Scene

Captions in Bold, English in Blue, Phone in Italics

1

Opening. Empty London streets

2

Caption

Nine million people live in London

More than 200,000 are believed to be Arabic speakers

3

Iyad continues playing & VO

When you play in front of a crowd

there’s always happiness 

It’s a beautiful feeling to go on stage and play for people

Because you’re trying to communicate through your music

To comfort people and make them happy

This is my aim when playing

To connect with the crowd

My last concert was in London on March 2nd

Then the lockdown started

All my concerts were cancelled

4

Caption

On March 24th London entered lockdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic

All schools and businesses were shut 

Everyone was confined to their homes except essential workers like those in health and social care, transport, and food distribution.

5

Iyad continues playing & VO

London is not like before

It's not frightening, but disturbing

It’s not normal, everyone is confused

6

Title

Lockdown in London

7

Empty interior of house & weeping

Day 12

8

Caption

Osman

Osman came to the UK from Sudan in 1993

9

My father has passed away

It's my duty to pray over his body during the burial

It’s a huge loss. We’re very sad not

to be at the funeral

The way things are now, we had no choice

It was a miracle we could send his 

body back to Sudan

There was no way to accompany the body

We wanted that very much

10

Caption

Osman’s father, Dr Adil El Tayar, was the first

NHS (National Health Service) doctor to die of the virus

He was a surgeon who had volunteered to treat Covid-19 patients

His dying wish was to buried in his homeland

11

We’re proud of our father

He was one of the victims in the war against corona

We ask God to welcome him as a martyr 

I’m waiting for my cousin to call

He’s in Sudan. He’ll open a live video call...

so we can attend the funeral

and pray over the dead

. 

12

Caption

Dr Adil El Tayar was well known in Sudan

He set up a local transplant clinic

and funding for poor medical students

13

Caption

Khartoum, Sudan

14

We feel proud of our father who passed away helping others

He died for something he used to live for

We hope God will accept his good works

Mohammed, how are you?

We’re with you. OK?

OK

This is important for my younger brother

He’s 14 years old

He has to accept Dad has passed away

We buried him and that’s it

Osman?

Yes, I’m with you

Now there’ll be a prayer

Just keep the line open so we can stay with you

If my father was with me now,

he’d have asked me to be strong,

and be the man of the house

15

Caption

Day 14

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in hospital with Covid-19,

is admitted to intensive care

16

Caption

Day 18

In the last 24-hour period, 980 people have died of Covid-19

17

Normally at this time, we’re busy

the place is packed with people

Now there’s no one, it’s a shutdown

No one

18

Caption

Osama

Osama came to the UK from the West Bank in 2003

19

Osama

When this situation started,

I met with all my staff, I said we had two choices:

Go home and isolate

Or

Create a relief committee and volunteer 

Everyone agreed to volunteer

We’ll cook and give food to people 

We’ve lived in similar situations in Palestine

We’ve gained much experience during the war

We’ve switched focus

We’ve converted our restaurant into a distribution centre

Hajjeh runs the whole operation from here

We distribute it

How many portions do we have today?

200

OK

Today we’re preparing food for hospitals

The medical staff take a long time to change their PPE 

They’re stuck in the hospital so we take them food

20

Osama

It’s an exceptional situation

Many people need to be fed 

So we must cook and feed them 

Hajjeh lived in the camps during the war and the siege

I have experience of shortages

Under siege with no food,

you have to cope

You make sure not to sleep on an empty stomach

Our generation grew up in war zones and under siege

So we have experience

It's the same

But in war, you can see your enemy

Now you can't see the enemy

From my point of view,

This is about communicating our culture

A culture of austerity and helping others

We learned from the struggles back home

We aren’t risking our lives

They’re fighting on the front lines

We try to support them

21

Caption

Day 19

 So far, 15 bus drivers have died in London 

Many more are ill

22

Public Announcement

You should not be using public transport or travelling for anything other than essential journeys. Please maintain a safe distance if you are travelling.

23

Susan

When the lockdown began here,

a lady with a big shopping bag approached me

She asked me,

Are you still working during the lockdown? 

I told her,

If I don’t, who will take you home with all your shopping?

