Bikku Bitti is the tallest mountain in Libya, right on the chad border. “It was
first climbed in December, 2005 by a British team led by Ginge Fullen”. I know that doesn't include the local tebou who have lived there for centuries, but oh the shame. It was a very interesting and impressive expedition, but it's sad that the race which produced the likes of Ibn Battuta can no longer claim knowledge of what's within its own borders. Wouldn't it be great to start seeing this kind of thing done more often by Libyans, and on a more general sale by the whole arab world?
There’s been a massive boom in journalism of all sorts in Libya since 17th February. As well as the myriad new television stations there are many facebook news pages run by citizen journalists. But my biggest hope is for the non-news media. The torrent of creativity now released has also seen many videos made by individuals, collectives and fledgling NGOs. Here are my favourites so far:
I really
hope some of them turn to documentaries. I’ve never really seen a great (non-dubbed) Arabic
nature documentary, just politics and occasionally religion. Perhaps we will
see the emergence of an Arabic David Attenborough (or several) in the future.
Any budding would-be documentary-makers, take your chance now and be the first. Look at all of the unexplored places I pointed out in my last couple of posts. There’s not exactly fierce
competition for time on our airwaves these days, and the niche is open for someone to explore the forgotten corners of the Arabic world. There is also an entire world of culture that most people were oblivious to before this year, and we have a heritage most western historians would die for.
If you're interested, strive for it! Try making your own shows about places you visit, learn to edit videos and then put them on Youtube or Vimeo to get exposure. Get researching your trips and
in a couple of years maybe you'll be able to approach a TV network or even university (when they are up and running) to fund your trips.
Btw I'd recommend Tropic of Cancer (from the BBC) to anyone who wants to see an awesome nature documentary filmed partly in the arab world. My favourite section was Oman.
P.S. Here's one of the archaeologists working to preserve our heritage
Btw I'd recommend Tropic of Cancer (from the BBC) to anyone who wants to see an awesome nature documentary filmed partly in the arab world. My favourite section was Oman.
P.S. Here's one of the archaeologists working to preserve our heritage
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