‘Death Tunnels’ Tackles Syrian, Lebanese Modern History

Syrian prominent director Haitham Haqqi has started the filming of his new drama Aqbiyat al Mawt (death tunnels) which is one of the few series which tackle the Syrian modern history.  

The 30-episode series scripted by Abdel Rahman al Dahhaq, tackles the events witnessed during the period between 1982-1984 and surveys the cultural and civilization struggle with the Israeli enemy and his western allies during that period. It also sheds light on the Ebla excavations and the attempts by “Zionist agencies” to distort the historical facts through the Italian scientist Betty Nato Giovani, who was a member of the excavating mission in Tal Mardikh.  

The series also tackles the political developments during that period, the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the subsequent plots inside Syria.  

Costarring in the series a number of Syrian and Lebanese stars, including: Khaled Taja, Hatem Ali, Abdel Hadi al Sabbagh, Hana Mansour and Sulaf Fawakherji, from Syria, and Antwan Kurbaj, Nidal Ashqar, Ward al Khal and Mai Sayegh from Lebanon. The episodes will be produced by Andrine Company for Art Production and the scenes will be shot in Syria, Lebanon, France, Italy and Cyprus. 

Haqqi returned with his new series after he had wrapped shooting his social series Qaws Quzah (rainbow) in his second collaborative work with the writer Khaled Khalifa after the series Seerat al Jalali, (the story of the Jalalis).  

Haqqi is considered one of the few Syrian directors who established and advocated what was called later “Syrian drama,” which refers to a boost in distinguished TV drama productions in the country, which received applaud at the Arab level.  

His masterpiece, Hijrat al Quloob Ila Quloob (emigration of hearts to other hearts) which was screened in the early 1980s, is considered an epical work that ushered the new era. He also directed the series Daeret al Nar (Fire Circle), al Dughri, Khan al Harir, al Gurabaa (The Strangers), Lail al Khaefin (Frightened People’s Nights) and others. 

The Syrian director has also shot many important films, including al Orjuha (The Swing), for which he won the special jury award at the Prague Film Festival -- Albawaba.com