Dubai on the big screen again: Emirati director Ali F Mostafa opens up on ‘City of Life’ sequel

Dubai is set to take center stage in City of Life: Continuum, the highly anticipated sequel to Ali F Mostafa’s 2009 film City of Life, the filmmaker confirmed on February 26.

Described as the film’s fourth character, Dubai’s evolving skyline and multicultural fabric will serve as both a backdrop and a narrative force in the upcoming film backed by Dubai Studios.

Mostafa, whose debut film City of Life was widely praised for its authentic portrayal of Dubai’s multicultural fabric, believes the time is ripe for a sequel.

“It’s been 17 years since the first film, and I feel that the people who live here today deserve a film that represents their experience,” said Mostafa. “The population has grown, and many new residents might not have seen City of Life, but they too deserve a film that they can love, be proud of, and share with their families. This film will offer them that.”

Unlike the stereotypical depictions of Dubai as merely a glitzy playground, Mostafa’s vision remains grounded in reality.

“It’s real, and it has its own problems, like any major city. But when we have problems, we solve them, and that’s what I want to show in this film,” he added.

The upcoming film will continue to reflect Dubai’s cosmopolitan essence, much like its predecessor. Egyptian actor Nour Nabawy, Emirati talents Saoud Al Kaabi, Habib Ghuloom, Chinese-Australian actress Lin Yin, Austrian actor Kayode Akinyemi, and British American star Elodie Grace are a part of the confirmed cast.

“The city is a global place, and you need to represent it that way. I’ve been fortunate to build strong industry connections, and I’m excited to bring in incredible international talent.”

While the sequel builds on the themes of the original, Mostafa assured that audiences won’t need to have seen City of Life to enjoy City of Life: Continuum.

Mostafa also reflected on the evolution of UAE’s film industry, acknowledging its struggles and potential.

“Unfortunately, the industry hasn’t grown the way we hoped. It started strong, but then it plateaued,” he admitted. “We had a film festival that filmmakers looked forward to, which helped nurture local talent, but it disappeared. However, with recent changes under the Dubai Media Council, I believe we are on the brink of something great. The future looks bright.”

When asked if Bollywood actor Sonu Sood and British actor Jason Flemyng would reprise their roles from the original, Mostafa hinted positively but remained tight-lipped. However, he confirmed that Indian actor Jaaved Jaaferi, who was part of the original film, will definitely have a role in the sequel.

Among the fresh faces joining the sequel is Australian-Chinese actress Lin Yin, who expressed her excitement about working on a film that captures Dubai’s unique cultural blend.

“I’ve never been anywhere like Dubai. It’s such a fascinating place with people from all over the world,” said Lin Yin. “The story resonated with me because it’s about real people, and that’s what drew me in.”

Lin also hinted at some action-packed sequences in the film.

“I have a rehearsal with the stunt coordinator soon, which is exciting. I’ve done a bit of martial arts and dance before, so it’ll be great to incorporate that into my role.”

With a compelling narrative, a diverse cast, and Mostafa’s signature storytelling, the City of Life sequel promises to be a landmark moment for UAE cinema.

The highly anticipated project began its filming on February 17.

This is a moment of pride because this movie will tell a story that represents the UAE's diverse and dynamic culture, said Salem Al Youha AlMheiri, General Manager at Dubai Studios and CEO of Media Content at Dubai Media.

"This film is a testament to Dubai Studios' vision of elevating the industry to new heights. It's not just a Dubai Studios and AFM Films production - it's a film for all of Dubai and the UAE," he said.