Abu El-Hana's Dreams

Season 1

1996 · 30 episodes

Across 30 standalone episodes, Abu Al-Hana navigates the everyday chaos of work, marriage, family, and neighborhood life. Whether he's dealing with an unreasonable boss, trying to stretch his paycheck, or getting caught up in his neighbors' problems, his attempts to make life a little easier rarely go according to plan. Each misadventure offers a humorous glimpse into the struggles and absurdities of everyday life in Syria.

Episodes

1. 1

   1. Live on the Air

   21 Jan 1996

   While shopping for an expensive gift for a relative in Australia, Abu Al-Hana and his wife, Umm Al-Khair, unexpectedly find themselves approached for a live television interview. What starts as an ordinary shopping trip soon puts Abu Al-Hana in an uncomfortable situation with the authorities.

2. 2

   2. TV Contests

   22 Jan 1996

   Umm Al-Khair wants a new refrigerator, but Abu Al-Hana's wallet has other plans. When his mother tells him about a television contest offering household appliances as prizes, he sees a chance to get what they need without spending a fortune.

3. 3

   3. Wrongful Termination

   23 Jan 1996

   Abu Al-Hana's habit of showing up late and disappearing from his desk catches the attention of his boss, Manaf. Yet somehow, he keeps getting away with it, leaving Manaf wondering whether there's someone powerful looking out for him.

4. 4

   4. A Little Pain

   24 Jan 1996

   A minor health complaint sends Abu Al-Hana to the doctor, where he's told there's something wrong with his spine. What should be a straightforward medical visit takes an increasingly bizarre turn as he finds himself at the mercy of an unusual group of doctors.

5. 5

   5. Prohibited Goods

   25 Jan 1996

   After undergoing heart surgery abroad, Abu Al-Hana's mother is finally on her way home with a medical device implanted in her heart. But their return takes a ridiculous turn when airport officials classify the device as prohibited goods and decide to detain her, leaving Abu Al-Hana caught in a bizarre situation.

6. 6

   6. Family Picnic

   26 Jan 1996

   Abu Al-Hana heads into the countryside with Umm Al-Khair, his mother-in-law, and their friends Ismail and Zuhour for a day of fresh air and relaxation. But with this particular group spending the day together, a peaceful family picnic is easier planned than enjoyed.

7. 7

   7. A Rare Find

   27 Jan 1996

   When Umm Al-Khair asks Abu Al-Hana to buy some bananas, he refuses to pay their outrageous price. As the cost of the fruit becomes a public controversy, a simple grocery purchase turns into a surprisingly heated debate about the rising cost of living.

8. 8

   8. A Plate of Fava Beans

   28 Jan 1996

   When Ismail tells Abu Al-Hana how buying their boss a cheap meal earned him special treatment at work, Abu Al-Hana begins to wonder whether getting ahead might be easier than he thought. All it takes, apparently, is the right lunch with the right person.

9. 9

   9. A Courtesy Visit

   29 Jan 1996

   When Manaf is hospitalized after suffering a stroke, Ismail organizes a visit with their coworkers but leaves Abu Al-Hana out. Not wanting to appear inconsiderate, Abu Al-Hana decides to visit his boss anyway, bringing Umm Al-Khair along for the occasion.

10. 10

    10. The Friendly Neighbors

    30 Jan 1996

    Hoping to get better acquainted with the people in his apartment building, Abu Al-Hana invites his neighbors over for a friendly gathering. Unfortunately, everyone seems to have a strong opinion about everything, making polite conversation a challenge.

11. 11

    11. A Hot Night

    31 Jan 1996

    When a dancer moves into Abu Al-Hana's apartment building, her loud rehearsals quickly become a headache for the neighbors. Fed up with the constant noise, Abu Al-Hana joins the residents in taking their complaints to the police.

12. 12

    12. A Piece of Embroidery Canvas

    1 Feb 1996

    When his mother's telephone service gets disconnected over an unpaid bill, Abu Al-Hana heads to the telephone office to straighten things out. But dealing with government employees and their endless paperwork proves much harder than simply paying what she owes.

13. 13

    13. Luxury Tax

    2 Feb 1996

    Ismail tells Abu Al-Hana about a lavish wedding involving someone close to their boss and encourages him to bring Umm Al-Khair along. The promise of an extravagant feast is more than enough to get Abu Al-Hana interested in attending the celebration.

14. 14

    14. The Idiot Box

    3 Feb 1996

    After receiving a large payout from his workplace savings pool, Abu Al-Hana decides to treat himself to a VCR. But Ismail convinces him to buy a satellite receiver instead, opening up a whole new world of television for Abu Al-Hana, his wife, and their neighbors. Soon, staying glued to the screen becomes his favorite pastime.