24

Caption

Susan

Susan came to the UK from Iraq in 2003

25

Honestly, I’m proud of myself,

working during this situation

Even my daughter fears for me

But I tell her I must work 

I’m taking doctors, nurses and journalists to work

Everyone who needs buses  

In my depot, no one has died

But there are some in the next depot

They passed away

they were young

and dear to me

You’re thankful every day you have no symptoms

But we’re always afraid of tomorrow

How much longer? Only God knows

26

Caption

Day 22

Total UK death toll passes 12,000

27

We desperately need boxes

Boxes, gloves and masks 

Yes

28

Caption

A small group of volunteers are setting up a charity to help those in need during the lockdown 

29

We wrote concept notes

For the big donors and rich people

Tell me if it’s good

30

Caption

Nisrine

Nisrine came to the UK from Lebanon in 2006

31

If the looming ghost of Covid-19 has told us anything it is that we need one another to persist and continue to exist

As a small group of volunteers we are putting together weekly food rations for distribution to anyone who has fallen between the cracks

32

Caption

Lara

Lara, from Lebanon, came to the UK in 2018

33

I’ll start preparing boxes

34

Caption

The group plan to collect donations from individuals and local supermarkets to deliver food for those in need

35

We’ll decide what to put in and the cost 

A Lebanese aid group told us what to give

The local council’s guidelines specified what to put in 

On social media I found 55 infected Lebanese people

Can you imagine, 55 families?

We’re used to experiences like war,

and queuing to get rations 

But here people can’t get out

We don’t know how many are in need

36

Caption

Bashar

Bashar came to the UK from Jordan in 2006

37

My mum used to tell me,  

pandemics are like war

People queued for hours for a loaf of bread

I queued for bread in Kuwait when I was six

My mum put all of us in the queue

Me, my mum, my sister

They gave us bread as hard as rock

Throw it at a wall, it bounces

We're experienced with this

Those stereotypes about Arabs,

either we’re abusing the system or we’re terrorists

We must prove we’re part of this society,

and can play a positive role

We can bring good traits from our culture

Let’s bring our tradition to life

When someone’s in need, we help them 

Ramadan is coming up 

Arabic supermarkets are eager to donate during Ramadan

Let's make this a meaningful Ramadan

38

Caption

Iyad

Iyad came to the UK from Jordan in 2008

39

Iyad plays

The first impact of the lockdown

was that all my concerts were cancelled

Universities were closed. All venues were closed

We musicians depend on concerts

It’s difficult. My whole life has changed

Your life changes,

from concerts, trips, teaching, to nothing

Suddenly you’re sitting at home

It's frightening, you don't know what to do

I miss the routine

It’s about working for a purpose

It’s a strange feeling

40

Caption

Every Thursday evening, millions of British people clap in support of medical staff and frontline workers

41

Caption

But the government still struggles to provide enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for doctors and nurses

42

How are you, Mum?

I’m OK, thank God

43

Caption

Osman, a doctor like his father, has to decide when

to return to work - despite the risks in the hospital

44

I think I’ll go back to work tomorrow 

Really?

Yes

No, Osman, for the love of God, no

The hospitals are overwhelmed with cases

Aren’t you afraid you’ll give it to us?

It's enough losing your dad in these hospitals

You have to think about the rest of the house

Honestly, this is very frightening

I don't want you to go back now

45

Please, I don't want you to go

Why do you want to return? 

Honestly, there’s a shortage of doctors

Let things get easier,

stay for a couple of weeks, then decide 

If I and my colleagues sit at home,

the hospital will be empty

Everyone is suffering like my father

I know, but it’s their duty to give doctors

protective equipment

They can get infected too

They must provide PPE to stay safe

Tomorrow I’ll decide 

I know people's lives depend on us

But no one should risk their lives

If I don't take the risk, 

who will help these people?

46

Osman feels responsible for his patients

He feels he must go to help the sick

What happened to our father

makes him feel more responsible

Like him, he feels he must help the sick

After what happened,

we need to be together, close to each other, just supporting each other

It’s like sending your son to his death

If he catches it, he'll either recover or not

This worries me

I live in fear

My father was the first doctor to die from coronavirus 

He caught it at the hospital

It makes us worry

Every corner of the house reminds us of him

Definitely everything has changed

47

Caption

Day 24

In the UK the number of people infected with

the virus passes 100,000

48

Hi, Bibi

How was your day?

Very quiet, very boring.

Are the streets empty?

Very empty. The passengers they used to talk to us and say good morning, good evening. Now nobody is talking, everybody just keeps quiet. Everybody is just worried.

