Freej
Encyclopedia
Freej is an Emirati
three-dimensional
, computer animated
television series
for children
and adults alike.
The show was produced by Mohammed Saeed Harib
, who also directed the fifteen standalone episodes of fifteen minutes each. It is the tale of four old Emirati
women living in a secluded neighbourhood in modern day Dubai
. The show's main characters - Um Saeed, Um Saloom, Um Allawi and Um Khammas - try to live a peaceful life in the midst of the ever-expanding city around them, but the city’s boom unveils new social issues every day that they would have to tackle solve in their own simple way. For those four old women, there is no issue too hard to crack with a good cup of coffee at Um Saeed’s house.
The show's title is a reference to "freej", a term which means "neighbourhood" in Emirati Arabic, based on accent of the people of Dubai's slums. So far, Freej is only available in Arabic
, and is not likely to be dubbed into other languages due to the show's heavy use of the Emirati dialect, which is integral to the show's humour factor. However, the show can still be subtitled.
The show premiered on September 24, 2006 in during Ramadan
in Sama Dubai
, and ever since it returns with new episodes traditionally debuting every year during Ramadan.
. A small demo was created to test the concept and shortly after it was given the official go ahead by the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders (SME) who took on the initial funding of the project. In September 2005, with around 3 million Dhs of fund provided by the SME http://www.uaeinteract.com/news/default.asp?ID=45, Lammtara Pictures was established to overlook the production and a team of almost 500 people were signed up to make this big dream a reality.
The series was premiered on 24 September 2006 – the first day of Ramadan http://www.uaeinteract.com/news/default.asp?ID=45, and was broadcast across the GCC
countries on 'Sama Dubai' (Dubai's Sky), one of Dubai's many TV channels and which is majorly aimed for the broadcast of local programs and material. The series became an instant success and a major hit in the region http://www.ameinfo.com/98341.html with immense viewership in the Gulf especially among UAE Nationals.
In 2007, Dubai One, an English Channel (which is also part of DMI
) announces that Freej will still be Arabic in Dubai One but with English subtitles and put two episodes a week before TMZ
.
In 2008, Season 2 DVD'S are released in September at Toys R Us etc.
In 2010, via a partnership deal with Turner Broadcasting System
, Lammtara, the Dubai-based studio company behind Freejs production, had agreed to broadcast the show on the newly-launched Cartoon Network Arabic
channel, making Freej one of the first home-produced shows for that channel, along with the Jordan
ian series Ben & Izzy
. Additionally, the main characters from Freej are added for a localised version of Skatoony
at April 12, 2011.
, Awraq Publishing, Arab Radio Network, JBM and the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders (SME). The show also benefited from a pool of 100 volunteers from across all national universities who worked hard on the research and development part of it.
, although they are sometimes re-aired sometime later in the year. Season one aired on 2006 and season 2 aired on 2007. On September 1(Ramadan 1), 2008 the third season aired and finaled on September 12, 2008, and is re-airing its episodes for the rest of Ramadan.
Fourth season is complete and the fifth season is coming soon.
Voted number one show of all Dubai.
In the second season the writer Najla El Shihi wrote six episodes and Amna Al Mansoori wrote nine.
, which provoked criticism from some viewers. In defence Mohammed Saeed Hareb said that the episode reflects how Muslims can wander and become "bad" but that Um Saeed corrects Um Khamas and helps her straightens herself out.
This episode was not broadcast in the rerun of the season.
In an episode that was Broadcast on 12th of August, 2011, Um Saeed had a Heart attack while visiting patients at a Hospital due to being insulted by a friend. She 'Dies' at the end of the episode as the nurses and doctors run in to attemp to re-start her Heart. After the Credits had finished. Um saeed's heart Miraculously began to beat again.
. Freej will get a special hour long episode that will air on Eid
. The episode will feature a surprise guest.
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
three-dimensional
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
, computer animated
Computer animation
Computer animation is the process used for generating animated images by using computer graphics. The more general term computer generated imagery encompasses both static scenes and dynamic images, while computer animation only refers to moving images....
television series
Cartoon series
A cartoon series is a set of regularly presented animated television programs with a common series title, usually related to one another. These episodes typically share the same characters and a basic theme...
for children
Children's television series
Children's television series, are commercial television programs designed for, and marketed to children, normally scheduled for broadcast during the morning and afternoon when children are awake. They can sometimes run in the early evening, for the children that go to school...
and adults alike.
