Pathbreaking Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja is teaming up with Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman for her forthcoming feature, the mystery thriller Baab, set in Ras Al Khaimah.
Rahman, who earned global fame for his work on the soundtrack of Slumdog Millionaire, will score the music for Khaja's film, scheduled to begin shooting in March 2023.
The film, co-written by Al Khaja and writer Masoud Amralla Al Ali, follows Wahida, who is haunted by the mysterious death of her twin sister. The discovery of hidden cassette tapes then leads her on a relentless pursuit to find answers and deal with her own grief.
The northern Emirate will provide the film's dramatic backdrop and will cast indigenous people from Ras Al Khaimah, Al Khaja said.
“My grandmother came from the mountains, they have never been captured in a feature before," she said. "The sheer access to the indigenous people of Ras Al Khaimah and the soulful script is an untold story that I am eager to tell. With AR Rahman on board, we will live a very immersive journey that is authentic, haunting and real."
Rahman, who has also won Bafta, Golden Globe and Grammy awards, has sold more than 200 million records worldwide and worked on more than 145 films.
“I’m delighted to be working with Nayla on her feature film," he said. "She’s a passionate and promising filmmaker and an important creative voice within the Gulf region.
"The script is enigmatic, thought-provoking and promises to be both visually and emotionally engaging for universal audiences. I’m looking forward to the journey.”
Besides Baab, Al Khaja, one of the pioneering Emirati filmmakers, is also in pre-production on her debut feature film Three, which is scheduled to go into production later this year. She is the executive producer for The Alexandria Killings, the serial-killer series from Front Row Filmed Entertainment and Rocket Science’s joint Middle East film and TV company Yalla Yalla.
Oscar-winning writer-director Terry George (Hotel Rwanda, In the Name of the Father) is at the helm, along with celebrated Egyptian writer Mariam Naoum to co-write.
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Teaching in coronavirus times
The Year Earth Changed
Directed by:Tom Beard
Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough
Stars: 4
