Three Songs for Benazir is a beautiful and hopeful documentary short about life inside a camp for displaced people in Kabul.
Directed by Afghan filmmakers Gulistan and Elizabeth Mirzaei, who previously drew acclaim for their 2018 feature documentary Laila at the Bridge, their latest film tells the story of Shaista, a young man who is newly married to Benazir, and is trying to balance his responsibilities as a husband with his dreams of being the first member of his family to join the Afghan National Army.
Ever since it premiered at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, where it won the jury award, the 22-minute-long documentary has drawn international acclaim, appearing at numerous festivals across the globe. CNN called it an “unprecedented” look at life in Afghanistan, while the Odense International Film Festival jury insisted that it “should be seen and heard by the entire world", which it can be, as it's showing on Netflix, too.
Three Songs for Benazir has done so well that it’s now qualified for Academy Award consideration in the documentary short category in the Oscars 2022.
All of which makes its humble origin story even more remarkable. “The first time we saw Shaista, we’d just gone to the camp to distribute food,” explains Gulistan. He instantly felt a connection to Shaista. Not only because he’d previously been a refugee in Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation, but he also saw that Shaista was so different from the other people in the camp. “He had a lot of hope, a lot of dreams in his mind. There was something really dynamic about him that drew us to him,” continues Gulistan.
This was in 2009, but it was another four years before they actually started filming. During this period, with the camp only 20 minutes away from their home, Elizabeth and Gulistan continued to visit it regularly, becoming good friends with Shaista and pretty much everyone else who lived there.
“Ninety per cent of the camp knew us because we’d been going there for so long. Everyone was comfortable with us,” recalls Gulistan. “News crews would come for 10 to 15 minutes with their security teams usually. But because they felt very close to us, they allowed us to film.”
We want to film Afghanistan the way we have seen it with our eyes. It’s a way that we don’t often see on the other side of the camera
Elizabeth Mirzaei,
director
Then, in 2013, the idea of making a documentary began to percolate. Not only was there Shaista and Benazir’s love story, and their undeniable chemistry, but there was plenty of conflict, too, as his dream of joining the army was completely at odds with his family’s demands for him to work in the poppy fields.
While Shaista was a “natural” in front of the camera, according to Elizabeth, because of his “wonder, ambition, and curiosity”, it took some time for Benazir to adjust. “In the beginning, Benazir was a bit shy. Because she hadn’t been with a camera before and wasn’t super comfortable,” explains Gulistan. “But they came over to our house and we would see them many times over long periods.”
Between the beginning of 2013 and the end of 2015, Elizabeth and Gulistan visited the pair every month, filming them around their own freelance work. “We had no funding or budget of any kind. We used the money that we earned as freelancers to be able to shoot this film,” says Elizabeth. “We would go visit and film a bit, then we would go to other projects.”
During the winter periods, though, rather than shooting, they’d go to the camp without their cameras and simply help out, either by taking or preparing food with the Ministry Of Refugees.
As well as assisting on the ground, both Elizabeth and Gulistan are hopeful that Three Songs for Benazir will be able to make an impact on a more global scale. For Gulistan, as an Afghan director, he wanted to show the language and culture of his country in his own cinematic voice. As a result, he brings an authenticity to Three Songs for Benazir that’s often completely absent from foreign filmmakers that shoot in the region.
“Afghanistan is often framed in the media solely around war. We wanted to put the war on the edge of the story,” adds Elizabeth. “We wanted to make a film about people like Shaista and Benazir whose lives challenge the stereotypes and narratives that people have. We wanted to focus on this love story that you don't normally see. Because when you do live in proximity to war, you realise the fragility of life and how quickly something can be taken away. So these ordinary moments become really profound.”
Elizabeth and Gulistan finally stopped filming Shaista and Benazir at the end of 2019. After entering Three Songs for Benazir into films festivals throughout 2021, in December it was announced that Netflix had acquired it.
“It's been such a long journey,” says Elizabeth. “It’s amazing for us to have this kind of global audience. Because there were a lot of times we got really discouraged. We didn’t know if people would really get the film or the way we want to represent Afghanistan. We weren't sure if it was going to resonate with an American audience who have different expectations of films from this region.”
While they wait to see if Three Songs for Benazir’s journey will conclude with an Oscar nomination, or even a win, the pair are also currently working on their next set of films, which will once again show Afghanistan in the hopeful and inspiring light they know.
“We want to film Afghanistan the way we have seen it with our eyes. It’s a way that we don’t often see on the other side of the camera,” explains Elizabeth. “There's a lot of moments of humour and joy, outside of the wars, that we want to be able to share with people. We really just want to bring new insight to this world that hasn't been seen or heard before.”
Three Songs for Benazir is on Netflix now
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
'The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey'
Rating: 3/5
Directors: Ramin Bahrani, Debbie Allen, Hanelle Culpepper, Guillermo Navarro
Writers: Walter Mosley
Stars: Samuel L Jackson, Dominique Fishback, Walton Goggins
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Astra%20Tech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdallah%20Abu%20Sheikh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20technology%20investment%20and%20development%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)
Date started: August 2021
Founder: Nour Sabri
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace
Size: Two employees
Funding stage: Seed investment
Initial investment: $200,000
Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East)
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Opening Rugby Championship fixtures:Games can be watched on OSN Sports
Saturday: Australia v New Zealand, Sydney, 1pm (UAE)
Sunday: South Africa v Argentina, Port Elizabeth, 11pm (UAE)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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UFC%20FIGHT%20NIGHT%3A%20SAUDI%20ARABIA%20RESULTS
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