How many passengers did you have today? I think it was thirty-four passengers the whole day.

The whole day?

It is really very scary, this situation.

49

Susan

When people started dying with the virus,

I was thinking:

Why should I go out?

Why should I leave my daughter home alone?

She was only eight when her father died

She has no one in this country except me

And God of course

Sometimes I can't even sleep

If I get the virus and die, 

who will take care of my daughter?

In the end I convinced myself

Why should I lose my job

because of a virus?

We have to fight it

It's something we Arabs take pride in

Arabs are willing to sacrifice their lives for the country

We want to work and earn our living

50

Iyad zoom

Hi, Mum. How are you and Dad?

How is Ramadan?

Fine, thank God

How’s your work, your teaching?

OK, I give all my lessons online

It’s more difficult

I think universities will stay closed until September

Everything is closed

There’ll be no concerts till the end of the year

We were hoping you might return

I wish I could come to Amman

and spend Eid with you

When things improve, we’ll be together

51

L & N

This is for a family of five,

three children and two ladies

They have no source of income 

They left home because of domestic violence

52

Caption

Lara and Bashar are expecting a baby in the autumn 

53

This work doesn’t affect my pregnancy

The opposite

It's the biggest lesson I’ll teach my daughter

You must help, like it or not

If you are healthy, you’re fine, you have a roof over your head, this is your social responsibility to help other people who need it.

We will be raising our girl in a western world

I want to keep our beautiful Arabic traditions

of helping other people

This something we grew up seeing

We should pass this on

54

Osama on the way to the hospital

We’re going to UCL hospital,

where most corona cases are

Many doctors go to our restaurant 

It’s opposite the hospital

They call to tell us what’s going on inside

So we have a connection

55

Caption

Osama provides meals to the medical staff for free,

using the money he gets from selling takeaway food

56

Nurses (English)

Hey boss

Yes, it’s halal

Chicken

Yes, chicken

How many of you? 5?

I would say the atmosphere is kind of...

Working with people that you like, you love

You know they are colleagues we work with every day

So the atmosphere is good in itself, it’s very positive

But it’s…it’s chaotic at times though

Some of our patients are pretty poorly

I think reality hits us every single time we come into the hospital

Every single time we leave the house

The scary part is just the fact that we’ve just been put on the frontline

It’s like this is what you have to do now, jump into it

I guess that’s the scary part, innit

We have less time to cook when you get home cause you are knackered

57

So it’s lovely people out here

The problem is you don’t have to time to go out and find anything, and everything is closed

When Holly told me today that you were dropping us food we were like, OMG

Because like I forgot my lunch

I didn’t bring lunch because…no one has

We don’t have time

The shops are closed when we finish as well

You can’t even buy food when we finish

I haven’t been able to buy eggs for two weeks

58

Osama with nurses

This makes you feel part of this fight,

I can’t be on the frontline

There are no places to eat at or to buy food

People must come together to support each other

59

How are you? Are you well?

Yes, thank you

60

Caption

Nisrine and Bashar are delivering food to a Sudanese woman whose husband has died recently

61

Are you and the kids fine, feeling safe?

We’re ok

Do you have any relatives to talk to?

No, they’re in Sudan.  

So you’re on your own? 

Yes

Now you have us

Call us whenever. If you feel down, call us

Thank you. God bless you

She said her husband passed away

10 months ago

It’s hard to be alone with two children

She has no one

No relatives. Her family are in Sudan

We’re here, Nisrine

Nisrine, my dear, you’re doing good

If it wasn't for self-distancing, I’d hug you

You’re doing well, my dear

We do what we can

This work needs resilience 

You made someone's day

Now we’ll make someone else's day

Let's stay positive

We’re delivering food and happiness

Let’s deliver happiness and security

And strength

62

Osama at hospital

We distributed 250 portions

They’re soldiers in war 

People should support them

They’re in the middle of the battle

All the intensive care cases are on their ward 

When I call, they ask who it is

I say it’s the Prime Minister of Palestine

I tell them the President of Lebanon too

63

Caption

DAY 33

The number of new infections begins to slow as deaths pass 20,000

64

Nisrine zoom

Hello

Hi

How are you?

Perfect

How’s the baby?

65

Caption

Nisrine’s sister, Nadine, lives in Dubai

66

How does the lockdown feel when you’re pregnant?

