Saudi-born film director and script writer Shahad Ameen’s film “Eye and Mermaid” attracted a number of film enthusiasts during its screening in the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), which concluded recently.
The Dubai International Film Festival’s Gulf Voices segment featured eight movies from filmmakers across the GCC, including Ameen’s film.
Eye and Mermaid, a 15-minute long film of the fantasy genre, has a mysterious theme. The script, which is also written by Shahad, was featured as a Qatari film as it was supported by the Doha Film Institute.
Eye and Mermaid narrates the story of a10-year-old girl Hanan, who sneaks into her fisherman father’s shack after his pearl diving trip, where she discovers a secret that her father captures mermaids. Traumatized, Hanan takes the mermaid back to the sea; a decision that haunts her for the rest of her life.
“The response and feedback is very good; I am getting a number of positive responses. It was the first time a film of the drama and fantasy genre is screened in this category,” Shahad Ameen told Arab News.
When asked about her new projects, Shahad said that she is working on an interesting film project, which is yet to be named. “But the new project also talks about mermaids,” she added.
Jeddah-born Shahad Ameen, who currently spends her time between Dubai and Doha, studied at the Metropolitan Film School in London. Her filmography includes “Our own musical and Leila’s window”. She is also working on the web drama “On Wheels”. Shahd has also received special training in script writing from New York.
“My parents support me a lot, and fortunately, I received a financial grant from the Doha Film Institute. I have some new ideas and soon I will be writing something especially for the Saudi audience,” she told Arab News.
She said that she enjoyed excellent support from her team members, producer Mohammed Sendi, who is from Madinah, Jeddah-based composer Hassan Khashogi, and 10-year-old actress Baseemah Hager (from Jeddah) who acted as Hanan.
She produced the film Eye and Mermaid with the support of the Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) Hazawi Fund, an initiative under its Gulf Film Development unit. Hazawi Fund aims to promote film production in Qatar and the region.
DFI has selected four filmmakers from the GCC region for the first cycle of its Hazawi Fund to provide financial and training support to accomplish their short film projects.
In addition to Shahad’s film, Emirati film director Nayla Al Khaja’s movie “Three”; Faisal Al Duwaisan’s (Kuwait) “A Dream”; and Ann Sobel and Aisha Al Muqla’s (Qatari Resident, Bahrain) “Shway Shway, Shoo Shoo” materialized with the support of the Doha Film Institute.
Emirati director Nayla Al Khaja’s short film “Three” also caught people’s attention in the Gulf Voices segment. The film tells the story of Khalid, a nine-year-old boy, and his sister Reem. Credited as the UAE’s first female filmmaker, Nayla is very popular in the region and her film Three received wide acclaim during the festival.
Another film Cholo, by Omani director Muzna Al Musafer, narrated the meeting between two Omani children: Dark-skinned Cholo and fair-skinned Abdullah.
“There is constant production going on around the Gulf,” said DIFF artistic director Masoud Amralla Al Ali.
“Gulf Voices showcases the directors of the future, and is a special segment that is close to our hearts at DIFF,” he added.
Kuwaiti filmmaker Faisal Al Duwaisan’s “A Dream”, Emirati film director Ahmed Zain’s “Grandmother’s Farm” were also screened in the Gulf Voice segment.
Grandmother’s Farm depicts the strange events that unfold when Yasser and his friends decide to spend the weekend at his grandmother’s farm, located in the middle of the desert. Meanwhile, Alaa Shaker’s “This is My Night” also captivated many youngsters from different Gulf countries.
Visual artist Furat Al Jamil, a German-Iraqi director, screened his film “Baghdad Night” in this segment. In Al Jamil’s film, a taxi driver takes a mysterious woman to one of the oldest graveyards in Baghdad.
This year’s Muhr Arab filmmaker’s competition was aggressive. “Muhr Arab filmmakers are some of our most important artists in the field today,” asserted Amralla Al Ali.
The film “Omar”, a dual Palestinian and Emirati production, won the DIFF award in the best Arabic feature category and Hany Abu Assad as best director.
The 96- minute-long psychological thriller follows the budding romance of the protagonist, Omar, as well as the agonizing and humiliating treatment he receives on a daily basis in the West Bank and in prison.
The film illustrates the story of Omar, the young baker, who is accustomed to dodging surveillance bullets to visit his secret love, Nadia. But occupied Palestine knows neither love nor clear-cut war. Omar is suddenly transformed into a freedom fighter. Suspicion and betrayal jeopardize his long-term friendship with Amjad and Tarek and Omar’s feelings are soon as torn as the Palestinian landscape. However, it’s evident that everything he does is for his love Nadia.
A special jury prize for Arab features went to Nabil Ayouch, producer of “They are the Dogs” from Morocco. The film narrates the story of Majhoul, an old man imprisoned in 1981 during the massive demonstrations calling for reform in Morocco. The film’s Hassan Badida won the best Arab actor award.
Yasmine Raees was best actress in an Arabic feature prize for her role in the “Factory Girl.”
A total of 174 films from 57 different countries, including over 100 films from the Arab world, competed for awards in the festival.
“This year’s entries come from some of the region’s most prolific directors. These master storytellers have chosen volatile material this year to show individuals living in the shadow of massive social upheaval and change,” said Amralla Al Ali.
The section “Cinema of the World” presented a number of hit films. The winner of the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival; “Fruitvale Station”, “The Railway Man” starring Academy Award winners Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman, acclaimed filmmaker Andrzej Wajda’s “Walesa… Man of Hope,” were some of the most prominent films that were screened.
This year’s festival opened with the elegant presence of Hollywood stars Cate Blanchett and Martin Sheen. Hollywood actor Martin Sheen was honored with the DIFF’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Influential Arab Film Critic Samir Farid, who has been promoting Arab Cinema for the past 50 years was also honored during the festival.
In addition, the festival honored ten Arab Cinema talents including directors, actors and directors of photography, for their distinguished contributions in the top 100 films of Arab Cinema.
Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented the honorees with their accolades live on stage prior to the DIFF Gala opening night screening of the film Omar.
“It is a great privilege to honor talented Arab cinema figures this year,” said Festival Chairman Abdulhamid Juma.
Egyptian Actor Ezzat El Alaili was honored for his role in Youssef Chahine’s film “The Land” (1969), while Tunisian director Moufida Tlatli was honored for her film “The Silence of the Palaces” (Samt el qusur-1994).
The festival honored Syrian director Mohammed Malas for his film “Dreams of the City” (Ahlam Al Madina -1983), in addition to his film “The Night”(Allail-1992).
The festival also honored Lebanese actress Carmen Lebbos for playing the role of the mother in Ziad Dwairy’s “West Beirut” (1998).
Egyptian Director Mohammad Khan was honored for three films that were ranked in the top 100 Arab films: “The Wife of an Important Man” (Zawgat Ragol Mohem), “Dreams of Hind and Camellia” (Ahlam Hind W Camelia) and “The Artful” (El Harrif).” Besides Khan, two directors of photography- Ramsees Marzouk and Tariq Telmesani -who were in charge of filming the largest number of movies in the list also received accolades.
Veteran actor Ahmed Bedier, Egyptian actress Yursa, and Kuwaiti filmmaker Khalid Siddiq were amongst the honorees.
“Honoring these talented figures represents a celebration of Arab cinema, as they have made great contributions and added a special value to the history of Arab cinema,” said Amralla Al Ali.
During the closing night on Saturday, DIFF featured a red carpet Gala screening of “American Hustle,” directed by David O. Russell (“Three Kings”, “Silver Linings Playbook”).
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