Already known for having an extensive media centre, Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates, is currently in the process of completing its first ever feature film. City of Life is an urban drama featuring a multi-ethnic cast, which tracks how the lead characters’ lives interact and impact on each other.
Directed by Ali F Mostafa (Under The Sun), who is one of the producers and who penned the script based on an idea developed by Jonny Brown, the film stars Natalie Dormer (The Tudors), Jason Flemyng (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and former 1960s “It’ girl, Susan George (Straw Dogs). Mostafa won the Best Emriati Filmmaker Award at the 2007 Dubai International film Festival.
According to the film’s credit list on www.imdb.com, some South Africans are working on the film, namely Michael Brierley (DOP), with Grant Hully and Franz Spilhaus on stunts.
Meanwhile, Dubai recently announced its intention to build Hollywood style studios, an indication that the country really means business in film terms. (Source: Studio Briefing)
