Until today, you probably never thought of forcing an overly-trimmed sheep into a barber, as Tawel Balak “Have Some Patience“ did. With a dose of humor and Palestinian spices, the TV show proves how practical jokes can be the answer when tensions abound.
With 1.8 million inhabitants suffering from blockade and water and electricity shortages, “people feel suffocated and need to laugh”, says the show’s director Mo’min Alshiyoukh. At the beggining, however, “people were furious”, admits cameraman Ahmed Alras in an interview with France 24. “Here in Gaza, Palestinians are under huge pressure, and don’t have the tolerance for us to joke around”.
But the Palestinian version of Candid Camera is certain that laughter is the perfect antidote against despair, and offers an alternative outlook on problems to Palestinians, who are pushed to the limits –but no longer lose their temper.
Now in its third season, the program can be watched online and is broadcast on satellite television.
More information – Tawel Balak’s Facebook page.
