Al Jazeera English will give viewers a close-up and in-depth look at the Libyan revolution and Muammar Gaddafi’s downfall in a three-documentary series called “Gaddafi: The End Game,” directed and produced by Anne Reevell and premiering Thursday, December 8.
It’s very rare that you get a ringside seat in history,” said Reevell. “I was lucky enough to see a revolution through the eyes of a remarkable group of people.”
The first documentary, a two-part film called “The Long Road to Tripoli,” chronicles the story of 30-year-old Ibrahim El-Mayet and his father Abduladim as they travel from the UK to Libya to help in the final attack on Tripoli. According to the press release:
30-year-old Ibrahim El-Mayet and his father Abduladim as they take a convoy of ambulances from the UK across Europe, through Tunisia, and into the Western Mountains of Libya, where they meet up with Abdelbasset Issa, a property developer from Croydon on the outskirts of London, whose group they help arm and train for the final assault on Tripoli. The film provides a unique insight into how Libya’s ad-hoc army of committed amateurs toppled a dictatorship.”
Also interviewed by Reevell was Dr. Abdurrahim El-Keib, who is now Libya’s Prime Minister. The interview took place the night El-Keib heard the the news that the rebellion in Tripoli had begun.
“When the February 17th uprising began, the Libyan diaspora struggled with what it meant for them and how they should react. Was it a false dawn? Was it safe to openly support it? How far should they go in helping? Was their help welcome? Was their exile about to end and at what cost?” said Reevell, according to the release. “I was able to film with a small group of Libyans from the UK and got to know them well. Gradually, as the months passed, their determination that Gaddafi must go transformed them into revolutionaries. This film is the story of that journey, its effect on them and their ideal of being part of building a new country. It tells the story of the revolution and of the people they meet on the way. It’s a story of gathering momentum, change, courage and hope, which follows the main characters all the way to the newly liberated Martyrs’ Square in Tripoli.”
The third episode, “State of Denial,” shows the exclusive access Reevell had to the British and Libyan planners of the war against Gaddafi in London and Libya.
“The disintegration of the Gaddafi regime in Libya surprised and confused the world – not because it happened in the first place, but because Gaddafi’s government remained convinced it could prevail – despite defections, NATO airstrikes and a popular mass uprising,” said Reevell in the release.”
“The Long Road to Tripoli (part one)” airs on Al Jazeera English from Thursday, December 8 through Thursday, December 15 at the following times GMT: Thursday, 20h00; Friday, 12h00; Saturday, 01h00; Sunday, 06h00; Monday, 20h00; Tuesday, 12h00, Wednesday, 01h00; and Thursday, December 15, 06h00.
“The Long Road to Tripoli (part two)” airs December 15 through December 22 at the following times GMT: Thursday, 20h00; Friday, 12h00; Saturday, 01h00; Sunday, 06h00; Monday, 20h00; Tuesday, 12h00, Wednesday, 01h00; and Thursday 22 December 2011 at 06h00.
“State of Denial” airs from December 22 through December 29 at the following times GMT: Thursday, 20h00; Friday, 12h00; Saturday, 01h00; Sunday, 06h00; Monday, 20h00; Tuesday, 12h00, Wednesday, 01h00; and Thursday 29 December 2011 at 06h00.
You can learn more at Al Jazeera English’s website. You can also watch episodes at watchaljazeera.com
