Tunisia and expanding across the Middle East. The music he played showed that Tunisians were, in spirit, maintaining a close brotherhood with Arabs in other nations who were fighting for the same struggle. Our time with him demonstrated yet another way that young people in the Middle East are finding a strong and genuine voice in this revolution era.

Well past midnight, we arrived back at Nadia's, where we stayed up, laughed, talked, and snacked on some of the freshest peaches, watermelon and figs. It is ideal, after a day of hard work, to come home to a warm and loving family, especially after almost three weeks of nonstop hotels and apartment rentals. Family really has been one of our favorite aspects of our time in the Middle East and North Africa.

Last Days in Tahrir Square

Post-Revolution Graffiti

On our final day in Cairo, we felt it was important to make one last trip to Tahrir Square, the place that during the last three days, we had spent so much time, made many friends, and found inspiration.

At the time we arrived, none of our familiar friends were there. But as we walked through the Square, a man yelled, “Sheryll!” We didn't exactly know who this man was, but it became clear that we had made our mark on Tahrir Square, as the two American filmmakers and journalists who had come to obtain a more accurate, and human perspective, of the activity there. We believe that over the course of four days, we left behind something – a hope that Americans and Egyptians could unite, in terms of support, assistance, and brotherhood, in advocating for a better future for the Middle East.

We made these strong connections because we insisted we were there to capture the human side of the revolutionary movements – to spend time and foster relationships while producing a documentary. Countless times, we explained to people, “We are not the media.” And several times, we resisted people's attempts to introduce us to the “Media Tent” set up in Tahrir Square, for fear of our own misrepresentation.

Sheryll Talks with the Director of Media at Tahrir Square

We walked around a bit more, and another man approached us. After brief introductions, he revealed his identity as the Director of the Media Tent. “I've been waiting to meet you,” he said.

For over an hour, we sat in Tahrir Square and had the most pleasant conversation with him, making us wish that we had met him earlier. He, a well-traveled diplomat, had taken some time off and had been spending the last month as a sit-in advocate, camping under a tent in Tahrir Square. Our interaction with him made it clear that our decision to come back on the last day was the right decision.

The Director of the Media Tent helped us then navigate the metro system from Tahrir Square to Giza, where we were able to catch the Giza Pyramids at sunset. As we headed underground to the metro, we said goodbye to Tahrir Square, the place we had come to know and appreciated, the place we felt safe and loved in. However, we left with no idea that come a few days later, Tahrir Square would undergo a major transformation, sweeping our friends by storm and surprise.

On the first day of Ramadan, August 1, the Army appeared in Tahrir Square and forcibly dismantled setup, chasing all protestors out, arresting anyone who did not immediately comply, and taking down the many sit-in tents that had been established.

Sit-In Tents Before the Military Cleanse

Sheryll was able to reach one of our sources who we had spent time with in the Square. “We're back to Square One,” our source said.

“Who is left in Tahrir Square?” Sheryll asked.

Our source replied, “Nobody.”

“Nobody is sitting in Tahrir Square. Everybody at the sit-in was dismantled by force, all the tents were cleared, and the Army is sitting in the Square – literally.”

The changes in Tahrir Square first left us in disbelief. Our first feelings were that peaceful, warm-hearted protestors fighting for a better future for their country have been stifled.

But we must remember the conviction and commitment of our friends. It was that determination and resilience that we admired. They may, for the time being, have had their Square taken away, but their drive remains. They will undoubtedly continue to advocate for reform in Egypt.

A Lively Tahrir Square

Our source said, “People are in disbelief. But they should not be. They should attend to the situation and play the game. It's not [the Army's] square. It's a public square. Let them have their fun with it. Let's rest for a couple weeks. We'll be back.”

Some of our friends are currently working out of an office, keeping detailed lists of all of Tahrir's thousands of advocates, updating individuals' statuses each minute. This ensures the best possible accountability for everyone – who is safe, who has been arrested, who has been detained, and who has been interrogated. A close network of people within the Square – all communicating from different points across greater Cairo – allows this major undertaking to be feasible. This is indeed a strong community.

