Emirati filmmaker Ahmad Al Tunaiji’s ‘Arasian’ will be screened at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) from December 11 to 12.
The groundbreaking film addresses bullying and racism at school. Inspired by Tunaiji’s friend, Majid Abdalla Salim Almheiri, ‘Arasian’ mirrors Almheiri’s struggle to fit in at such a young age, having been bullied at school for his Filipino heritage, reported Khaleej Times.
Tunaiji having written the screenplay himself, hopes that the film would open discussion amongst its viewers and send a powerful message about the harmful effects of bullying, racism and encourages for more open-mindedness conversations regarding race.
“I want this film to open a platform for my audience to discuss the issue among themselves and with others. The message I am getting across is that every Emirati is an Emirati, regardless of whether their bloodline is pure or mixed,” Al Tunaiji remarked.
Arasian tells the story of 14-year-old half-Emirati, half-Filipino Khalifa, who struggles with being socially accepted. Khalifa in the film is then forced to make a decision, speak up for his Filipino heritage or give into peer pressure.
Filmmaker Ahmad Al Tunaiji with an extensive background, has studied film in New York, London and Abu Dhabi.
Photo source:Diff website
Source: The Khaleej Times
