After overcoming "Corona" and its repercussions

2022 Emirati cinema: viewers returned to theaters and directors to their work

• The “Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert” festival is an innovative cinematic platform presented by Dubai Culture.

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• The Emirati films that were received by cinemas in 2022 varied between comedy, suspense, and “action” films.

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The year 2022 gained special importance for cinema in general and the film industry in the UAE in particular, as it witnessed the return of the audience to theaters without restrictions and precautionary measures, after overcoming the repercussions of the Corona pandemic and canceling all the restrictions that accompanied it.

This year also witnessed the return of filmmakers in the country to filming locations to resume new works.

This year, theaters also received a number of films that were produced in the past and whose showing was postponed due to the pandemic, which created a state of cautious optimism. Likewise, a number of films that have been announced for filming are still waiting for the appropriate date to meet the audience.

new faces

The Emirati films that were received by cinemas in 2022 varied between comedy, suspense, and action films, and it is remarkable that most of them were keen to present a number of new faces to the scene, and these films were devoid of a female presence in directing, as they were limited to male directors.

Among the films shown this year is the movie “Ghost”, by director, writer and producer Amer Salmeen Al-Marri. The film combines suspense, excitement and mystery, and its events revolve around a family struggle over an ancient legacy, through the story of a grandmother who demands that all members of her family live together in the large family house. Before agreeing to sell it, and the adventure begins when the family moves from Abu Dhabi to the family home to face many terrifying and mysterious events.

And co-starring: Maryam Sultan, Abdullah Al-Junaibi, Hamid Al-Awadi, Alaa Shaker, Lubna Al-Hassan, Khaled Al-Nuaimi, Maid Al-Balushi, Saif Al-Thawgli, and a group of emerging talents in their first cinematic appearance, including:

Local shows

2022 also witnessed the screening of the comedy movie “How Do You Hear Me Answer”, written and produced by Abdullah Zaid, directed by Saif Sheikh Najeeb, starring Abdullah Zaid, Ahmed Mal Allah, Amal Muhammad, Rami Al Roumi, Saleh Muhammad, Adnan Al Balushi, Badr Al Raisi, Adel Khamis, Adel Sbeit, and others.

Its events take place within a social and comic framework that reflects the state of peace, equality, coexistence and tolerance among all nationalities that enjoy living safely on the land of the Emirates.

The movie “Khalik Shanab 2” was also shown, written by Khaled Al-Jabri and directed by Hani Al-Shaibani, starring Saad Abdullah, Ammar Al-Rahma, Muhammad Kennedy, Hayam Sabri, Ahmed Ragab from Egypt, Pakistani artist Maria and Hem Young from China.

The events of the film take place in a framework of adventure, suspense and comedy, with the trio "Romantic Gnome", "The Feisty Khamas" and "The Temperamental Dabaa", who embark on a new adventure.

And the movie “Al-Kamin” returned to theaters in the Emirates again, in conjunction with the celebration of the 51st Union Day, after the great success and huge public turnout that it achieved when it was shown for the first time in 2021.

This December also witnessed the screening of the film “The Millstone”, by writer and director Nasser Al Dhaheri. The film, over the course of an hour and a half, deals with the biography of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, since he assumed the rule of Al Ain in 1946, and his wise administration of affairs. The region, in difficult economic, health and educational conditions, and how to advance the eastern region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The film is scheduled to be shown in many international film festivals in the coming period.

Festivals

on the other hand;

Emirati film festivals continued to attend in 2022, so the Al Ain Public Film Festival began organizing its fourth session, challenging “Corona” and the confusion it caused in film production over two years. The festival witnessed the participation of 47 films within its various official competitions, and the Emirati documentary film “Safran” by the director won Saleh Karama won the best film in the “The Long Gulf Falcon” competition, while the Emirati film “B82”, directed by Talal Mahmoud, won the Special Jury Prize.

Dubai witnessed the organization of the second edition of the "Al Marmoum: Film in the Desert" festival in the Al Marmoom Desert Reserve in Dubai, under the slogan "Stories told by nature", as it is an innovative cinematic platform presented by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), in cooperation with the "The Most Beautiful Winter" initiative. In the World”, to enable filmmakers to present their different stories, and to enhance the status of the Al Marmoom Desert as a cultural tourism destination and a natural reserve rich in elements of local heritage and culture.

The festival witnessed the screening of 27 films bearing the fingerprints of many Emirati, Gulf and Arab filmmakers.

This year also witnessed the organization of the activities of the ninth session of the “Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth 2022”, which was held under the slogan “Think Cinema”. It included a cultural program that included 95 films representing the cultures of 43 countries, 34 workshops, and eight dialogue sessions with the participation of a group of directors. Filmmakers, trainers and international artists.

In a new addition to the current cinematic movement in the country, the first session of the "Meta Film Festival" came, the new international film festival that was held in Dubai under the slogan "Tolerance and Unity Through Cinema", covering the Middle East, Asia and Africa, as it included more than 70 films from 25 countries.

• Theaters received a number of films that were produced in the past, and their showing was postponed due to the pandemic.

• 27 films by Emirati, Gulf and Arab filmmakers at the "Al Marmoum: Film in the Desert" festival.

Movies and awards

The year 2022 was not without a distinguished presence of Emirati films in various international festivals, and some of them won awards, the most prominent of which is the movie “Khorfakkan”, written by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, which won three awards at the Athvikvaruni Film Festival. The International Film Festival in India, which is its first participation in international film festivals. The film won the “Best Asian Film” award, the “Best Cinematography” award, and the “Best Asian Film Director Award”, among a large number of international films participating in the festival, which competed for Winning awards and titles in more than 40 classifications, titles and prizes.

The animated short film (Puppet Master), directed and produced by Mansour Al-Dhaheri Al-Yabhouni, won the first gold award as the best “animation” film in the “Tokyo Film Awards 2022” competition, as the first educational short animated film.

"The Story of the Neighborhood" .. 5 awards and 9 nominations

The film “The Story of the Neighborhood”, the first documentary film produced by the “Big Heart Foundation”, by Mexican director Alejandra Alcala, received the approval and praise of audiences and critics at the global level, after it was approved as the “official selection” for 25 international film festivals in 14 countries in the region and the world, where the film won. Five awards and nine nominations at major international film festivals.

The film won the “Telluride Mountain International Film Festival” award in the “Women in Cinema” category, the “Toronto International Film Festival” award in the “Human Rights” category, the “Amsterdam International Film Festival” award in the “Best Documentary” category, and the “Best Documentary Film Festival” award. The Hague International Film Festival” in the “Refugee Challenge” category.

The film won the “Excellence Award” presented by the humanitarian organization “Doctors Without Borders”, in addition to its nomination for the “Best Documentary” category at the “Copenhagen International Film Festival”, and its nomination for the “Best Documentary” category at the “Dublin International Film Festival” and the “Best Documentary” category. Youth in the field of human rights” at the “Naples International Film Festival”.

The film also succeeded in reaching the “Official Selection” list of films participating in 25 international film festivals at the local, regional and global levels.

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