Emirati street-racing film ‘Hajwala’ banned in Kuwait

An Emirati drama set in the underworld of street car racing in the UAE has been banned in Kuwait, producers have told Gulf News. Hajwala, which follows two teams of drifters who go head-to-head in an all-stakes race against each other, is scheduled to release in 37 screens across the Gulf on Thursday.

“We are very disappointed, especially because they haven’t event explained to us why they have not allowed the film to release,” said producer Ali Al Marzouqi of Dhabi Gulf Film. “This is a double standard since they allow similar Hollywood films to release without any problem, even if they don’t have any message. Our film has a very strong message.”

Directed by Ali Bin Matar and Ebrahim Bin Mohammad, who are making their feature film debut, the film was shot across Ral Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi.

“[Authorities] really liked the story and the message,” Bin Matar told Gulf News tabloid! in an earlier interview. “While it is predominantly about cars, it’s also about how this dangerous lifestyle affects their lives and their relationships with people in their lives and family.”

Hajwala will release in Arabic but with English subtitles.