The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is an important support and networking base for the local Emirati film industry, which is working hard to establish itself. Screen Africa spoke to three up and coming Emirati filmmakers at the recent DIFF 2011 about the challenges and benefits of filmmaking in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In an interview with the DIFF Daily newspaper, artistic director of DIFF, Masoud Amralla Al Ali, emphasised that production in the Emirates has progressed tremendously over the past decade, but the industry is yet to establish itself fully. “We haven’t arrived at a place where we know that the industry can stand on its own two feet. It’s more of a movement than an industry,’ he explained.
However, the Muhr Emirati programme for local filmmakers at DIFF 2011 featured 13 films and shorts which testifies to the industry’s growth in productivity and quality.
Rawia Abdullah, who graduated in Mass Communication from UAE University in 2009, screened her film Al Lawn Al Mafkoud (The Missing Colour) at the DIFF. The film deals with issues of abuse and follows an eight-year-old girl who seeks out the missing colour in her life.
According to Abdullah, the biggest challenge in the UAE is to make real cinema and to create a big industry, not only in the UAE but in the whole Gulf region.
While it’s not easy to secure financing, she said scripts are a bigger problem. “We have only two or three scriptwriters in the UAE – directors often have to write their own scripts.’
There is also a shortage of editors, cinematographers and producers.
She said the industry is growing, with five to 10 films made each year. “Audiences participate in growing the industry,’ noted Abdullah. “They support local films.’
Producer, animator and composer Mohammad Fikree screened his animated 2D short film Children at the festival. The film, the only animated film that competed in the Muhr Emirati section of the festival, sees a mother and her children plan a desperate escape from a scary, hungry beast.
According to Fikree it is a dark fairy tale, inspired by his admiration for shadow puppet-like animation.
Fikree is still a student and created the animation on his own during six months in mid-2011. “There is a lack of support in the industry here, but it was worth the work in the end,’ he noted.
He plans to open his own studio, secure sponsors and start work on a feature film soon.
Double standard
Sarah Alagroobi, a student in Visual Communications at the American University of Sharjah, screened The Forbidden Fruit at the festival.
She explained that her film is inspired by the people living in the UAE and the double standard that exists for protecting culture and tradition, while also embracing change and pop culture.
It follows the lives of two young Emirati adults who regularly step out of their traditional homes to enjoy Dubai’s westernised side, unaware that they will soon meet for a potential arranged marriage.
“The film addresses some very controversial issues that people don’t like talking about. It’s a non-sugar coated edition of life in the UAE,’ explained Alagroobi.
Although controversial, she didn’t face major hurdles in making the movie which she produced, wrote and edited.
“Making a film is not difficult. Choosing the right topic and the right tone of voice is the difficult part. Once you have a strong story, the challenge is to start a discourse.’
Alagroobi was one of three women in competition and emphasised that Emirati women are “very empowered and have a strong voice’. “So far I’ve been really blessed; I’ve received lots of support from DIFF.’
By Linda Loubser
Screen Africa Magazine March 2012
