Opinion | Columnists
UAE can play a bigger role in the film industry
The country is ready to open its doors wide to the foreign film industry.
- By Salim Mohammad, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 23:01 August 14, 2008
- Image Credit: Nino Jose Heredia/Gulf News
Why do we need to set our films in the UAE? It is a simple question, but the answer is evasive. Maybe, we will have a hard time trying to figure out the reason for doing so in a place where many things are prohibited. Unless we don't understand what the situation is like in the UAE and how good is the country's film industry, we wouldn't be able to ask the above question in the first place.
Seeking to find the manner in which the film industry in the UAE functions is not as difficult as it seems. However, the way films are made, it does appear that something is wrong. Perhaps, we have been concerned with our personal feelings and not with what would attract foreigners to our land. Although, the authorities try to keep controversies away from the country because of unjust exposure, they don't make things easier for producers and film makers who want to portray the reality.
As a result, not many good movies were produced in the Middle East. Not that the producers in the Middle East make bad films, but it is more that they have limitations and restrict themselves to stories which they feel can make a big hit. By confining themselves to the possibility of producing hit movies, they mislead their viewers from the reality. Moreover, as some officials who control the film industry in the UAE neither allow political plots nor controversial stories, they give permission to screen foreign films only when they are satisfied that there are no controversial shots in the film that would depict the country in a poor light. Also, they scrutinise each and every foreign film to ensure that it is in line with their policy guidelines.
Despite the current situation of the film industry in the UAE, a few attempts were made to shoot some good films in the country. As of now, the country is ready to finally open its doors wide to the foreign film industry. If the move materialises, it would be a shot in the arm for our local film industry, too.
Digital film
In June 2008, the people watched a digital film archive of the UAE history. Although, much of these films were documentaries on the history of the country, the step showed that the UAE is indeed ready for a revamp and change in our film industry. At present, Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage was asked to establish a film commission with an order to promote Abu Dhabi as a film location to attract foreign film-makers. The attempt to open the doors for foreign films is a great move. Not only will it give a boost to the local film industry, but it will also promote the UAE. However, if some people misuse their positions, then they might blow everything away which would negatively impact the local film industry.
In the past four years, the UAE allowed at least two Hollywood films to be shot in the country. After the shoot, UAE censors carefully analysed the films, Syriana and The Kingdom, to the extent that several scenes were deleted from the original film. This kind of censorship spoiled the whole story. But in our defence, we just don't want the UAE to be depicted poorly as we are working on promoting the country as a tourist attraction.
The question is, are we ready to open our doors to the international film industry? Maybe not, maybe yes. The two films shot in the UAE in the past four years showed that there was indeed a strong will to welcome foreign film-makers.
Perhaps there is no reason for us to worry more about the UAE film industry because we surely have produced some good movies due to the hard work of some dedicated people who want to develop and transform the film industry. What we should, however, realise is that we need to open our doors wider to let foreigners see the good things in our country.
Most of the time, promoting our land as a location for foreign films does not require strict censorship. Currently, we are trying to attract foreign film makers without creating a negative impression about them. If we want foreign film makers to be part of the film industry in our land, then we should be more realistic and keep the mischief makers away.
Films aren't made to deceive people. It is a way to make people see what the reality is.
Dr Salim Mohammad is a UAE writer.
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