The show was produced by Mohammed Saeed Harib
Mohammed Saeed Harib
Mohammed Saeed Harib was chose General Arts and Animation as a major when studying at North Eastern University in Boston between 1995 and 2001. He joined Dubai Media City’s marketing department in 2003 and worked on several high level initiatives such as the Dubai International Film Festival, the...
, who also directed the fifteen standalone episodes of fifteen minutes each. It is the tale of four old Emirati
Emirati people
Emirati people or people of the United Arab Emirates are citizens and an ethnic group who share their culture, descent and the Arabic variety of the United Arab Emirates...
women living in a secluded neighbourhood in modern day Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
. The show's main characters - Um Saeed, Um Saloom, Um Allawi and Um Khammas - try to live a peaceful life in the midst of the ever-expanding city around them, but the city’s boom unveils new social issues every day that they would have to tackle solve in their own simple way. For those four old women, there is no issue too hard to crack with a good cup of coffee at Um Saeed’s house.
The show's title is a reference to "freej", a term which means "neighbourhood" in Emirati Arabic, based on accent of the people of Dubai's slums. So far, Freej is only available in Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
, and is not likely to be dubbed into other languages due to the show's heavy use of the Emirati dialect, which is integral to the show's humour factor. However, the show can still be subtitled.
The show premiered on September 24, 2006 in during Ramadan
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and...
in Sama Dubai
Sama Dubai
Sama Dubai is a member company and subsidiary of Dubai Holding, a holding company set up by the government of Dubai. Sama Dubai was created as a company with wider responsibility and mandate than its previous predecessor . Sama Dubai is practically the international property arm of Dubai Holding...
, and ever since it returns with new episodes traditionally debuting every year during Ramadan.
History
FREEJ started off as a six page study book in 1998 but it never materialised until 2003 when it was adopted by Dubai Media CityDubai Media City
Dubai Media City , part of Dubai Holding, is a tax-free zone within Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It has been built by the Dubai government to boost UAE's media foothold, and has become a regional hub for media organizations including news agencies, publishing, online media, advertising, production,...
. A small demo was created to test the concept and shortly after it was given the official go ahead by the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders (SME) who took on the initial funding of the project. In September 2005, with around 3 million Dhs of fund provided by the SME http://www.uaeinteract.com/news/default.asp?ID=45, Lammtara Pictures was established to overlook the production and a team of almost 500 people were signed up to make this big dream a reality.
The series was premiered on 24 September 2006 – the first day of Ramadan http://www.uaeinteract.com/news/default.asp?ID=45, and was broadcast across the GCC
Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf , also known as the Gulf Cooperation Council , is a political and economic union of the Arab states bordering the Persian Gulf and constituting the Arabian Peninsula, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates...
countries on 'Sama Dubai' (Dubai's Sky), one of Dubai's many TV channels and which is majorly aimed for the broadcast of local programs and material. The series became an instant success and a major hit in the region http://www.ameinfo.com/98341.html with immense viewership in the Gulf especially among UAE Nationals.
In 2007, Dubai One, an English Channel (which is also part of DMI
Dubai Media Incorporated
Dubai Media Incorporated is the official media organization of the government of Dubai. It was established in 2003 as a government-owned company comprising a number of print, radio and TV channels under its umbrella including: Dubai TV, Al Bayan, Sama Dubai, Dubai One, Dubai Sports, Dubai Racing,...
) announces that Freej will still be Arabic in Dubai One but with English subtitles and put two episodes a week before TMZ
TMZ.com
TMZ.com is a celebrity news website that debuted on November 8, 2005. It was a collaboration between America Online and Telepictures Productions, a division of Warner Bros., until Time Warner divested AOL in 2009. However, it is still affiliated with AOL News and has the AOL News logo affixed in...
.
In 2008, Season 2 DVD'S are released in September at Toys R Us etc.
In 2010, via a partnership deal with Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. is the Time Warner subsidiary managing the collection of cable networks and properties started and acquired by Robert Edward "Ted" Turner starting in the mid-1970s. The company has its headquarters in the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. TBS, Inc...
, Lammtara, the Dubai-based studio company behind Freejs production, had agreed to broadcast the show on the newly-launched Cartoon Network Arabic
Cartoon Network Arabic
Cartoon Network Arabic is a free-to-air children's channel that is broadcast for a pan-Arabian audience in the MENA region, and it is the official Arabic edition of Cartoon Network. The channel was launched on October 10, 2010 at 10:10 am U.A.E. time...
channel, making Freej one of the first home-produced shows for that channel, along with the Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
ian series Ben & Izzy
Ben & Izzy
Ben & Izzy is a Jordanian three-dimensional, computer animated children's television series. It was produced by Jordan's rising educational and CGI animation company Rubicon...
