2019 Winners & Shortlists

HOW IT BEGINS

BrandMEZZAN HOLDING COMPANY
Product/ServiceKITCO
EntrantBEATTIE + DANE Kuwait City, KUWAIT
CategoryDirection
Idea Creation BEATTIE + DANE Kuwait City, KUWAIT
Media Placement MAGNA GLOBAL Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Production GOOD PEOPLE Beirut, LEBANON
Additional Company SLINGSHOT Kuwait, KUWAIT

Write a short summary of what happens in the film.

The film opens to iconic shots of the Gulf region and begins to zoom into a familiar local neighborhood. We start to see different parts of this neighborhood on a mundane day when suddenly a boy with a jukebox appears and a traditional Kuwaiti chant is heard reminiscent of 1970’s classic Arabian melodies. A tune that represents everything about the blend of cultures within the city. The music starts to pick up in what sounds like a remix as we are introduced to different characters - Conservative, Progressive, Arab, Western. As they come together, we witness the start of a movement as something is about to begin. As the melody intensifies, the movements become more deliberate and forms of expression start to extend beyond dance and into fashion, chanting, driving and hair flips creating what feels like a collective movement... Something is coming... It Begins with KITCO.

Cultural/Context information for the jury

The culture of the Middle East is known to be expressive in nature. Through sound and elaborate visuals that are graphic and bold. However, there is still respect to the context of how things are expressed. KITCO is known to be a brand for families and generations. Kids grew up eating KITCO from parents who grew up with KITCO. However, today the term culture is broader and is influenced by diversity in what we see and hear. The concept of the film was built on creating a visual expression that would take the best of what we knew then and know now and remix it into something original and special for the progressive Arab audience of today. Something that felt of the time with distinct references to nostalgic beats and dance moves that an older audience would appreciate.

Tell the jury anything relevant about the direction.

For the vision to come to life it was important to recognize that a nod to nostalgia would help set the tone but need to be elevated or remixed to showcase a new era for KITCO. The visual concept was to create a distinct contrast between old and new, creating a beautiful modern reinterpretation of what our culture is today. A remix, something new and cool inspired by traditions we know. Incorporating visuals from nature that would balance out the movements of the choreography was key in developing the narrative. The intensity of the music, another nod to familiar sounds and traditional dances, would serve as the energy to transition between old world and new world. Because the narrative needed to feel authentic, the usage of handheld freestyle cameras at different points along with mixing media like vignettes, VHS and iphone videos complimented the dynamic choreography adding depth and perspective.

Credits

Name Company Role
Dana Alhanbali Beattie + Dane Brand Director
Anes Al Rayes Beattie + Dane Executive Creative Director
Mostafa Faramawy Beattie + Dane Executive Producer
Daniah Al Aoudah Beattie + Dane Creative Collaborator
Sabine Farah Good People Executive Producer
Nancy Sabagh Good People Executive Producer
Chantal El Haber Good People Producer
Lana Sennawy Good People Director
Tahoun Good People DOP
Wael Mandour Good People Assistant Director
Lionel Soria  Good People Art Director
Beatrice Harb Good People Stylist
Rita Girgis Good People Casting Director
Amr Rabee Lizard Editor
Karim Mira Lizard Colorist
Sary Hany Key 66 Music + Sound Design
Rudy Abushebl Good People Photographer
Romy Zalloum Good People Post Production Producer
Donia Refaat Good People Post Production Producer
Aslan Tarek Good People Post Production Producer
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