New Voices Documentaries
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The following are four 3-minute documentaries produced through the Abu Dhabi Film Commission as part of their New Voices Documentary Program, each a mini-portrait of unique individuals living in the United Arab Emirates. The films play together as a single unit.
Touch Wood
This 3-minute doc by director/editor Amna Ehtesham Khaishgi is a portrait of Falak Sher, a Pakistani carpenter who emigrated to the United Arab Emirates more than 30 years ago. He talks about the lack of security in his home country and declares that democracy is useless if the people can't be kept safe from brigands and Muslim extremists. Sher is still angry that he can't enjoy the sort of freedom and economic opportunities in his native country but clearly has a lot of affection for his adopted homeland.
Call Me Break-stein
A fun and energetic doc from Sameer Al Jaberi looks at Ibrahim Saleh, a young Arab breakdancer who struts his moves to the backdrop of traditional Muslim minarets and architecture, which makes for an interesting juxtaposition. We watch Saleh hurtle his body around in incredibly athletic moves we're used to seeing in American inner cities and talk about his passion for this Western art form. His roommate can't stand it, though, because he dances at all hours.
The Barbershop
As the title suggests, this short film by Natalie Al Shami is a look at a pair of young barbers, Samir and Mounir, who both left their native Pakistan to cut hair in Abu Dhabi. Samir is the younger but already has 13 years of experience as a barber, starting when he was just a boy. Mounir is a little older and owns the shop where Samir works. He started with one chair and through hard work bought more and more until he had a thriving center for cutting hair and trimming beards.
of fish & men
Mohammad Al Marzoghi is a big, garrulous man with a booming voice and a friendly, yet stern, manner. This perfectly fits his occupation as an auctioneer at the Abu Dhabi fish market, where boats full of the catch of the day start arriving at 2 a.m., and before the sun has crept over the city's skyscrapers their job is largely over. The film by Rola Shamas ends with the poignant note that the market is set to be demolished for new urban development.
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