Jefferson Hall in Emirati horror thriller Three. Photo: Cinema Akil
Jefferson Hall in Emirati horror thriller Three. Photo: Cinema Akil
Jefferson Hall in Emirati horror thriller Three. Photo: Cinema Akil
Jefferson Hall in Emirati horror thriller Three. Photo: Cinema Akil

Ten films to watch at Cinema Akil’s Arab Film Week in Dubai


Faisal Al Zaabi
  • English
  • Arabic

Arab Film Week returns to Cinema Akil for the fourth year from May 2 to 11.

This year, the programme celebrates people pursuing their dreams – whether for freedom, home, family, or self-discovery. The curated films explore themes of family, war, personal journeys and women's experiences.

Here are the 10 films screening at Arab Film Week 2025.

Three

Saud Alzarooni as Ahmed in Three. Photo: Nayla Al Khaja
Saud Alzarooni as Ahmed in Three. Photo: Nayla Al Khaja

Showing: May 2 at 7pm, May 7 at 9.30pm

Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja directs Three, a horror film about a demonic possession and the western man who has to step in to stop the evil. The film's stars include Jefferson Hall, who also appeared in House of the Dragon and Oppenheimer, and Saud Alzarooni.

Tell Them About Us

Showing: May 7 at 7pm, May 10 at 10pm

Tell Them About Us is directed by Jordanian filmmaker Rand Beiruty. Photo: Cinema Akil
Tell Them About Us is directed by Jordanian filmmaker Rand Beiruty. Photo: Cinema Akil

Jordanian filmmaker Rand Beiruty directs this documentary about a group of Arab, Kurdish and Roma teenage girls who come of age in a German provincial town. Confronting hidden discrimination and family expectations, they express their struggles and boldest dreams on camera.

The director followed the girls for four years, filming them as their relationships and friendships grew. Beiruty also traces their linguistic and cognitive growth as each girl strives to find purpose and belonging in her new community.

Sudan, Remember Us

Showing: May 4 at 4.30pm, May 6 at 7pm, May 9 at 10.15pm

Sudan, Remember Us is a powerful documentary about the perseverance of youth. Photo: Cinema Akil
Sudan, Remember Us is a powerful documentary about the perseverance of youth. Photo: Cinema Akil

Shajane, Maha, Muzamil and Khattab are Sudanese young people who engage with politics and express themselves creatively. Filmmaker Hind Meddeb follows them in this documentary as they exemplify their generation’s fight for freedom using their art.

Facing a corrupt army responsible for war crimes in Darfur, Kordofan and Blue Nile, they are sustained by a dream – fuelled by imagination and the power of poetic expression – that enabled them to topple the former regime.

My Memory Is Full Of Ghosts

Showing: May 2 at 9.15pm, May 8 at 7pm

My Memory is Full of Ghosts documents horrors in the Syrian city of Homs. Photo: Cinema Akil
My Memory is Full of Ghosts documents horrors in the Syrian city of Homs. Photo: Cinema Akil

Anas Zawahri’s film is a moving look at life in Homs, Syria, caught between the past, present and future. It shows a city and its people trying to return to normal after deep loss and destruction. The film is a powerful reminder of the pain of war and the strength people find to keep going.

Abo Zaabal 89

Showing: May 4 at 9.30pm, May 5 at 9.30pm, May 10 at 4.30pm

Abo Zaabal 89 chronicles director Bassam Mortada's family history. Photo: Cinema Akil
Abo Zaabal 89 chronicles director Bassam Mortada's family history. Photo: Cinema Akil

Bassam Mortada was just five when he first visited his father, Mahmoud, in the infamous Abo Zaabal prison in Egypt. Shaken by the police raid in which his father was captured, he became filled with resentment towards the authorities.

In this documentary, Mortada captures his journey to reconnect with his parents and uncover a path towards historical truth, emotional understanding and healing, as he pieces together how their political activism impacted their family.

Aicha

Showing: May 3 at 4.30pm, May 6 at 8.45pm, May 11 at 7pm

Tunisian film Aicha follows a young woman on the run. Photo: Cinema Akil
Tunisian film Aicha follows a young woman on the run. Photo: Cinema Akil

In Mehdi Barsaoui’s Aicha, Aya, a woman in her late twenties living with her parents in southern Tunisia, feels stuck in a life with no future. After surviving a car accident that kills everyone else on board, she sees an opportunity to start over. Escaping to the capital city under a new identity, her fresh start is quickly threatened when she becomes the key witness to a police mistake.

