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
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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
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Noham Edje attends the Dior x Madame Figaro x Canal + Dinner. Photo: Getty Images for Christian Dior
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Iris Law attends the Dior x Madame Figaro x Canal + Dinner. Photo: Getty Images for Christian Dior
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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
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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
Updated: May 23, 2022, 8:23 AM