The car ride to the Al-Nour neighborhood was subdued, in contrast to Khamis’s usual pre-filming hype sessions.
Zaid stared out the window as the cityscape transformed. The sleek glass facades and manicured parks of the school district gave way to narrower streets, buildings stained with age and water damage, and a palpable sense of weariness in the air.
Tariq was in the backseat, nervously fiddling with the camera equipment, while Khamis scrolled through his phone, muttering about lighting angles.
"This is it," Khamis announced as the car pulled over.
"It's one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city. Perfect backdrop."
They unloaded several cardboard boxes from the trunk, each filled with basic groceries: rice, lentils, cooking oil, canned goods, and tea. Zaid hefted one, the weig
