In today's issue
One giant step for UAE cinema
The lights went down and the cameras started rolling, as more than 500 VIPs sat in Grand Cineplex, Dubai, to watch the premiere of the UAE's first major motion picture.
- Kelly Crane, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 January 24, 2006
The lights went down and the cameras started rolling, as more than 500 VIPs sat in Grand Cineplex, Dubai, to watch the premiere of the UAE's first major motion picture.
Eqaab, an epic film of love, hate and punishment, is directed and produced by Majid Abdulrazak and based on the classic novel The Count of Monte Cristo.
Abdulrazak also plays the lead character effortlessly and is supported by actors from across the GCC including Samira Ahmad, Habib Gholum, Haifa Hussain, Mohammad Al Janahi, Abdulmohsin Alnemr, Mohammad Saeed, Abdullah Abdul Aziz, Yalda and Jihan Abdul Aziz.
Challenge
Abdulrazak said: "Being the scriptwriter, producer, director and actor was quite a challenge.
"However it was an exhilarating experience because it was my first venture into the world of making movies and it was definitely worth the effort and hardship.
"The actors have all been thoroughly professional and I have enjoyed working with all the senior artistes in every way.
"This film represents the epitome of my life and is a gift that I wanted to present to myself after much hardship and struggle. I am proud of my achievement, especially as I picked up most of experience of making films on the job."
Shot in breathtaking locations across the UAE, the Arabic film with English subtitles is a work of art, full of powerful dialogue and a quick-moving plot.
"I am looking forward to feedback from the audience and hope it is well accepted. That is the ultimate credit," Abdulrazak said.
Film screening
Catch Eqaab until January 31 at these cinemas. Show timings are 10.20am, 1pm, 3.50pm, 6.30pm, 9.15pm and midnight.
Dubai: Grand Cineplex.
Abu Dhabi: Grand Al Mariah.
Al Ain: Grand Rotana, Al Ain Rotana Hotel.
Sharjah: Grand Sharjah, Riviera Tower.
RAK: Grand Manar, Al Manar Mall.
Fujairah: Grand Dana Cineplex.
The plot
Eqaab is adapted from the classic novel The Count of Monte Cristo written by Alexander Dumas.
The film stars Majid Abdulrazak as The Count, the dashing young sailor dreaming of settling down with the lovely Fatima.
His dreams are rudely shattered when he is betrayed and falsely accused of treason by his rival Khamis who wants Fatima for himself and by his jealous shipmate Mubarak who wants Majid?s prestigious position for himself.
Majid is arrested on the eve of his wedding by deputy superintendent Sulaiman and is imprisoned on an island prison for 14 years. He vows revenge from the first day.
Fourteen years later, disguised as the shrouded corpse of Mutawa, Majid escapes from the ghastly prison, finds hidden treasure and reinvents himself as the wealthy Sufyan Bin Rasheed as part of his revenge plan.
He is near ruthless in his quest for justice, playing on the weaknesses of his enemies, in a plot that keeps the audience engrossed.
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