2 February 2004

Kebab Culture

The post-pub visit to the kebab shop is for many an integral part of a good night out. So much so, that Ink, a new animation company based in the University of Dundee's Springfield Incubator unit, has now created a cartoon devoted to the delights of the kebab shop culture.

The South Park-style cartoon Kebab Kingdom was commissioned by Glasgow's Comedy Unit and will soon be shown on BBC1 Scotland as part of the new Karen Dunbar Show. The six-part mini-series will feature formidable boss Catriona, voiced by Karen Dunbar, and two assistants, one Iraqi and one Kurdish, both of whom have spent years serving kebabs and other culinary delights to intoxicated Scots.

The creation is the brainchild of Israeli University of Dundee graduate and Ink managing director Gili Dolev. When Gili and his wife first came to Scotland, they took up part-time jobs in a kebab shop to supplement their income while they studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design.

Gili said, "My first impression of Scottish society was what I saw from behind the counter of a Dundee kebab shop - it was a greasy culture shock."

Bob Last, also managing director of Ink, said, "Burns asked that God give us the gift to see ourselves as others see us - fat chance! Instead Ink's presenting a "kebabs eye view" - Scotland skewered, but we love the place, warts, bad diet and all."

Ink Animations Ltd was founded in autumn 2002 by Bob Last, film producer and former manager of bands including ABC and Human League, with Gili and the team that created Promise Land, winner of Best Animated Film at Clermont-Ferrand 2003, the Cannes of the short film world. Ink was one of the first start-ups to benefit from the Springfield Incubator.

Editors' notes

Ink is one of several new ventures to take up residence in the Springfield Incubator which provides affordable office space and business development advice to help fledgling companies through their initial phases of operation.

Bob Last is producer and co-writer of Kebab Kingdom, Gili Dolev is director and co-writer.

Call Gili Dolev on 01382 348632.

By Esther Black, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, e.z.black@dundee.ac.uk