Fatima Al Dhaheri and Alawiya Thani: The honest story is our way to the world

The story, in the Emirati cinema scene, is not just a text that is written, or a picture that is taken, but rather an integrated project that begins with the idea and ends with a human experience capable of touching a wide audience. Among this expansion, female roles emerge who work – with deep awareness – on the details of the work, from developing the scenario to choosing the faces that give it life. These experiences combine the belief in the power of the story, and the keenness to keep identity present as an essence that is reflected in every detail. In this meeting, we approach the experiences of: Fatima Al Dhaheri and Alawiya Thani, within “Image Nation Abu Dhabi”, where they present an integrated model in film making, and their creative vision intersects with cultural sense; Let the story be told honestly, so it reaches the world.

Fatima Al Dhaheri: Local businesses reflect our identity and culture

Fatima Al Dhaheri, a development executive at Image Nation Abu Dhabi, works from a position that goes beyond supervision to creative partnership, as her journey with the work begins from its early stages. To be part of its formation, not just follow its path; Its role is based on supporting the creative process from the moment of the idea, through developing the scenario, to building the characters, while ensuring that the content reflects the Emirati identity accurately and respectfully. For her, it is not about adding superficial cultural elements, but rather about building an integrated world whose details stem from the local context, and which is presented in a contemporary spirit.

Artistic vision

Regarding the development of the text, Al Dhaheri reveals that the development decision does not come individually, but rather through an ongoing dialogue between the creative team, where a balance is sought between the artistic vision and the requirements of implementation. She adds: “The story remains the most important element, as it is the foundation on which everything is built, and the more honest it is, the greater its ability to reach the audience.” As you can see, the development process does not stop at a certain stage, but rather continues sometimes even during implementation. Because the ultimate goal is to present the best possible version of the work, without compromising its spirit.

Clear fingerprints

Regarding the important stations in her journey, Fatima Al Dhaheri explains that the works, which she participated in developing, express that journey and carry its importance within its folds, including: “Hawba”, “Hawjan”, “Al-Kamin”, and the series “Heart of Justice”… She confirms: “In these projects, the role of executive follow-up went beyond; To include: developing stories, working closely with writers, and creators; To refine characters and build dramatic worlds in a way that serves the story and honestly reaches the audience. I also always ensure that these works reflect our identity and local culture, in a contemporary spirit.” Al Dhaheri realizes that the strength of these works lies in their ability to present stories that stem from the Emirati environment, while at the same time being able to address a global audience.

Story first

Regarding the scenario and its ability to be produced, Al Dhaheri says: “A strong scenario is one that carries a real human experience and presents characters that the audience can relate to. As for the possibility of production, it is related to the extent to which the idea is compatible with the capabilities, without losing its specificity or distinctiveness. It also indicates that the Emirati film scene is witnessing remarkable development, with an increasing focus on supporting local talent, through training or project production, which provides a real environment for the growth of filmmakers and the sustainability of this sector.

Regarding the current film market trends, especially in the Emirates, Fatima Al Dhaheri points to a clear growth in supporting local talents, and opening real paths for them to develop, through production, training, or project development. She explains that production institutions play a pivotal role in this transformation, citing the experience of Image Nation Abu Dhabi, which works to sponsor filmmakers through specialized programs to qualify them, in addition to producing cinematic and television works, which give Emirati creatives the opportunity to actually participate in all stages of the work industry.

Small details

What is she keen on in all her projects? Fatima Al Dhaheri answers, concluding her talk by emphasizing that what she seeks in every project is to preserve the honesty and authenticity of the story. She confirms: “Small details make a real difference, and any story that stems from its environment honestly is able to continue and reach.” Stating that her constant ambition is to contribute to presenting works that reflect the Emirati identity in a contemporary spirit, and prove that the local story, when told with a real feeling, is able to reserve its place in the memory of the audience, wherever it is.

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Alawiya Thani: Success starts from the roots

Alawiya Thani, an Emirati filmmaker, has a firm belief that the character is the heart of the work, and that the success of the film begins with choosing the face capable of carrying it honestly, and that choosing the actor is not only related to technical skill, but rather to his ability to live the character and convey its true feeling to the screen. Because the viewer reacts to honesty, before any other element.

Local is a path to global

What is the difference between the Emirati and international stories? Alawiya Thani shows that it lies in the details, not in the essence, and explains: “Man everywhere carries the same feelings: love, fear, ambition, and the search for identity. The real difference lies in the details; The environment, culture, and narrative method that emanate from the place. When the Emirati story is told honestly; Be able to cross borders; Because local specificity gives it its universality.” It emphasizes that the path to universality is not by imitating others, but rather by starting from oneself. Because identity gives the work its uniqueness and strength… She added: “As a filmmaker, I am always concerned with the human being: his relationships, transformations, and internal conflicts. “I love stories that seem simple on the surface, but carry deeper layers of meaning.”

Harmony of elements

When does a cinematic work succeed? Alawiya Thani points out that this success is not based on a single element, but rather on the integration of all its elements, including: direction, image, and rhythm. She explains: “The sincere performance gives the story its true life; Image, direction, and rhythm are all important tools, but they remain in the service of the story and feelings that the text carries. When the actor is able to convey the true feeling to the character, the viewer becomes able to relate to the story, and this, for me, is the primary goal of any cinematic work.”

Female characters

Regarding the criteria for presenting female characters, Alawiya Thani says: “Presenting strong female characters does not mean focusing on apparent strength, but rather on the depth of the character, its realism, and its ability to influence the story. An honest personality, with all its feelings and conflicts, is the one that leaves a real impact.”

A voice is forming

Regarding her vision of the presence of Emirati women artistically, Alawiya Thani confirms that their presence has become more evident, with the increasing number of female directors, writers, and producers, which reflects an environment that supports creativity, and a space that expands for new voices, carrying different visions. She confirms that the Emirati filmmaker is distinguished by her special human and visual sense, and this clearly appears in the way she deals with stories and the minute details she presents on the screen, which gives her works depth and honesty that touch the audience. She believes that the true beginning of a filmmaker begins from his locality, from the place to which he belongs, and the environment whose details he knows well. Because success is not built outside these roots. She emphasizes that achieving global reach is only achieved after establishing this presence locally, where belonging gives the work its sincerity and strength. For her, locality remains the basis from which every experience begins, and the natural path towards universality, through stories that stem from culture and identity, and carry their specificity with confidence.

Alawiya Thani concludes by emphasizing that the most important thing that the young filmmaker must adhere to is honesty with herself and the stories she tells, pointing out that cinema must be an expression of a real human experience, in addition to the aesthetic image. She adds: “The road, despite the challenges it brings in its beginnings, remains a space for continuous learning, as each experience contributes to refining the vision and building a clearer, more mature creative voice.”

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