Five films exploring Islamic themes at Dubai International Film Festival

The Middle East’s biggest film week is back, and with a line-up of more than 150 movies, there’s definitely something for every movie fan at this year’s Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), which runs until 14 December. 

Presented in partnership with Dubai Studio City, one of DIFF’s main aims is to support the local film scene by driving the growth and development of film production in the UAE as well as nurturing emerging local and international talent. And year after year, more local productions have been premiering at the week-long event. 

Despite this, it does take a more extensive search to find films on a particular theme or subject. But when it comes to Muslim-themed cinema, My Salaam has you covered. Here are five films that feature a Muslim story, Islamic themes, or hijabi characters.

LAYLA M.

Drama | Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Jordan | Directed by Mijke de Jong

Focusing on the issue of identity crisis, something many third-culture kids feel at some point in their life, Layla M. is the story of an 18-year-old girl of Moroccan origin who was born and bred in Amsterdam.

With the increasing suspicion in her adopted country against girls wearing headscarves, Layla’s faith intensifies, but for the extreme. Will it lead her down the wrong path?

Starring: Nora El Koussour and Ilias Addab

ABRAHAM

Fiction | Iraq, Germany and Italy | Directed by Ali Kareem Obaid

This “Muhr Gulf Short,” which will see its world premiere at DIFF 2016, is set against the backdrop of ISIS’s imposition of jizya, a tax on non-Muslims, in its territories. The short explores a Christian family’s plan to protect themselves and their only daughter.

Starring: Sara El Debuçh, Mohamed Zouaoui, Basil Al Ali, Faisal Dasser and Wolf Layban

VAROONEGI

Drama | Iran| Directed by Behnam Behzadi

Sahar Dolatshahi plays Niloofar, a confident and ambitious single woman who owns her own tailoring shop in Tehran. She’s also one of the few hijabi characters featured at this year’s DIFF.

When her mother unexpectedly falls ill, Niloofar is forced to leave Tehran to take care of her in a quiet village. While she is preoccupied, her selfish brother takes advantage of the situation, and she has to find a way to try to win her old life again.

Starring: Sahar Dolatshahi, Ali Reza Aghakhani, Ali Mosaffa and Shirin Yazdanbakhsh

MAWLANA

Drama | Egypt| Directed by Magdy Ahmed Ali

In recent years, extreme religious views have become more widespread, and this topic is commonly explored in Egyptian cinema. Mawlana, which has its world premiere at the festival, features Amr Saad as Sheikh Hatem, an imam who stands out in society due to his non-traditional Islamic views.

Amidst his celebrity status—leading prayers at a government mosque and issuing fatwas on TV—he becomes embroiled in a sensitive situation that threatens his personal life.

Starring: Amr Saad, Dorra, Ahmed Magdy, Bayoumi Fouad and Reham Haggag

ARABIAN SWAN

Fiction | United States| Directed by Fahad Aljoudi

Although from a conservative family, Noor, who is studying medicine in the US, is determined to pursue ballet, even practicing in her headscarf. However, when her overprotective brother finds out, he threatens to send her home. Will she carry on performing?

Starring: Aya Mukhtar, Lauren B. Mosley and Ahmed El Gendy