Our friends, and all the familiar faces in Tahrir Square, are in our thoughts. We hope that they are safe, in the company of their families, but we know that some of the people we met may currently be detained. We wish our brothers and sisters the very best sentiments from the bottom of our hearts. We wish a warm celebration of Ramadan to our friends and their families, we hope that they get the rest they deserve during this holiday month, and meanwhile, we rest just a bit easier knowing that though their Square may be occupied for now, their spirit remains as strong as ever.

Egypt - Day 3

Tahrir Square

Sheryll Talks with Young Protesters

By the time we returned to Tahrir Square for the third consecutive day, we felt that we belonged. We were part of this community. Now, we were warmly greeted by the entire volunteer security team. Everyone shook Sheryll's hands, and the boys came up to hug Sean. When embracing Sean, some of the men extended a kiss on each cheek, a traditionally endearing way that men greet each other through the Middle East. We were hanging out at first, so Sheryll whimsically pulled out her American hackysack. In Tahrir Square, Sheryll kicked around the hackysack with several of the guys. Everyone had a great time.

Brian Wright

We were waiting to meet Brian, a young American who, after studying abroad in Egypt during college, decided to move back to Egypt permanently. For the past four years, Brian had been enjoying life in Cairo, definitely a change of pace from the small town in Western Texas where he was raised. Brian shed some light on the fears that people in his hometown expressed, when they found out he was relocating to the Middle East. “Don't trust them,” “They hate Americans,” “Watch out for those Muslims,” were some of the sentiments Brian described. Brian explained how he has always been well-respected, and felt perfectly integrated, within Egypt. His description of his experience living in Egypt served as powerful testimony to combat the stereotypes and stigmas that he felt in his community, and that we have felt in our communities. Brian again made the important distinction that in the Middle East, people are wise enough to separate American politics from the American people. If someone does not agree with American politics, or does not like the American government, that often does not reflect on how they treat an American individual.

Islam Assists with Directing and Translating Interviews 

Our liaison and friend, Islam, helped us facilitate interviews with men and women of various ages – anywhere from 15 to 50 years old – within the square. Some spoke English, and others spoke Egyptian Arabic.

The Nile

Push-Cart Food Vendors

The Metro

Street Corner in the Al-Matariyyah District in Cairo

As it began to get dark in Tahrir, we walked around the Nile and through a statue park, before heading onto the metro to Islam's neighborhood. There, we ate once again with his family, and then went to Islam's family cafe. For more than two hours, we smoked shisha, drank tea, shared stories and laughs, and made plans for the future. Sheryll and Sean were the only Caucasian people in the cafe, and Sheryll was the only woman present. Yet in the midst of 50 Egyptian men smoking shisha, we felt perfectly comfortable and confident in being there. We were treated with the utmost respect from all the cafe's patrons.

Pedestrian in Al-Matariyyah

Islam, one of the hardest working and dedicated people we know, suddenly began coordinating interviews on our behalf, asking some of the men in the cafe if they would like to appear in our documentary right at that moment. It was well after midnight, on a cool, breezy evening, and we set up the camera in the outdoor seating of the cafe. We made sure that the smoke from our shisha wasn't blowing into the camera's field of vision. We interviewed (in Arabic) an older gentleman formerly in the Egyptian military, and we spoke with (in English) a translator who has worked internationally. The translator gave a beautiful analysis of the peaceful nature of the Islamic religion, emphasizing that any type of violent extremism should not be associated with a religion that would never advocate killing. They are not Muslims, he asserted.

At 2 AM, Islam fed us at his home. After filling our stomachs with watermelon and feteer (a crispy, pastry-like Egyptian bread), Islam drove us all the way back to our hotel in Giza. We arrived after 3AM, only ready to catch a few hours of sleep and do it all again the next day.

Egypt - Day 2

Tahrir Square, Cairo

We made our way to Tahrir Square in the early afternoon, meeting with the friends we had made the previous night. Again, we went through the security entrance that young activists had set up. The security was very polite, and in fact, apologetic. Once they finished searching our bags, they said to us, in English, “I am sorry.”

Once we gained access to the Square, we immediately met up with some of our friends from the previous day, who were excited to see us again. We remained sure to reaffirm our purpose as independent filmmakers committed to showing the humanity of the youth movements in the Middle East, as opposed to general media.

