Documentary On Saudi Views and Memories of the United States

Proposal

By

Mazin Motabagani

Both Americans and Saudis are keen at strengthening relations between the two friendly nations. Both sides are working hard through different programs and projects. Few years ago a young man produced a documentary about the Aramco Brats which showed the lives and memories of Americans who lived in Saudi Arabia and particularly the Eastern Province. It showed their houses, schools and different aspects of their social life. These people expressed their feelings and sentiments toward the host country which some of them considered it their home and the second one.

This movie sparked in my mind the idea that there are thousands of Saudis who lived in the United States and spent the so-called their formative years there. Their whole life was shaped after that experience. They gained so much intellectually and socially. And since the relationships between the two countries is not limited to the political side which is very important, the intellectual, social and cultural sides are almost forgotten or rather neglected

In this documentary, we shall interview many of them and specially those who have written about their experience and what they learned in the United States. The interviews with be conducted with a wide range of persons from all lifestyles; from ministers to executive officials to even ordinary people. The interviews will include students who went to school in America and to businessmen and women who had frequent visits to the USA.

The documentary should be in both Languages Arabic and English. The introduction to the movie will be a brief review of some of the famous writers who wrote about the United States starting with the late Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi who wrote a nice memoirs about his days in Los Angles. However, Al-Ghaththami did not live in the United States but his book is worth mentioning. Of course there were others who wrote about the United States some articles or memories.

Such a project needs backing and support from various supports starting with the American Embassy in Riyadh to different businesses and companies.

In order to embark on such a project two teams should be formed: one to research into the history of the relationships between to produce a list of candidates to be interviewed and how to conduct the interview.

The second team will be in charge with the technical side of the movie such as filming and the scenario or scenarios and the sites to be filmed.