Gulf Film Festival 2012: Meet the directors behind this weekend's films

Film: London in a Headscarf

When: Thursday, 2.15pm

Where: Grand Cinema 12 (Festival City)

What inspired you to make this film?

This is the first time I left my country to live independently for my studies. Coming from a conservative country I came face to face with issues that I had never really paid attention to. Living in a foreign country opens your mind to so many things and I decided I wanted to explore them through my film.

What challenges did you face while filming it?

I think the biggest challenge was to find the right people who were willing to speak in all honesty and share their thoughts. I had to probe them and make them feel comfortable to talk. But most of them changed their ideas as soon as the camera started rolling.

Also putting myself in front of the country was another challenge. I always felt comfortable with the camera but I didn't know how people will take it back home.

Another challenge was the fact that I was working with a non-Arabic crew who had no idea what our culture is and I had to explain so many things so they understood the whole concept.

What were your thoughts behind making this film?

This is a very personal film to me, as it is a true reflection of my [life] in cinema. I always wanted to explore issues that make people think and ask questions constantly. I like to focus on issues concerning the Emirati women, whether it is their education, culture, faith, relationship, etc.

Where else would you screen your film?

So far it has been screened at the London MENA film festival, as I'm one of the ambassadors of the festival. Also, it has won best mention at Dubai International Film Festival 2011. Hopefully [I] will apply to international festivals as well.

Since commercial cinema is an easier way to success and fame, why did you choose this theme for your movie?

My interest is not in the commercial cinema, as I don't really believe in that. My focus is on making films that I'm passionate about. I feel that a good film will sell itself, regardless of the marketing strategy, if it has a good solid foundation of a strong story. The story is what counts!

Jordan Bayne

Title of Film: The Sea is All I Know

When: Saturday, 9.30pm

Where: Grand Cinema 9 (Festival City)

What inspired you to make this film?

I was contemplating the concept of love and the capacity of love. Even the idea of sacrificing your own needs for the needs of another. In The Sea Is All I Know that is exactly the journey the parents go on when faced with the terminal illness ravaging their daughter and her request of them.

What challenges did you face while filming it?

Our biggest challenge has been funding. I discovered that regardless of whether you have a stunning script, an Oscar-nominated actress, people would rather put their money into something light and fluffy, even if the story you are telling is necessary and meaningful.

Another challenge during filming was shooting without permits, At one point I was shooting on the water, in the marina, when a police officer tried to shut us down. I had a producer engage the officer in a distracting argument, as I quickly turned the camera around, shooting by the seat of our pants, to get the other side of the scene that I needed before he shut us down. We got it.

What were your thoughts behind making this film?

Well, again the concept of love. However, these characters are simple people, with simple values that have been passed down, accepted, and gone unchallenged. He is a fisherman, and what he knows is the sea, with its natural law... the elemental. She has a faith, something that is not only part of the social fabric of who she is, but a deep and personal faith in Christianity.

Each of their belief systems is challenged, not only by their past relationship, but profoundly, as their daughter who seems to understand the nature of life and death in a way that is part of the mystical fabric of her own faith, makes an impossible request of them.

Where else would you screen your film?

I would love to let the film continue on the festival circuit for a while. I have distribution offers, so I hope to have it available on iTunes, VOD, international television markets, airplanes, etc. I have been asked to screen it for a charity organisation in America that helps the terminally ill with end of life options.

Since commercial cinema is an easier way to success and fame why did you choose this theme for your movie?

Success is such a subjective term, and fame, for the sake of fame doesn't hold an interest for me. Making meaningful films holds an interest for me. Telling stories of consequence holds an interest for me. If I were to have fame then I would love to utilise that to bring stories that I feel are important to tell.

Five minutes with...

Mariam Al Sarkal