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= UTURN Entertainment =

UTURN (يوتيرن) is a Saudi Arabian youtube channel network found in 2010 in Jeddah by Anmar Fathaldin, Abdullah Mando, and Omar Murad. The online channel network is now run by Kaswara Al-Khateeb founder of Full Stop advertising. Their shows are mainly for entertainment and have acquired millions of views, by critiquing, joking, and discussing social topics, and issues. UTURN’s productions became very popular in Saudi Arabia and have inspired and attracted more independent artists to create their own content or to join UTURN.

Abdullah Mando, one of the founders, described the reason behind choosing the name UTURN: ” represents the return, hopefully to something great. Most Arabs are proud of their history, so returning to it, to us, is a good thing.”(2) Anmar one of the founders of UTURN said about the company: “UTURN hopes to make civility natural in society. Civility is a big word with many meanings, and for that our goals are many

Origins
in 2009 The idea came when Abdullah Mando, and Anmar Fathaldin were meeting at a sushi restaurant in Canada. They then went back to Saudi and searched for investors who would make their dreams come to life. Kaswara al-khateeb from the ad agency Full Stop was their man, and in 2010 they signed a contract to work together.

Participants
The founders were: Abdullah Mando, Omar Murad, and Anmar Fathaldin. The main artists who present the shows were: stand up comedian, Omar Hussein, stand up comedian Bader Saleh, and other performers like Hatoun al-gadi, Loui Al-Shareef, Moumin Afandi, Ahmad Fathaldin, and many others. Directors like Eyad Maghazil, Ali Al-Attas, and Mohammed Makki were the visual geniuses in UTURN.

Methods
-Move society towards change with Comedy and humor.

-Highlight government slacking through satirical news reading.

-Remain respectful and move smartly within the given structure.

-Use rap music and poetry to highlight negatives in society

Responding with rationalism to extreme emotional responses towards the insult of the prophet. UTURN highlight intellectual, religious scholars, and ordinary people who promote tolerance and understanding instead of reactionary outbursts.

The Sun figure symbolizes the deep state and its secret police. In 3al6ayer, this character loomed in the background, and around every corner. In this shot it’s tracking down anti-government activists on the internet. Joking about it helped undermine it, and pushed the limits of free speech in Saudi.

In Noon al-niswa (The Feminine letter), the mainstream stereotype for what defines a Saudi woman  is constantly undermined in order for a new generation of woman to actualize their potential. In this episode the attitudes for quick activist-fame on twitter are criticized by showing how those fame seekers preach humanity while treating workers unjustly.

The Presenter of the show Noon al-niswa, Hatoon Al-gadi, in this episodes mocks the behavior of wealthy Arabs abroad. She is frustrated with their obsession with shopping and the accumulation of wealth. An obvious critique of the effect of consumerism on Saudi/Muslim society is always present in her show, and how that in return limits the capacity for woman to be productive.

Notable Shows
3al6ayer:

Eysh Elly:

Fe2a Fala:

Fallimha:

Noon al-niswa:

Wasm:

Takki:

Legacy
During the same time many other youtube shows appeared on the scene. Many of which, were inspired by UTURN.

More satirical news readings appeared, and the ability to criticize authority became much more common.

Khambalah, an experimental, provocative, and highly artistic show also appeared attracting millions of views with its intelligent humor, and social commentary.

Masameer, for the first time a cartoon show made by a local team, attracted millions of views with its very subtle criticism of popular culture, sectarian divides, and extremism.