Local producers
There are a dozen filmmakers who stand out in Dubai. Starting with Nayla Al Khaja, producer of documentaries, commercials and commercial videos. She has especially shot two critically acclaimed documentaries that show her willingness to turn to committed productions: Malal (2010) on arranged marriages, and Arabana (2007) on child abuse. She is also the founder of the production company D-Seven Motion Pictures. Another director to watch is British-Emirati Ali Mostafa, whose feature films have sought to change stereotypes about his country. His popular films include City of Light in 2009, a portrait of multicultural life in Dubai, and From A to B in 2016. Saeed Salmeen Al Murry, who directed Bint Mariam and Sundress, had the honor of having his film Fan de Amoora nominated in more than six international festivals. The story of the film is about a young Emirati soccer fan and his journey to become a professional player. Majid al Ansari's Zinzana(The Cell) was the first Emirati film to be offered on the Netflix platform in 2016. It tells the adventure of a man imprisoned in a small police station who falls prey to a dangerous psychopath forcing him into a game of psychological manipulation. Finally, the young Emirati director Abdulla Al Kaab, originally from Fujairah, is another name to watch. Now based in Paris, he is best known for his short film The Philosopher (2010) with French actor Jean Reno.
Dubai as a movie set
Directed in 2005, the film Syriana, by Stephan Gaghan, saw its main desert scenes shot around Dubai. American stars Matt Damon and George Clooney were among those who walked on the sand of the dunes during the shooting. Dubai is also its incredible buildings, of a phenomenal height or futuristic architecture, such as the Burj Khalifa. It is the latter that saw Tom Cruise himself hanging there during the shooting of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, in 2011. The fourth episode of the saga is also the film with the largest budget to be shot in the city. In 2020, the film Vanguard was released, in which a large part of the plot takes place in the iconic locations of Dubai, with the participation of the famous actor Jackie Chan.
Original film experiences
Dubai also seeks to offer original cinematic experiences to its audiences. In the Al Quoz district, the art house cinema Akil offers a program that will delight movie lovers, with many French-speaking films. And, true to its reputation as a luxurious city, Dubai allows those who want to, and can, watch a movie with a very high quality service. This includes a reclining chair in a suite or private room and, above all, the possibility of asking butlers to serve you snacks and drinks. This happens in Reel Cinemas, like the one you'll find at The Dubai Mall & Souk Al Bahar or Mall of Emirates.
