Ali F Mostafa says the film is perfect for the technology. John Phillips / Getty Images for BFI
Ali F Mostafa says the film is perfect for the technology. John Phillips / Getty Images for BFI

Ali F Mostafa’s The Worthy to be first Arab film to screen in 4DX



When Ali F Mostafa's third movie, The Worthy, hits cinemas tomorrow, it will mark a couple of significant milestones – for Arab film in general and Emirati cinema in particular.

The movie could already reasonably claim to be the first Arab post-apocalyptic thriller to go on general release, and this week it was announced that it will be the first Arabic-language movie screened in the 4DX format at Vox Cinemas, featuring moving seats, smoke, wind and water effects, and even smells.

Emirati director Mostafa says he is excited at the prospect, though he admits he was largely a bystander in the decision to adapt the movie to 4DX.

“When we first screened the film to the distributors, Vox, one of them just said: ‘This would make a great 4DX film’,” he says. Vox chief executive Cameron Mitchell clearly agrees.

“With so many action scenes and edge-of-your-seat moments, this is the perfect film for 4DX,” says Mitchell. “Audiences can expect water effects such as mist and rain, wind, with a gentle breeze or turbulent storm – they are going to have a truly exhilarating time.”

To create the experience, the film was sent overseas to 4DX specialists, who programme the seat movements and effects to match the on-screen action.

Mostafa says he was not familiar with the format before discovering his movie would be adapted.

“I must admit, I’ve never experienced a 4DX film,” he says. “I was really surprised to learn that apparently every other film with elements of action and so on, they screen in 4DX – and this has been going on for at least a couple of years.

“Apparently they do really well, and audiences love it. But I have to admit it’s something I’ve only really experienced at a funfair with the kids.”

Mostafa now finds himself in the unusual position for a director of preparing to present a movie in a format he has not experienced to the audience during a private 4DX preview tonight – which means it will be a first for both Mostafa and the audience.

“I’m doubly excited because not only is it the first Arab film to get the 4DX treatment, but it will also be the first 4DX film I’ve experienced when I watch the preview,” he says.

“I wish I could see it sooner – I’m introducing the film, so I’d really like to know what it’s like in 4DX first, but I’m going to find out with everyone else. It sounds fun, though, like a whole new experience of watching a movie.

“It’s another landmark for Arab cinema, and for myself too I guess. It’s a pretty cool landmark to have.”

The release of the film in Mostafa’s home country marks the end of a long journey to the screen, from the initial announcement at the Dubai International Film Festival in 2014 and the unveiling of the first trailer at the same event a year later, to its world premiere at the London Film Festival last October and the regional premiere at Diff in December.

Mostafa admits there is a bittersweet side to the release.

“It’s an amazing feeling, but there’s always these concerns as a director that if the first weekend doesn’t do well, then it won’t trickle down,” he says.

“I’m sure everybody that goes to see it, 4DX or not, will enjoy it. Everyone I know who has seen it has enjoyed it, whether they’re fans of the genre or not. They’ve walked away with an experience.

“It had a tremendous screening in London, we had a crazy screening at Diff where people were applauding during the movie – so let’s just hope we can keep that going.”

With the door left open for a sequel, this is another reason for the director to hope audiences share his enthusiasm for the movie.

“At the end of the day, the importance of us making these movies is that the movies get seen, and I really want to get the message out there that the film is in cinemas,” he says.

Spreading the word is clearly particularly important to Mostafa following critical praise, but disappointing box office returns, for his previous movie, road-trip comedy From A to B.

“Unfortunately, with my second film I even had some of my closest friends ask me, ‘When’s it releasing?’ – and it had already been in cinemas for two weeks,” he says.

“I really want to get the message out there that this is in cinemas, and I promise viewers that if they go to see it they won’t have a disappointing experience.”

• The Worthy is in cinemas from Thursday, February 23.

Check out our review in Thursday’s Arts & Life

cnewbould@thenational.ae

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Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes

Cheat’s nigiri 
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.

Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.

Deconstructed sushi salad platter 
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlmouneer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dr%20Noha%20Khater%20and%20Rania%20Kadry%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEgypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E120%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%2C%20with%20support%20from%20Insead%20and%20Egyptian%20government%2C%20seed%20round%20of%20%3Cbr%3E%243.6%20million%20led%20by%20Global%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

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Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl

Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm

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Transmission: 6-speed auto

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO

Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren

Favourite travel destination: Switzerland

Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers

Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum

Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
if you go

The flights

Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com

Seeing the games

Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com

 

Staying there

Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com

 

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Spare

Profile

Company name: Spare

Started: March 2018

Co-founders: Dalal Alrayes and Saurabh Shah

Based: UAE

Sector: FinTech

Investment: Own savings. Going for first round of fund-raising in March 2019