. Additionally, the main characters from Freej are added for a localised version of Skatoony
Skatoony
Skatoony is a children's quiz show, pitting live-action kids against cartoons. The show used to air on Cartoon Network in the UK. It is hosted by 'Chudd Chudders' and 'The Earl' .-History:...
at April 12, 2011.
Rights
The show is now in official association with Dubai Media CityDubai Media City
Dubai Media City , part of Dubai Holding, is a tax-free zone within Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It has been built by the Dubai government to boost UAE's media foothold, and has become a regional hub for media organizations including news agencies, publishing, online media, advertising, production,...
, Awraq Publishing, Arab Radio Network, JBM and the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders (SME). The show also benefited from a pool of 100 volunteers from across all national universities who worked hard on the research and development part of it.
Characters
The show stars four main characters (all of whom wear traditional battoulahs on their faces):Um Saeed
- Eldest member of the group and the wisest
- Loves reciting poetry and old traditional sayings
- Has a short posture
- Very sarcastic in nature
- Addicted to coffee
- The group gathers at her house everyday
- Shortest member of the group
Um Saloom
- The kindest member of the quartet.
- Suffers from temporary memory loss.
- Never leads and always tags along.
Um Allawi
- The tallest member of the group and the most educated.
- Addicted to all kinds of gizmos and gadgets.
- Has her own mobile and laptop.
- She is a close follower of the stock market.
Um Khammas
- The rebellious member of the group.
- A three time widow.
- Runs her own catering service and traditional music band.
- Has a very dictating strong personality.
Guest/Others
- Khalid Herya (Arabic : خالد حرية ) - National Figure known for being the best football supporter in the Middle East
- Um Jameel
- The Tribe Advisor
- Zubaidah
- Rahmah the Teacher
- Bu Daryah
- Um Al Duwais
- Bu Khammas
- Rafeeq
- Dalouat Dubai
- Um Um Khammas
- Agha
- Abood (Season 2)
- Fatoom Eloom (Season 3)
- Jameela (Season 3)
- Mary Lou
Seasons
Freej's seasons premier at the rate of one season every RamadanRamadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and...
, although they are sometimes re-aired sometime later in the year. Season one aired on 2006 and season 2 aired on 2007. On September 1(Ramadan 1), 2008 the third season aired and finaled on September 12, 2008, and is re-airing its episodes for the rest of Ramadan.
Fourth season is complete and the fifth season is coming soon.
Trivia
The second season first episode was watched by 680,000 viewers making it one of the most watched shows in Dubai.Voted number one show of all Dubai.
In the second season the writer Najla El Shihi wrote six episodes and Amna Al Mansoori wrote nine.
Controversy
In the episode called "Blagh El Kazeb" Um Khamas was going to die in ten days. Um Saeed councils Um Khamas and helps her straighten herself out. Um Khamas then becomes strongly religious and is miraculously cured. In this episode Um Khamas says derogatory things about IslamIslam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, which provoked criticism from some viewers. In defence Mohammed Saeed Hareb said that the episode reflects how Muslims can wander and become "bad" but that Um Saeed corrects Um Khamas and helps her straightens herself out.
This episode was not broadcast in the rerun of the season.
In an episode that was Broadcast on 12th of August, 2011, Um Saeed had a Heart attack while visiting patients at a Hospital due to being insulted by a friend. She 'Dies' at the end of the episode as the nurses and doctors run in to attemp to re-start her Heart. After the Credits had finished. Um saeed's heart Miraculously began to beat again.
Freej 2009: The Book Of Riddles and The Special
On Ramadan 2009 Freej airs a quiz show that is about 2 to 3 minutes long. The prize is 500,000 AEDUnited Arab Emirates dirham
The dirham is the currency of the United Arab Emirates. The ISO 4217 code for the United Arab Emirates dirham is AED. Unofficial abbreviations include DH or Dhs. The dirham is subdivided into 100 ....
. Freej will get a special hour long episode that will air on Eid
Eid ul-Fitr
Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al-Fitr, Id-ul-Fitr, or Id al-Fitr , often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting . Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity," while Fiṭr means "breaking the fast"...
. The episode will feature a surprise guest.
External links
- Freej Official website - The official website for the animated series.
- Gulfnews.com - An article about supporting Freej from Zayed University.
- Oman3d.com - An early Omani article regarding the anticipation of the series..