We’re doing nothing

We need a police permit to go for a walk

Or to go shopping

Go without masks and gloves, you’re fined 1000 dirhams

67

How have we arrived at this state of affairs?

How do you feel about giving birth during the corona era?

Horror

Horror

Because it doesn’t matter if they say

there’s no danger for newborn babies

But a mother’s intuition says it’s a weak little baby

I can’t control my feelings

My family can’t be here

The support I was relying on isn’t here

You’re making me cry

The plan was for Dad and me to be there when you give birth

God willing, the airports will reopen and I’ll come 

I love you[1] 

68

Iyad plays

Music

69

My mum is stressed about me returning to work

I have to convince her life must return to normal

This time of day, the streets are crowded,

people going to work, children going to school

It's not the same now, they’re empty

The world is upside down

My trip to work used to be happy

It's different now

The journey has lost its happy flavour 

70

Caption

Day 38

The government announces that the UK has

passed ‘the peak of the disease’

70A

Lara zoom

Hi Mum, how are you?

We’re well, thank God

We hear there are many cases in London

Even the Prime Minister

And Prince Charles too

The numbers are frightening, but it's slowing now

They couldn't care for them all in the hospitals

I feel your initiative puts you in danger

Going out when you are pregnant

I’m careful, it's not a game, mama

A couple of days ago I was sad

It was Dad's anniversary

Yesterday or the day before?

It was the 27th 

I dreamt he was holding my daughter

I woke up

I felt he was happy

God rest his soul, but life must go on

It’s important you keep good memories of him

Dad would have loved you helping people

You've kept his tradition alive

71

Dance

We are giving food to the guys at this hospital and they are doing the Tik Tok challenge

To entertain themselves while they stay safe

And we are feeding them because, as you know, an army doesn’t run on an empty stomach

Guys, the winner will get chicken with rice

Just a practice yeah?

One, two, three, go

You haven’t even pressed play, have you?

This week is getting really busy at the moment so to take time out

To do a quick two minute Tik Tok challenge

Just to relieve us, to say we are having a good time

With all the sad things that are happening in A&E at the moment

We got you the music from the ambulance

Music

It’s all wonderful

Here you go

Thank you, you are so lovely

You’re welcome

Chicken

Girls, are you all done here?

You keep some for the night staff, OK?

You must always keep the team’s morale high,

through music and movement

Things which convert ideas into actions

There are many ideas, books, words,

but actions speak louder

We’re translating words into action

72

Nurse

He came to us last week some time and when he came and delivered the food, I pleaded with him, saying that the night shift, the nurses and doctors are not getting any food. On Monday he delivered a whole lot of food for the night shift. Which was good because the night shift really appreciated it.

73

Osman outside hospital after dance

We work harder now

Because our idea of work

is to start early and do something positive

Not to make money

I learned this when I was in Palestine

under the Occupation

The idea was to go out and do something,

benefit someone, make someone smile

Take part in life

This is what’s important

Guys, would like some chicken?

OK, enjoy.

74

Caption

Day 43

At 29,427 the UK death toll is now the highest in Europe

75

Osman back from work

The first day at work was a little tense

Most of the team were dealing with coronavirus patients 

When I entered intensive care,

it felt like a movie

I'd never seen that many patients

Each one very sick

You have a duty to fulfil

But when I looked at the patients,

I was reminded of my father

This apple tree was Dad's favourite

He used to water it

He loved gardening

Every time I’m at the hospital,

I ask myself,

If my father was here

what would he do?

I’m sure he was the kind of person

whose priority was his patients 

These thoughts give me the courage

to continue doing my duty

76

Cadogan Hall

One of my first concerts in London was in this hall

This brings back many memories

I always have nightmares before I go on stage

Like I forgot my shoes

Or I'm playing to an empty hall

Ironic really

Because this is the state of the arts today

No audience

It's strange

Everyone has been affected

All artists, all musicians, everyone

When I play in a concert hall, people forget

It’s not just the artist

There are the staff and the sound engineers

All have lost their jobs

Even after the lockdown, people won’t attend

The fear will still be there

77

Lara & baby clothers

So cute.

Baby

So nice.

Tiny feet.

It’s so nice

We just want her to be born into a normal world

Into a safe world

We’ll tell her what happened before she was born

I am not panicking, I am just not at ease

If I give birth and my mum or yours can’t come

There’s a huge responsibility on me 

There are many things I don't know

I’m just panicking

Washing a baby and all those things

78

Caption

Day 48

Boris Johnson announces an easing of the lockdown

79

BJ speaking to nation

This is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week.

