Scene It!

As frequent movie-goers, we were pleased to discover that Dubai has an active movie scene, showing the majority of mainstream movies.

In addition, they also have an independent cinema culture.

The Scene Club brings to Dubai some of the top independent films from around the globe.  Started by award-winning director, Nayla Al Khaja (who was kind enough to come and speak at a CBC event!), the Club showcases uncensored independent films followed by a talk from the film's producer, director or someone intimately involved in the making of the film.

We have seen two great ones so far.  

The first - Zinzana - used a Coen Brothers-like approach to create a cat-and-mouse psychological thriller of a man in prison who is tortured by his past...and a madman.  The film showcased the emerging Emirati film culture as this superb film was done locally by a first-time director - the stellar cinematography, acting (by well known Arabic actors Saleh Bakri and Ali Sukiman) and story kept us on the edge of our seats until the very end.

The second - Race - portrayed the story of Jesse Owens, the legendary US track star who won 4 Olympic gold medals at the Berlin Olympics.  Scene Club members enjoyed the Middle East Premiere of the movie and learned first-hand from one of the producers the intense and long process (it took 15 years to make) undertaken to create the movie.

We cannot wait to see what movies are coming next....