Hichem 

We spoke at length with Hichem, one of the directors of the security at Tahrir Square. He explained how, soon after the revolution began, a committee of young men and women formed to ensure the safety of the square. They effectively blocked off each entrance of Tahrir Square with a men's and women's checkpoint. Out of respect, men are responsible for checking men into the square, and vice versa. Hichem admits that, since the metro is inside Tahrir Square, the sudden presence of security checkpoints may cause an inconvenience for some. However, the checkpoints still allow for the flow of car traffic outside, with a small detour. (Previously, cars could drive through Tahrir Square.) More importantly, the efforts of these young adults ensure that Tahrir Square remain a weapon and drug free zone. “We confiscate a box of weapons each day,” Hichem said, further explaining that the weapons are generally small sticks and small knives. When drugs are found, “We destroy the drugs right in front of the gate, so that everyone can see, and no one can accuse us of taking the drugs for ourselves.”

Dina Abdallah

We sat in the shade and hung out with our friends outside the security gate until our liaison, Islam, arrived. Islam was one of the young adults that we had met with Mohamed the previous evening. Almost instantly, we bonded with Islam, whose true generosity immediately shined. He walked with us through the square, where we soon became popular. People in the square began to ask us what we were doing, and we happily told them. A young girl asked if she could be interviewed. As she was describing her experiences during the revolution, a crowd gathered around the camera, until about twenty-five Egyptians were standing around, all genuinely interested in what we were doing. We spent almost an hour talking to more people who wanted to provide commentary.

During that time, Mohamed's wife and our friend, Donna, met us in the square and joined us for the day.

Islam then took us to the sit-in tents, where we laid down and relaxed. We talked with the people who had been staying in the tent for weeks, expressing their solidarity for democracy in Egypt. They were very happy to welcome us into their space, and offered us tea. We took our shoes off before entering the interior of the tent, since they often pray inside. On one of the tent's walls was a poster, honoring the young men who had died fighting for their country in the revolution. On the back wall of the tent was a large Egyptian flag.

Within minutes of us relaxing and taking a break from the mid-afternoon North African heat, we heard marching and yelling coming from the main quarter of the square. We instinctively got up, put our shoes back on, and grabbed the camera equipment. Hundreds, if not over a thousand people, were marching the square. With Islam by our side, we felt comfortable turning the camera on and going right up to the march. When the protestors saw the camera, near fifty of them came close to Sheryll and began to yell “horreyah” the Arabic word for “freedom” into the camera.

Just a few meters away, Sean was snapping photos, with Donna alongside. A group of four Egyptians began to yell at him, telling him he could not take photos. Sean immediately consulted Islam, who came over to appease the situation. This very small minority of Egyptians feared Sean's photo presence in the square. They explained to Islam that they thought we were brought to the square on behalf of the Egyptian police, to suppress the movement. They possessed a deep rooted fear that our cameras were harmful to the movement, and even after Islam's honest explanation of who we were. Islam, along with a Saudi Arabian man that we'd literally met three minutes before in the middle of the demonstration, shuffled us away from them, and they did not pursue us any further.

As the march carried on outside the square, we decided to shift gears. Islam invited us to dinner at his family's home. We were warmly greeted by Islam's mother and sister, Amira, who prepared a home-cooked Egyptian meal for us. Similar to our time with Maral's family in Jordan, we once again felt embraced by family. With our constant travels and many nights spent in hotels, it was relaxing and therapeutic to be embraced by family. Islam gave Sean comfortable pajamas to change into, and Amira did the same for Sheryll. Amira, a young, independent, 30-year old pharmaceutical representative (who had recently worked for Pfizer), was the perfect company, and along with Islam, translated a conversation between us and Islam's mother. After enjoying molokheya, mashi, and other Egyptian delights, we snacked on watermelon and drank Turkish coffee. Through the night, we laughed and shared stories, and by the end of the night, felt we'd known Islam's family for a long time.

Sean was exhausted, and Islam offered Sean the extra bed to sleep in. Meanwhile, Islam and Sheryll went exploring through the streets of his neighborhood, where young girls, not older than six or seven years old, ran up to say hello. The young girls were excited to hang out with the older crowd. Sheryll remarked that the girls swarmed around Islam like “he was Justin Bieber,” and noted that Islam was the “unofficial mayor of the neighborhood.” Throughout the streets, Islam greeted everyone, and clearly is well-respected in his community.

After that first day, we knew that we had bonded with the perfect friend and a loving family, and we made plans to get together again the next day.