Amazing

So work from home if you can, but you should go to work if you can’t work from home. And when I look at what you’ve done already, when I think of the millions of everyday acts of kindness and thoughtfulness which are being performed across this country and that have helped to get us through this first phase…

That’s us

I know we can use this plan to get us through the next.

Thank you very much.

80

I’m done with trying to analyse what they want from us

Be clear with us, tell us what you want

Tell us how we’re expected to live our lives

We just need to work

There are a few measures we have to take

We take them

We’ll be extremely careful

We can’t stress about things we can’t control

We can’t control coronavirus

We can’t do it

I know.

81

Susan zoom

I’m worried about you, my dear sister

You’re working in the transport sector,

which exposes you to the virus

I can’t hide my fear for you and your daughter

82

Caption

Susan’s sister, Najat, lives in Morocco

83

This Ramadan is different

Now we’re anxious about our future

Najat, you know what people here are worried about?

That this becomes normal life

This pandemic has some positive effects

On social and humanitarian levels,

it’s made people review their behaviour

To correct their mistakes

I agree with you 100%

Thank you, my dear sister

84

Caption

Day 57

Chancellor Rishi Sunak warns of a ‘severe recession'

85

Osama in restaurant

We’re clearing space so we can eat together for Eid

Yesterday we went to the mosque to give Iftar

We saw families with no food at all

They have no documents, no source of income

These stories have come out of the shadows

It's upsetting

All these people from...

 Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine, Jordan, Somalia...

they came because they lost hope

They came to find something better

We’re trying to help but we have limited resources

Like the saying: Your eyes can see but your hands can’t reach

This Eid is different

Corona has taken over

You must open different boxes:

the exile box, the corona box,

the depression box,

the box of financial pressure

Then you see Eid. You say, hi Eid, is that you?

By the time you find Eid, you’re exhausted[2] 

Lara, Nisrine & Bashar wrapping presents for Eid

With all the presents, it'll be a special Eid for the kids

If we were back home

I'd have bought them fireworks too

86

Susan in the bus

87

Caption

Day 61

Ramadan ends, Eid celebrations begin

88

Guys, we’re all gathered together

Happy Eid to all of you

Despite the virus, Ramadan has ended fine

It’s made Eid twice as special

It's been a difficult time

Nowhere to worship, no friends or relatives

It’s been a sad month, but I’m sure it will get better

89

I hope my music shows my appreciation

to all the key workers,

to all who lost someone dear,

to all who have been hurt by this crisis 

God willing, my music will provide peace,

and pass on my gratitude

everyone is grateful

90

I wish you a happy Eid. May God fulfil your wishes

This photo was our last Eid with Dad

He looks like you

It’s a sad and strange Eid

We still need to thank God and bless Dad's soul

I’ll always be here when you need me,

through the happy times and sad

We have each other and our family too

Little brother, you're in charge after me

If I'm not here, you have to cover the bills

OK?

I'm happy you'll take that off my hands

91

Lara & Nisrine

Hello!

Happy Eid

It’s so nice to see you, with all the social distancing

Even better for me to see you

Don't cry

We want say we haven't forgotten you

I’m very grateful to you,

Lara, Nisrine and everyone

92

Credits

With thanks to

Iyad Sughayer – Pianist

Osman El Tayar – Doctor

Osama Qashoo – Restaurant owner

Susan Packwood – Bus driver

Lara Assi – Production coordinator

Nisrine Jaafar – Teacher

Bashar Zeedan – Publisher

Somerset House

Cadogan Hall

Shangri-La Restaurant, The Shard

Research 

Raneem Hannoush

Vanessa Bowles

Translator

Saman Jaff

Camera

Namak Khoshnaw

Additional footage

Mohamed Tohami

Sound recordist

Michal Kuligowski

Drone Operator

Charlie Baigent

Online Editor

Dominic McMahon

Dubbing Mixer

Andrew Sears

Production Co-ordinator

Khulood Alansi

Junior Production Manager

Nardia Millington

Production Manager

Maria Caramelo

Additional Film Editor

Ian Garvin

Film Editor

Becky Way

Executive Editor

Tim Awford 

TV Documentaries Editor

Christopher Mitchell

Producer

Emir Nader

Executive Producer

Tom Roberts

Produced & Directed by

Namak Khoshnaw