A BAHRAINI film has been screened across the region via online platforms, highlighting the various elements of the country’s rich culture.
It also showcases emerging local talents as it was shot and produced in Bahrain.
Titled Asma’aha, which is Arabic for ‘I hear it’, the seven-minute production follows the story of a young Bahraini woman as she visits various sites including her childhood home, the old streets of Manama and Muharraq, the desert and agricultural farms before arriving at the Diplomatic Area.
It was screened through YouTube and social media platforms as the opening film of the 11th edition of the Ta’a Al Shabab cultural festival.
It was produced by Bahraini filmmaker and director Ahmed Al Kuwaiti, who heads the premiere team, and starred 24-year-old Dalal Al Najem who is also a film producer.
“The three-day filming process was beautiful and we didn’t encounter any trouble at any of the locations as people were really amazing,” Mr Al Kuwaiti, 24, told the GDN.
“We were joined by people we met by coincidence at the locations we were shooting in and they all decided to join the project.
“We are highlighting the daily and truthful life in different cities and areas in Bahrain while also representing Bahrain’s density, culture and differences.
“We wanted to capture the ‘true Bahrain’ as we didn’t want to just film the old traditions and attire but we wanted to capture Bahrain ‘now’.
“It’s important for the youth of Bahrain to all collaborate and to believe in each other and rise together to do amazing work.”
The film is narrated through a song written by Malak Latif, composed by Mohammed Al Hasan and performed by Hind Dito, while the team also includes crew members Essa Al Hujairi, Kawther Dashti and Mohammed Al Kaabi – all young Bahrainis aspiring to rise in the filming industry.
Mr Al Kuwaiti also highlighted the importance of such short films to preserve the changes and growth the country is experiencing in order to share it with future generations.
Stories
“As the world is growing and moving so are our stories, so it’s very important to document the stories of our land, the changes we are going through and the growth we are experiencing,” he explained.
“Film is important to show the world what we are doing now and what we did in the past and what we plan to do in the future.
“In my opinion Covid-19 hasn’t really affected the creative industry much but it also gave us a chance to breathe, to realise what we didn’t do and what we missed.
“It also gave us a chance to plan because the secret of great work is planning, preparation and believing in the work.”
For more information, visit @ahmedalkuwaiti or @ta2_alshabab on Instagram with the whole film available on YouTube through youtu.be/jGAiJuDWHwo.
reem@gdn.com.bh
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