15. 15

    15. A Headache

    4 Feb 1996

    Abu Al-Hana wakes up with a terrible headache and takes some medicine from his mother. But his ordinary morning takes an extraordinary turn when he suddenly discovers that he can read people's minds, giving him an unexpected glimpse into what everyone around him is really thinking.

16. 16

    16. Mr. Suzuki

    5 Feb 1996

    Manaf assigns Abu Al-Hana and Ismail the important task of welcoming a visiting Japanese guest. Eager to impress their boss, the two set out to handle the arrangements, but figuring out exactly who they're supposed to meet proves trickier than expected.

17. 17

    17. The Eid Sheep

    6 Feb 1996

    After dreaming that her late husband appeared with a sheep, Abu Al-Hana's mother insists that her son bring one home for Eid. Determined to honor her wishes, Abu Al-Hana sets out to find a sheep, only to discover that fulfilling such a simple request comes with complications.

18. 18

    18. A Wristwatch

    7 Feb 1996

    Abu Al-Hana takes a liking to one of the wristwatches his coworker Ismail has and manages to get one for himself. But when Umm Al-Khair notices her husband's new accessory, she decides she'd like a watch of her own.

19. 19

    19. A Media Campaign

    8 Feb 1996

    A moment of anger gets Abu Al-Hana into trouble when he kicks a cat, unaware that two bystanders are recording the incident. As word of his behavior spreads, he finds himself facing unwanted publicity and public scrutiny.

20. 20

    20. Miss Baria

    9 Feb 1996

    Tired of his ordinary job and modest lifestyle, Abu Al-Hana dreams of becoming the head of his department, with an entire staff at his command. In his imagination, he's finally the one calling the shots and enjoying all the privileges that come with being the boss.

21. 21

    21. A Relaxing Getaway

    10 Feb 1996

    Umm Al-Khair wants to escape the daily routine with a relaxing vacation by the sea. With money already tight, Abu Al-Hana turns to Ismail for help arranging a workplace savings pool, hoping to scrape together enough cash to make the trip possible.

22. 22

    22. A Pay Raise

    11 Feb 1996

    Abu Al-Hana couldn't be happier when he learns he's getting a raise. Eager to share the good news with Umm Al-Khair, he starts looking forward to a little extra breathing room in their budget. Unfortunately, the rising cost of everyday necessities threatens to spoil his excitement.

23. 23

    23. A Long Day

    12 Feb 1996

    Abu Al-Hana attends a campaign rally for a candidate running for Syria's People's Assembly. As the politician tries to win over the crowd with ambitious promises and grand plans for the future, Abu Al-Hana gets a firsthand look at the world of election campaigning.

24. 24

    24. Madam Ilham

    13 Feb 1996

    A new coworker at Umm Al-Khair's office boasts about how her husband takes care of everything, from shopping to household chores. Impressed by what she hears, Umm Al-Khair begins to wonder why Abu Al-Hana can't be just as helpful around the house.

25. 25

    25. State of Emergency

    14 Feb 1996

    The residents of Abu Al-Hana's apartment building are called to an emergency meeting to discuss safety and security concerns. Among the proposed improvements are a new lock for the main entrance and a dedicated emergency telephone, giving the neighbors plenty to discuss.

26. 26

    26. A Silent Extra

    15 Feb 1996

    Abu Al-Hana gets a chance to appear in a television series as a background extra, a job that requires him to do little more than stay quiet and follow directions. Unfortunately, his enthusiasm for talking to the actors and director makes him anything but an ideal silent performer.

27. 27

    27. The Minister

    16 Feb 1996

    With a government minister scheduled to visit their department, Abu Al-Hana and his coworkers scramble to make sure everything is in perfect order. Determined to impress their distinguished guest, Abu Al-Hana throws himself into the preparations for the important occasion.

28. 28

    28. An Open Invitation

    17 Feb 1996

    When Ismail and his wife, Zuhour, have a falling-out, Abu Al-Hana steps in to help them patch things up. But what begins as an attempt to settle a marital dispute becomes more complicated as he learns about the other problems troubling his friend.

29. 29

    29. Eid Eve

    18 Feb 1996

    With Eid just around the corner, Abu Al-Hana and Umm Al-Khair head out to shop for holiday supplies and traditional sweets. But soaring prices put a strain on their budget, forcing the couple to rethink how they'll prepare for the celebrations.

30. 30

    30. Pulling a Tooth

    19 Feb 1996

    As neighbors and acquaintances turn to Abu Al-Hana for favors and help with their personal problems, a painful toothache adds to his troubles. With everyone demanding his attention, Abu Al-Hana struggles to deal with the requests while finding time to visit the dentist.