Yahoo! Maktoob debuts exclusive Web drama series produced by award-winning Batoota Films

Yahoo! Maktoob is debuting today a new Arabic Web drama series titled “Fasateen”, produced by International Digital Emmy Award-winner Batoota Films and shown exclusively on Yahoo! Maktoob. The show marks Yahoo! Maktoob’s first foray into original scripted programming, and follows the life of three Lebanese women as they navigate through life’s challenges with their personal stories intersecting in 10 weekly episodes.

Episodes can be seen on Helwa as well as Yahoo! Maktoob Screen, the revamped video destination, and will include English subtitles. “Fasateen” is also interactive with every episode ending with two alternate endings, allowing the audience to guess what they think the characters will do next.

Beirut-based production company Batoota Films is winner of the International Digital Emmy Award in 2011 for Best Digital Fiction Program for its renowned Web series “Shankaboot.”

Katia Saleh, producer of “Fasateen” and founder of Batoota Films, is also the producer and the driving force behind the first Arabic Web drama series “Shankaboot.” She said, “”Fasateen” sheds light on some challenging issues that women face in their day to day lives, reflecting social frustrations and hurdles that women may struggle with in our society. Ultimately, it is a human story that we hope will engage audiences across the Middle East, through its captivating characters and also with its interactive storytelling technique.”

Muna Ismail, Content Development Manager, Yahoo! Maktoob, said, “We’re very excited to be bringing this new series to Yahoo! Maktoob as we build our portfolio of original programming.  We’re also thrilled to have partnered with Batoota Films, leveraging their great experience in Web production to create a series that we can extend to our large audience across our network.”

Aliya, Lama, and Karma: the women of Fasateen

The story of “Fasateen” revolves around three women living in Beirut: Aliya, a single mother; Lama, a rich wife; and Karma, a woman stuck between her family and a boyfriend that her family cannot accept.

As a single mother, Aliya is always concerned about the happiness and welfare of her son Ziad, especially with his father out of their lives. 

Lama lives a luxurious life with her husband’s money. She keeps herself busy shopping in the malls, visiting salons and attending her women’s committee. But you soon realize that she is a lonely soul with her husband always away.

Karma is the youngest of the three, an independent woman with strong ideal and a personality to match.  She fights to get her parents to accept her boyfriend for what he is, and not where he comes from.

The episodes of “Fasateen” have varying themes, but all three characters blend through their deep friendship.