Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja and Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman met at the Cannes Film Festival to discuss Al Khaja’s highly-anticipated feature film Baab.
The mystery thriller will be set in Ras Al Khaimah and tells the story of Wahida, a woman who is haunted by the mysterious death of her twin sister. The discovery of hidden cassette tapes then leads her on a pursuit to find answers and deal with her grief.
Shooting for Baab will begin in 2023.
“I am delighted to be in Cannes with A R Rahman to start to introduce the industry to this authentic, thought-provoking film and the vision we have for showcasing the incredible region of Ras Al Khaimah,” Al Khaja said at the event.
“We are very much looking forward to starting production on the project next year and returning to Cannes when it's complete.”
The two renowned figures sat down with journalists to discuss the project. They touched upon Al Khaja's vision for the film, and how Rahman became involved.
She revealed other details about the production, which will be produced by Elly Senger-Weiss and Sultan Al Darmaki, with Muna Easa Al Gurg to serve as executive producer.
The northern emirate will provide the film's backdrop, and residents of Ras Al Khaimah will be cast.
“My grandmother came from the mountains, they have never been captured in a feature before,” Al Khaja 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 A R 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.”
Arab stars descend on Cannes for Red Sea Film Festival's celebration of women — in pictures:
-
Saudi actress Mila Al Zahrani attends the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala hosted by the Red Sea International Film Festival on day five of the 75th Cannes film festival at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 21, 2022. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Saudi filmmaker Fatima AlBanawi attends the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Lebanese blogger Karen Wazen, who lives in Dubai, and husband Elias Bakhazi attend the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Jordanian screenwriter and producer Nadia Eliewat attends the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Egyptian actress Tara Emad attends the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Saudi producer Mohammed Al Turki, chairman of the Red Sea International Film Festival committee, speaks at the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Naomi Campbell attends the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Turkish-German actor Numan Acar attends the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Alessandra Ambrosio attends the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Isabelle Fuhrman attends the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Wallis Day attends the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Tiziana Rocca attends the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Emanuela Postacchini attends the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje attends the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Toni Garrn attends the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Sasha Luss attends the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Natasha Poly attends the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Rossy de Palma attends the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Naomie Harris attends the Celebration Of Women In Cinema Gala. Photo: Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival -
Tilda Swinton attends the screening of 'R.M.N' at Palais des Festivals on May 21, 2022 in Cannes, France. Getty Images -
Catrinel Marlon arrives for the screening of 'R. M. N.'. EPA -
Macrina Barladeanu departs the screening of 'R.M.N'. Getty Images -
A guest poses as she arrives for the screening of the film 'R. M. N'. AFP -
French writer Frederic Beigbeder arrives for the screening of the film 'Smoking Causes Coughing (Fumer Fait Tousser)' during the 75th Cannes Film Festival, on May 21, 2022. AFP -
Director Audrey Diwan attends the screening of 'Smoking Causes Coughing (Fumer Fait Tousser)'. Getty Images -
French actress Adele Exarchopoulos arrives for the screening of the film 'Smoking Causes Coughing (Fumer Fait Tousser)'. AFP -
French actress Doria Tillier arrives for the screening of the film 'Smoking Causes Coughing (Fumer Fait Tousser)'. AFP -
Oulaya Amamra attends the screening of 'Smoking Causes Coughing (Fumer Fait Tousser)'. Getty Images -
Natasha Andrews attends the Dior x Madame Figaro x Canal + Dinner at the JW Marriott Hotel Rooftop on May 21, 2022. Photo: Getty Images for Christian Dior -
Noham Edje attends the Dior x Madame Figaro x Canal + Dinner. Photo: Getty Images for Christian Dior -
Isabelle Adjani attends the Dior x Madame Figaro x Canal + Dinner. Photo: Getty Images for Christian Dior -
Eva Herzigova attends the Dior x Madame Figaro x Canal + Dinner. Photo: Getty Images for Christian Dior -
Iris Law attends the Dior x Madame Figaro x Canal + Dinner. Photo: Getty Images for Christian Dior -
Kiera Chaplin attends the 'Chopard Loves Cinema' gala dinner at Hotel Martinez on May 21, 2022. Photo: Getty Images For Chopard -
Lee Jeong-Jae attends the 'Chopard Loves Cinema' gala dinner. Photo: Getty Images For Chopard -
Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu attends the 'Chopard Loves Cinema' gala dinner. Photo: Getty Images For Chopard -
Geraldine Bazan attends the 'Chopard Loves Cinema' gala dinner. Photo: Getty Images For Chopard -
Salma Abu-Deif attends the 'Chopard Loves Cinema' gala dinner. Photo: Getty Images For Chopard -
Khadja Nin attends the 'Chopard Loves Cinema' gala dinner. Photo: Getty Images For Chopard -
Poppy Delevingne attends the 'Chopard Loves Cinema' gala dinner. Photo: Getty Images For Chopard -
Vicky Krieps arrives for the screening of 'More Than Ever (Plus Que Jamais)' during the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival. EPA -
Woody Harrelson and Ruben Oestlund leave after the screening of 'Triangle of Sadness'. EPA -
Noel Capri Berry arrives for the screening of 'Triangle of Sadness'. EPA -
Lady Victoria Hervey arrives for the screening of 'Triangle of Sadness'. EPA -
Ethan Hawke, left, and Ryan Hawke arrive for the screening of 'Triangle of Sadness'. EPA -
Leonie Hanne attends the screening of 'Triangle Of Sadness'. Getty Images -
Larsen Thompson arrives for the screening of 'Triangle of Sadness'. EPA -
Marion Cotillard at the photo call for the film 'Brother and Sister'. Invision / AP
