ARAB LABOR is a raucous and irreverent critically acclaimed comedy series from Israel about Amjad, a Palestinian journalist and Israeli citizen in search of his identity. His personal quest for status and success as a jour... more »nalist at a Jerusalem newspaper is foiled by the humiliating searches he endures everyday when he leaves his Palestinian neighborhood to commute to his job. In the midst of a walloping identity crisis, Amjad jockeys between two cultures as he tries to polish his image for his Jewish friends and colleagues while enjoying his own down-to-earth family life.« less
Creator:Clara Khoury Genres:Comedy, Television Sub-Genres:Comedy, Comedy Studio:Alive Mind Format:DVD - Color - Dubbed,Subtitled DVD Release Date: 07/14/2009 Original Release Date: 01/01/2008 Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/2008 Release Year: 2009 Run Time: 5hr 0min Screens: Color Number of Discs: 2 SwapaDVD Credits: 2 Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 2 MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated) Languages:Hebrew, Arabic Subtitles:English
"This product is mostly in Hebrew, but is subtitled in English. I was lucky to get an early release copy. This is the Israeli version of "The Jeffersons" or "Good Times". It is groundbreaking as it is a series about a family of Palestinian-Israelis. A view of Israeli and Palestinian-Israeli life from the view of an Arab-Israeli. He is a normal father, husband and son who is trying to fit in to a dual society. He isn't a confrontational person nor is he controversial, he is just trying to make it through the day and have a normal life. Not only is this a great glimpse into lives that most Americans and even most Israelis will never see, but it is FUNNY. It is life, whether it is trying to find a good kindergarten for his daughter or dealing with parents or in-laws."
Loved It
Kathy Lundberg | Port Orchard, WA | 07/12/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I caught this series when a marathon of it aired on LINK TV. The characters are all great and each episode is genuinely funny. It is the story of an Arab family living in Israel. Controversial subjects like rascism and religion are somehow handled with humor and humanity. I Highly recommend watching."
Arab Labor
David Stewart | ATL | 08/26/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Cutting social commentary done in a humorous way. Should be required viewing for all potential suicide bombers and ultra orthodox settlers."
No Hugs, No Lessons Learned
L. Dean Webb | Dallas, TX United States | 08/15/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Seinfeld" was supposed to be a show about nothing - no hugs at the end, no lessons learned - just straight up human frailties. "Arab Labor" borrows that aspect of "Seinfeld" and marries it to "All in the Family" and then ships the whole thing over to Israel. It works completely.
When I say "Arab Labor" on LinkTV, I fell out of my chair laughing. I have been waiting for season one and now I shall have it! This is, far and away, one of the greatest sitcoms ever made. It's irreverent, yet playful. True, you need to know some history here and there to get some of the jokes, but it's very accessible comedy - if you don't mind reading along. I'll admit my Hebrew and Arabic aren't up to snuff, but the jokes do translate well enough for me to fall in love with them.
If you have no sense of humor, don't buy this. If you love it when sacred cows become hamburger, then this product is both kosher and halal."
What a wonderful series
Shai Farber | St. Louis USA | 08/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I happened to glance at Link TV one day, and this series happened to be on at the time.
Since Hebrew is my mother tongue, I had to watch.
The plot is about the trials and tribulations of Amjad, a journalist of Arab Israeli descent. The show's language is mainly Hebrew with Arabic and English interspersed throughout. In Israel the title Arab Labor, is akin to shoddy labor. It was/is used as a denigrating phrase for Arab capability.
The show is funny and full of heart. Amjad is torn between the respect he owes to his scheming father, and his modern secular upbringing, which bring him closer in spirit to the modern secular Israelis.However since he is an Arab, he does encounter bias in every turn. How his problems are handled, is the main crux of the plot, and they are handled with love and a great sense of humor.