Abu Dhabi, UAE
Based on the vision of Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation to support and develop the Emirati film industry, and to improve its societal role in developing talents and stimulating creativity, and within the framework of joint production work, Abu Dhabi Festival supports the production of the Film “MILLSTONE” movie by the Emirati writer and film director Nasser Al Dhaheri. The film cites the biography of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, which was premiered yesterday, Thursday, at Vox Cinema at the Galleria on Al Maryah Island.
Her Excellency Hoda Ibrahim Al-Khamis, founder of Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, and founder and director of Abu Dhabi Festival, said: “Believing in the importance of our role, since the establishment of Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation nearly thirty years ago, in empowering the Emirati film industry, supporting its creators, and strengthening the Emirati presence globally, we cooperated with the author, journalist, and director Nasser Al-Dhaheri in the production of his exceptional film. Our contribution in documenting the march of the United Arabic Emirates establishment and progress, through the eyes of its creatives, who devoted their time and effort to produce work that raises the local film industry to the international level, is in line with our pilot role… and here comes his film making its way to the hearts of people and the minds of critics around the world… and here comes his word, telling the Zayed’s story, the story of a man who built a nation, and a nation in a man.”
“MILLSTONE” is a film that addresses the theme of “The Eye is the First to See Dreams”. Over an hour and a half, it narrates the biography of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God bless his soul, since he became the ruler of Al-Ain City in 1946, his wise direction of the region’s affairs in difficult economic, health and educational conditions, and how he developed the eastern region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, organized its affairs, provided free water to its residents and their farms, brought doctors and teachers from abroad, and commanded the construction of the local market, and many other things.
On his part, the director Nasser Al Dhaheri said: “The production of the film took two years, between writing, organization and preparation, and archival research, in addition to filming with forty personalities who closely knew the late Sheikh Zayed during his life and rule, and were related to his daily life and its details in homeland and aboard, especially humanitarian matters”.
He added: “The film documents the life of Sheikh Zayed for future generations to be aware of the challenges that faced the founder fathers in their lives, and how that exceptional historical man was destined to create his miracle between the desert and the sea, so the United Arab Emirates becomes one of the developed countries that enjoys prosperity, stability and a good international reputation today.”
The film, in which more than fifty people from different countries of the world participated, including France, Netherlands, Morocco, Ukraine, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Lithuania, and Tunisia, was translated into English, French, and Spanish to be shown around the world and in many international film festivals.
The film was produced by writer and film director Nasser Al Dhaheri, sponsored by National Library and Archives, and supported by Abu Dhabi Festival and the Ministry of Culture and Youth. The work was also dedicated to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, “Mother of the Emirates”, the companion of the struggling path of Zayed Al-Khair in the establishment and construction.
It is noteworthy that Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation recently announced the activities program of the twentieth edition of Abu Dhabi Festival 2023 under the theme of “The Will for Evolution, Country of Honor”, which includes a distinguished series of exclusive commissioning works, co-production, premiers locally, in the Arab world, and internationally, and an exceptional group of local and international events and tours, in addition to dialogue seminars and workshops.
During the first three weeks of March, the festival will present its intensive main program, which includes many shows and live music events, while local community events and other international works will continue to be shown around the year.