Syrian director Haytham Haqqi is currently shooting his new series Aqbiyat al Mawt (Death Tunnel) in Damascus and Aleppo, after he had changed its title to Radm al Asateer (Rubbles of Legends). The series is scripted by journalist Abdel Rahman al Dhahhak in his drama debut.
“After discussions between me and Dhahhak, we agreed that Death Tunnels was an irrelevant title as it suggested something not present in the series. The writer’s aim in the first title was to refer to the Zionist secret organizations which tried to spread death and killing in order to forge and wipe out the archeological discoveries in Tal Mardich and Abilla. The relevant name as I see it and hope to secure final agreement upon is Radm al Asateer (Rubbles of Legends),” the director told the Syrian daily Tishreen.
He added, “I took the name from a poem by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish in which he says:
Archeologist is busy in stone analysis…he is searching for his eyes among the rubbles of legends…to prove that I am passing over the road…no eyes for me to distort the book of civilization…while I am implanting my plants without rushing….and about my love I sing...
I memorized this poem when I was a student in Moscow and I have been thinking of it ever since I read the text. The person who searches for himself in the rubbles of legends wants to prove that I do not exist. I believe this poem summarizes the real situation of conflict between Israel and us.”
The director said, “perhaps the title is a bit difficult but incorporating a poem for Mahmoud Darwish at the beginning of each of the 30 episodes makes it understandable and with beautiful action,”
Haqqi added, “the series is set between 1982-1984, a recent period of our history during which new discoveries from Abilla were revealed with attempt to link these discoveries and civilization with the biblical legend. It is also the period during which Israel invaded south Lebanon. The series includes many attempts by Israel to attack our civilization and heritage. Civilization conflict with Israel is very important particularly nowadays.” – Albawaba.com
