Latest news with #WeWed
Broadcast Pro
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Viu launches Arabic reality special ‘The Big Bang Birthday' featuring Arab creators
Directed by Farah Alameh, a Lebanese independent filmmaker and lecturer at Lebanese University, the special combines a clear visual identity with narrative sensitivity. Viu, the pan-regional OTT video platform from PCCW, has premiered its latest Arabic reality original, The Big Bang Birthday, following the success of last year's We Wed. The new special debuted exclusively on Viu on 23 June, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into contemporary Arab identity, friendship and self-expression in Abu Dhabi. The show follows four popular creators as they secretly plan a birthday celebration for Egyptian digital star Hadeel Marei, whose bold humour and expressive style have earned her more than 2m Instagram followers. The group includes Amy Roko, a Saudi creator recognised for her anonymity and sharp social commentary; Dana Halabi, a Syrian lifestyle influencer in Dubai known for her warmth and insight; Jara, Saudi Arabia's first female rapper; and Yussra Youssif, a Sudanese beauty and fashion figure admired for her striking looks. As the friends orchestrate the surprise, viewers see their authentic personalities emerge against the backdrop of Abu Dhabi's landmarks, from Ferrari World and teamLab Phenomena to the Souk and Mangrove National Park. What starts as a simple party evolves into a thoughtful exploration of connection and identity, culminating in a heartfelt moment when Hadeel receives her unexpected gift. Samer Majzoub, General Manager of Viu MENA, said: 'The Big Bang Birthday exemplifies Viu's commitment to Arabic original productions and locally rooted storytelling that bridges entertainment and cultural insight. The authentic emotion and relatable production style of this female-led production connect us to the cultural heartbeat of Saudi Arabia, UAE and the rest of the Arab region.' Directed by Lebanese filmmaker and lecturer Farah Alameh, The Big Bang Birthday combines polished visuals with documentary realism, capturing the cast's relationships with sincerity. A private screening was held on 22 June at Vox Cinemas in Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi, ahead of the public premiere on Viu for mobile and connected TV audiences.
Campaign ME
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
Viu launches new Arabic reality special ‘The Big Bang Birthday'
Viu has premiered a new Arabic Viu Original reality special, The Big Bang Birthday, which began streaming on 23 June across the MENA region. The one-off special is the latest in Viu's ongoing investment in locally rooted content and follows the success of 2023's We Wed (ليلة العمر). Set and filmed in Abu Dhabi, the programme follows four prominent Arab influencers as they plan a surprise birthday celebration for digital creator Hadeel Marei. Known for her outspoken humour and expressive style, Marei has amassed over two million Instagram followers and a strong regional following across Egypt and the Gulf. The cast includes Saudi content creator Amy Roko, Syrian lifestyle influencer Dana Halabi, Saudi rapper Jara and Sudanese beauty creator Yussra Youssif. The show explores the group dynamic as they organise the celebration, offering viewers a candid look at female friendships and cultural identity through the lens of a weekend-long surprise. Shot across recognisable Abu Dhabi locations — including Ferrari World, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, the Mangrove National Park and the Abu Dhabi Souk — the show blends travel, lifestyle and unscripted reality formats. The special culminates in a final surprise moment revealed to Marei during the celebration. Directed by Lebanese filmmaker and university lecturer Farah Alameh, the production adopts a documentary-inspired visual style with cinematic elements. A private screening was held ahead of the launch at VOX Cinemas, Yas Mall. Samer Majzoub, General Manager of Viu MENA, said the project reflects the platform's commitment to Arabic-language productions and culturally relevant storytelling: 'The authentic emotion and relatable production style of this female-led special connect us to the cultural heartbeat of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the wider region.' The Big Bang Birthday is now streaming exclusively on Viu.
Web Release
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Web Release
Viu premieres Arabic Viu Original reality special, The Big Bang Birthday
Viu, PCCW's leading pan regional OTT video-streaming platform, unveils its latest Arabic reality Viu Original, The Big Bang Birthday. Following the success of last year's We Wed (???? ?????), the special is set to premiere on 23 June exclusively on Viu. The show offers viewers a candid, culturally resonant portrait of friendship, self-expression and contemporary Arab identity in the UAE capital. It tracks four influential content creators as they plan a surprise birthday celebration for Hadeel Marei, an Egyptian digital creator known for her outspoken humour and expressive style which has helped her connect with audiences across the Arab world, including over two million Instagram followers. Hadeel's friends include Amy Roko, a Saudi content creator known for her anonymity and social commentary; Dana Halabi, a Syrian Dubai based lifestyle influencer whose warm presence and interpersonal insight ground the group dynamic; Jara, Saudi Arabia's first female rapper, navigating the intersection of music and representation; and Yussra Youssif, a Sudanese beauty and fashion creator celebrated for her striking style. The group reveals their authentic selves throughout the party-planning process, as what begins as a casual weekend transforms into a rich exploration of connections, set against Abu Dhabi's vibrant urban landscape. Filmed across key locations including Ferrari World, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Souk and Mangrove National Park, the programme weaves together moments of humour, tension and reflection. The narrative reaches its emotional peak when Hadeel receives her gift – an ultimate surprise that she did not see coming. 'The Big Bang Birthday exemplifies Viu's commitment to Arabic original productions and locally rooted storytelling that bridges entertainment and cultural insight,' said Samer Majzoub, General Manager of Viu MENA. 'The authentic emotion and relatable production style of this female-led production connect us to the cultural heartbeat of Saudi Arabia, UAE and the rest of the Arab region.' Directed by Farah Alameh, a Lebanese independent filmmaker and lecturer at Lebanese University, the special combines a clear visual identity with narrative sensitivity. Her approach balances cinematic polish with documentary realism, allowing the cast's personalities and relationships to unfold with authenticity.
