"DOK" series: Adventures in the Gulf
Swiss everyday life in Qatar + the Emirates. During the World Cup, all eyes are on the Persian Gulf region, especially Qatar + the Federation of the Seven Arab Emirates. The four-part series "Adventures in the Gulf" shows the everyday life of Swiss people who have moved to the Gulf - partly because of the World Cup. In addition to marvelling at and experiencing this foreign region, the series also offers the audience a critical insight into the world of the desert monarchies and their value system.
During the preparations for the World Cup, "DOK" accompanies, for example, the trade unionist Rita Schiavi, who, together with an international team of trade unionists, has been regularly carrying out inspections on the stadium construction sites in Qatar since 2018. Or Coralie Durussel, a French-Swiss woman who came to Doha as a small child, is now married to a Qatari and works for the Supreme Committee, the body responsible for organising the entire World Cup. DOK" also shows Chris Franzen, the hotelier from Valais, who has to spruce up the Waldorf Astoria Lusail Hotel on behalf of the Qataris until the start of the World Cup. Also part of the series is Matteo Boffa, a young entrepreneur from Ticino who wants to use the economic boom in Dubai to earn money with sustainable start-ups. In addition, "DOK" accompanies Andrea Hirschi, a hairdresser from Bern, who moved to Dubai with her daughter because her husband Remo took a job there as a project manager.
Swiss workers are in great demand in the oil states on the Persian Gulf. There are 3000 Swiss living in the United Arab Emirates alone, about 1200 men, 800 women + 1000 children.
What are these Swiss doing in the scorching desert heat, in the countries of the emirs, sheikhs and multi-millionaires? How much do luxury and glamour, but also restrictions, shape their lives? How is life in the Gulf as a Western woman, as a family? Or to put it another way: is everyday life as we know it even possible in the Emirates? How do they arrange themselves between the different cultures and what can they learn - despite all the differences - from this foreign culture?
"Adventures in the Gulf" is an extraordinary series that gives insight into a foreign world and culture as you have never seen it before. The filming turned out to be very difficult due to the critical reporting in the West in the run-up to the World Cup. Nevertheless, "DOK" succeeded in accompanying the Swiss through the last year before the big tournament.
Broadcasting of 4 series on 28th of November 2022 till 06th of December 2022 starting with the first series at 10.55pm on 3sat
Music: POPVIRUS Library