Oman to participate in Kazan International Islamic Film Festival in Russia
Muscat, The Gulf Observer: Two Omani films will participate in the Kazan International Islamic Film Festival in the Republic of Russia, which are:- the short narrative film ‘Ashes’, and the short documentary film ‘You Will Not Dive Alone’, which is the first Omani participation in this festival.
The Sultanate is the only Gulf participant in the eighth session, which will be held from 5 to 9 September, in Kazan, Tatarstan, in the Federal Republic of Russia.
The Kazan International Islamic Film Festival is considered one of the most important festivals in the Russian Federation and the world. Many countries participate in it and it targets participation from Islamic countries or Muslim filmmakers, which aims to show the true face of Islam in tolerance, coexistence and understanding.
The short feature film Ashes, written and directed by Suleiman Al Khalili, which was produced in 2023 with the support of the Omani Cinema Association, was shown on Tuesday, the second day of the festival, as part of the short feature film screenings, and received everyone’s approval. It talks about a family living in a mountain village in the nineties, and when it is discovered.
Their unmarried teenage daughter is pregnant, and the family decides to kill her, along with the doctor who seeks to save her after discovering a medical error. The film Ashes was selected to participate in the Bahrain Film Festival and the International Human Rights Film Festival in Morocco during next October, and the International Documentary and Short Narrative Film Festival in Morocco during next December, noting that the film’s script won the second prize as the best unexecuted screenplay for the year 2022.
As for the short documentary film, You Will Not Dive Alone, directed by Fahd Al-Maimani, which was shown on Thursday, the third day of the festival, the film talks about the world of the depths of the seas and oceans in a charming and dazzling way. The marine world is distinguished by its mystery and richness, as it embraces different lives and unique beings, in addition to the secrets it hides. The film also tells the story of the Omani sailor Faisal Al-Yazidi and Ahmed Al-Busaidi and their close relationship with this magical world, as they share their experiences and adventures between land and sea. The film delves into the details of this mysterious world and reveals different worlds under the surface of the water, with scenes that take the audience on an exploratory journey to discover beauty.
“ You Will Not Dive Alone” film won many awards, including two awards at the Al Batinah International Film Festival. It was also selected to participate in many festivals, including the International Environmental Film Festival in the Russian Federation and the I.M. That is, in the United Kingdom, the Saudi Film Festival, and the Chefchaouen International Festival in the Kingdom of Morocco.
