![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ADWHROBUVEVO4WWWKNQGZLUIEQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ff715b4fa4a55aff8b2a9a65974c36745f16e1c4d22fd30c678d4ea48ba3f8e&width=400&height=225)
A still from the film. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
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'Scales' director Shahad Ameen on set in Khasab, a small Omani town where the film was shot. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
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Saudi Arabian actress Basima Hajjar plays Hayat, the main character. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
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Hayat was supposed to be sacrificed to the sea, but was saved by her father. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
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Director Ameen initially wanted to be a writer, before taking up filmmaking. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6I4DEY3NRFSQO2D4FMZVOLI53A.jpg?smart=true&auth=dea72cc187eefc0b32ef8f463b3eb4a9d568d0761a6aaa36dc8b6933140216a3&width=400&height=225)
Ameen on set in Oman. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
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'Scales' used a lot of Omani villagers as actors, inviting an acting coach to the set to provide guidance. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NM5YKKSSW2FEZUZEVM5U2ZKHJI.jpg?smart=true&auth=f77688cc6b2b1b1bc2b8bb654dc3473687631d3bf49df6794db81d9b6cbe482e&width=400&height=225)
In the film, children are sacrificed to the sea as an offering to the gods. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
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Hayat's mother gives birth to a boy, pushing Hayat to be sacrificed. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
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Ameen has used Basima Hajjar in three of her films now. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M4TFMTZ2IFLGF7TFO32M7UUCXA.jpg?smart=true&auth=fce515cb4680884721e41f7514e66b4dea17c42a66b5f5928ba86865dde194ed&width=400&height=225)
Ameen on set in Oman. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
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Ameen recalls 'falling in love' with the village of Khasab for its 'out of this planet' scenery. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LEUJIDRXD2JZXHZVNSGDYFHEUM.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d36d9d53d4e67133450a81eda7af179c06193d5a6f89c92a604f9893666e7d6&width=400&height=225)
Ameen hopes the shoot will inspire Omanis to get into filmmaking. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HXFFX7HLWOVYG2EOTQ5UZQ637I.jpg?smart=true&auth=f84002506d2c67690e23e4fdbf08f3fc06a921424a6bea309c5c9557ff1f1f65&width=400&height=225)
A still from the film. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ADWHROBUVEVO4WWWKNQGZLUIEQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ff715b4fa4a55aff8b2a9a65974c36745f16e1c4d22fd30c678d4ea48ba3f8e&width=400&height=225)
A still from the film. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HOGMRNXENAWPPU7WS5J72RXH7I.jpg?smart=true&auth=67c242fd8361811dabef745556f80f8ef756c4b02fb88f5105a993b29e5f6a28&width=400&height=225)
'Scales' director Shahad Ameen on set in Khasab, a small Omani town where the film was shot. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7CZ26LJQZA3IYLZH6L2ISQ4ORU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e36eb6ff8574d94823ffdfcf6b4ca9e3090986ffedd038cc7efaa1b406691ea&width=400&height=225)
Saudi Arabian actress Basima Hajjar plays Hayat, the main character. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SS24NAPDSPDJ7HUHXH3MVEJS24.jpg?smart=true&auth=c91b9d157cae5857915b9d9753907fc2716b69467d668a8bb301c5a802033497&width=400&height=225)
Hayat was supposed to be sacrificed to the sea, but was saved by her father. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MTP4MK7MLODJ7PSBU5BCBVBIUE.jpg?smart=true&auth=3f2e143e784dfee59f8dfdaa70fa80de7b119278a43e94d8cb498ebff8e3a9de&width=400&height=225)
Director Ameen initially wanted to be a writer, before taking up filmmaking. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6I4DEY3NRFSQO2D4FMZVOLI53A.jpg?smart=true&auth=dea72cc187eefc0b32ef8f463b3eb4a9d568d0761a6aaa36dc8b6933140216a3&width=400&height=225)
Ameen on set in Oman. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WRXTGCVMMINLMCPXQGWIYKYSWQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=836529e47cdcdc59df4ef3b9f9fba779bfdc92dfcc8744f769e6d0b60a581d93&width=400&height=225)
'Scales' used a lot of Omani villagers as actors, inviting an acting coach to the set to provide guidance. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NM5YKKSSW2FEZUZEVM5U2ZKHJI.jpg?smart=true&auth=f77688cc6b2b1b1bc2b8bb654dc3473687631d3bf49df6794db81d9b6cbe482e&width=400&height=225)
In the film, children are sacrificed to the sea as an offering to the gods. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DM63XNSRCIYNKOQ4ZMJM66ZPFY.jpg?smart=true&auth=89412876bae3460c680fb7cc9a9683cdac97a649640472996d9a4ab8ea507b29&width=400&height=225)
Hayat's mother gives birth to a boy, pushing Hayat to be sacrificed. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IQBMIDE3DWKIUCKPQMAMRPUFBA.jpg?smart=true&auth=85fae1e2c41154de8e1d4b23e0ddf3690fcc497968924120b2f85659b9001459&width=400&height=225)
Ameen has used Basima Hajjar in three of her films now. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M4TFMTZ2IFLGF7TFO32M7UUCXA.jpg?smart=true&auth=fce515cb4680884721e41f7514e66b4dea17c42a66b5f5928ba86865dde194ed&width=400&height=225)
Ameen on set in Oman. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4XTIRCCFIORUBNSA3Z7FYP6U6E.jpg?smart=true&auth=65e61b471451aa75a89a68e87a673556d1f712e91f25323aaecc267e5149ea3f&width=400&height=225)
Ameen recalls 'falling in love' with the village of Khasab for its 'out of this planet' scenery. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LEUJIDRXD2JZXHZVNSGDYFHEUM.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d36d9d53d4e67133450a81eda7af179c06193d5a6f89c92a604f9893666e7d6&width=400&height=225)
Ameen hopes the shoot will inspire Omanis to get into filmmaking. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HXFFX7HLWOVYG2EOTQ5UZQ637I.jpg?smart=true&auth=f84002506d2c67690e23e4fdbf08f3fc06a921424a6bea309c5c9557ff1f1f65&width=400&height=225)
A still from the film. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
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A still from the film. Image Nation Abu Dhabi
Saudi director Shahad Ameen on her Venice debut: 'Any Arab who watches this will relate to it'
'This film needs to be told and it’s a story that needs to be heard. It's a great step forward,' Ameen tells us about 'Scales', her first feature film
Ashleigh Stewart
28 August, 2019
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