The producers of Alhurra’s “Delusional Paradise”, 2015 winner
Leila Bazzi, Pierre Jad, and Georges Chawah are the producers of a new thought-provoking documentary series on Alhurra that sheds a light on the atrocities committed by Daesh (ISIL) in a way not often seen on Arab television. Delusional Paradise goes beyond the daily death count and list of atrocities and instead focuses on the human stories of the living, and often forgotten, victims of Daesh. The mini-documentaries give a voice to the families and communities who have lost loved ones to Daesh, many of whom are speaking publicly for the first time, and provides them an outlet to express their anger and grief as reluctant witnesses to extremism.
These enterprising producers bravely faced numerous harrowing challenges. Due to this sensitive subject, authorities watched the team’s every move throughout the Middle East, even filming their actions at times. Many of the interview subjects would back out at the last minute in fear of retribution. Mothers who had already lost family members begged others not to speak on camera out of fear that they could be the next target of Daesh.
Through their persistence and dedication, Leila, Pierre and Georges built trust among their interview subjects, so they would agree to open up on camera. The result is a powerful and compelling series that provides a voice for the living victims of violent extremism.