Saify

Showing: May 5 at 7pm, May 10 at 7pm

Saify is a comedy film from Saudi Arabia. Photo: Cinema Akil
Saify is a comedy film from Saudi Arabia. Photo: Cinema Akil

At 40, Saify Muhammed is a failed scammer who owes money to a lot of people, even to his ex-wife. It's the year 2000, and he owns a rundown music shop that sells cassette tapes, including banned Islamic sermons he wrongly believes will make him rich. Wael Abu Mansour directs this Saudi comedy about blackmail and the business of religion.

Mond (Moon)

Showing: May 3 at 9.30pm, May 11 at 4.30pm

In Mond (Moon), directed by Kurdwin Ayub, a former martial artist is hired to train three wealthy sisters in Jordan. Photo: Cinema Akil
In Mond (Moon), directed by Kurdwin Ayub, a former martial artist is hired to train three wealthy sisters in Jordan. Photo: Cinema Akil

Kurdwin Ayub directs Mond, a film about a former martial artist who accepts what seems like a dream job – training three wealthy sisters in Jordan – but things quickly turn sour because the young women are constantly watched and have no real interest in learning the sport.

Arze

Showing: May 3 at 7pm, May 8 at 9.15pm, May 11 at 10pm

Arze follows a Lebanese mother and her son as they navigate Beirut life. Photo: Cinema Akil
Arze follows a Lebanese mother and her son as they navigate Beirut life. Photo: Cinema Akil

Lebanese comedy-drama Arze, directed by Mira Shaib, is about a single mother who is determined to buy her son a scooter so he can help her deliver the pies she bakes. To make it happen, she steals and pawns her sister's bracelet for a down payment. But when the scooter gets stolen, the mother takes charge, pulling her unwilling son across Beirut to track it down.

The Village Next to Paradise

Showing: May 4 at 6.45pm, May 9 at 7pm

Somali film The Village Next to Paradise has a cast of first-time actors. Photo: Cinema Akil
Somali film The Village Next to Paradise has a cast of first-time actors. Photo: Cinema Akil

Mo Harawe’s The Village Next to Paradise follows a newly blended family as they navigate the ups and downs of modern life, balancing personal dreams with everyday struggles. US drones constantly fly above them in their rural Somali village as they struggle to survive amid poverty. Shot entirely in Somalia, the film boasts a cast of first-time actors.

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
While you're here
F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

GROUPS AND FIXTURES

Group A
UAE, Italy, Japan, Spain

Group B
Egypt, Iran, Mexico, Russia

Tuesday
4.15pm
: Italy v Japan
5.30pm: Spain v UAE
6.45pm: Egypt v Russia
8pm: Iran v Mexico

Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

MATCH INFO

Crawley Town 3 (Tsaroulla 50', Nadesan 53', Tunnicliffe 70')

Leeds United 0 

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

The specs: McLaren 600LT

Price, base: Dh914,000

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm

Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm

Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km

Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

Global Fungi Facts

• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How has net migration to UK changed?

The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.

It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.

The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.

The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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

Scoreline

Syria 1-1 Australia

Syria Al Somah 85'

Australia Kruse 40'

Total eligible population

About 57.5 million people
51.1 million received a jab
6.4 million have not

Where are the unvaccinated?

England 11%
Scotland 9%
Wales 10%
Northern Ireland 14% 

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.6-litre%2C%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeight-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E285hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E353Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh159%2C900%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Rainbow

Kesha

(Kemosabe)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed

Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.

Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.

The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.

One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.

That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.

SPECS
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20750hp%20at%207%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20800Nm%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%207%20Speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20332kph%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012.2L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYear%20end%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1%2C430%2C000%20(coupe)%3B%20From%20Dh1%2C566%2C000%20(Spider)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Copa del Rey

Barcelona v Real Madrid
Semi-final, first leg
Wednesday (midnight UAE)

Nepotism is the name of the game

Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad. 

MATCH INFO

Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
 
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
UAE v Oman - abandoned
Oman v Namibia - abandoned

The smuggler

Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple. 
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.

Khouli conviction

Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.

For sale

A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.

- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico

- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000

- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950

Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

Updated: May 02, 2025, 10:02 AM`