2019 Winners & Shortlists

Write a short summary of what happens in the film.

The film acts as an in-depth exposé on a Shattaf, a handheld water hose, commonly found in Middle Eastern restrooms to rinse off “down there.” It introduces the concept of what a Shattaf is and why it is so important. However, the narrative isn’t just what you see but what you read. The film is targeting the English speaking community who have not installed it in bathrooms in the West and Europe. But the subtitles speak to a local audience and serve as satirical commentary to the absurdity of the concept and how such a basic need is not met when Arabs travel abroad. The characters on screen act as the professionals behind the “innovation” and build a case through interviews with the camera for the shattaf to be installed in hotels and airports across the globe.

Cultural/Context information for the jury

Rehlat is a travel booking application that understood the needs and anxieties of the Middle Eastern traveler. One of the biggest anxieties of travel for the Arab community is hygiene after bathroom usage, as toilet paper is not enough to rinse off. In fact, when Arabs travel abroad they compensate for the lack of a Shattaf with home-made alternatives like plastic water bottles, wet wipes, and other less convenient options. So Rehlat in an attempt to connect to customer on a relevant premise and show understanding, adopted the cause and decided to educate the western community on its importance. Because of the nature of how a shattaf is used, it is not something that would ever be discussed publicly.

Provide the full film script in English.

Text on screen in Arabic: Line 1: Over 370 million Arabs travel every year Line 2: and they all face the same problem Line 3: How do you explain what cannot be explained? (Arabic Sub: This is not a literal translation) Getting yourself out of a mess if quite sensitive Especially when it’s a mess you have made (Arabic Sub: Because the message you are hearing in English isn’t directed to you) (Arabic Sub: So listen up, because we have bigger problems here) If you are human you eat, and if you eat you have to ehem… (Arabic Sub: How do you explain to the world an issue this big?) (Arabic Sub: That thing that they won’t just put for us) Which can make the situation even messier (Arabic Sub: I mean it’s 2019!) You need to take matters into your own hands (Arabic Sub: And we still end up having to use water bottles) Wiping your slate clean (Arabic Sub: And we have to hide those bottle from housekeeping so they don’t throw them out) Imagine a fountain of water (Arabic Sub: You know what we are talking about, right?) Now imagine the power of that fountain in the palm of your hand (Arabic Sub: Obviously we’re referring to the shattaf) The shattaf does exactly that (Arabic Sub: The shattaf, you know that thing we can’t live without) Think of it as a shower when you world is upside down (Arabic Sub: I mean, it’s normal that you eat, right?) (Arabic Sub: And if you are gonna eat, you’re gonna have too…you know) Using water to clean that area is not a new idea (Arabic Sub: Making you wonder, how you would manage if it happens) It was invented by the French in the 17th century and it was called the bidet (Arabic Sub: thinking of weird alternatives) (Arabic Sub: Although the solution is literally there) It’s a basic hand-held water hose, that pumps water (Arabic Sub: A solution that is clean and simple) (Arabic Sub: And literally, within reach) It’s so simple, no charging, no usb, no cable, no nothing (Arabic Sub: Through the hard times and softer ones) (Arabic Sub: And more useful than that shower in airplanes) (Arabic Sub: And those knick knacks in 7 star hotels) It doesn’t require anything to install beyond a basic plumbing system (Arabic Sub: I mean the world is evolving yet they don’t get it) You wash your hands with water (Arabic Sub: They wash their hands with water) You wash your eyes with water (Arabic Sub: They wash their eyes with water) You wash your ears with water (Arabic Sub: They wash their ears with water) fruits, vegetables with water (Arabic Sub: They wash their fruits with water) you wash everything with water (Arabic Sub: They wash everything with water) so why this…you don’t wash it with water (Arabic Sub: So why don’t they wash….”that” with water?!?) Why isn’t the Shattaf installed in every bathroom? (Arabic Sub: So the question now is, why hasn’t the shattaf been installed in every bathroom?) Because you haven’t asked for it (Arabic Sub: Because you haven’t asked for it) But today, is a day for change (Arabic Sub: But today is a day for change) Change that takes place not from the top down (Arabic Sub: Change that takes place not from the top down) But from the bottom up (Arabic Sub: But from the bottom up) And that’s where you come in (Arabic Sub: And that’s where you come in) With us (Arabic Sub: With us) We need your voice (Arabic Sub: We need your voice) We need to spread the word (Arabic Sub: We need to spread the word) Mention your favorite shattaf-less restaurant (Arabic Sub: Mention your favorite shattaf-less restaurant) Airport (Arabic Sub: airport) Hotel (Arabic Sub: hotel) Mall (Arabic Sub: mall) Or favorite destination (Arabic Sub: Or favorite destination) Flood their feeds with this message of hope (Arabic Sub: Flood their feeds with this message of hope) And together we can get a shattaf installed together in every bathroom around the world (Arabic Sub: And together we can get a shattaf installed together in every bathroom around the world) Text on screen in Arabic: The official platform for the Middle Eastern traveler Rehlat.com Sign-Off: Rehlat Logo Animation