Emirati turns Abu Dhabi home into museum celebrating his love for cinema


Nour Ibrahim
  • English
  • Arabic

Entering Ali Naser's home in Abu Dhabi will instantly transport visitors back in time, with rows and rows of videotapes, cassettes, magazines, and posters of movies from a bygone era donning the walls. Called the Video Club Museum, every corner reflects stories, characters and memories that shaped his love for cinema.

It has been Mr Naser's lifelong dream to put this collection together, one that preserves the history of cinema across borders and its influence on the UAE and its culture. There are titles from Bollywood, Hollywood and Arab cinema.

Mr Naser, affectionately known as “Bu Mayed”, takes The National on a trip down memory lane, and talks about how his passion project began. Today, at 56, he reflects on the legacy he is building. “In the world of cinema, there’s no beginning or end because it’s a world we live in, moving from one story to another,” he says.

Building on dreams

Mr Naser’s fascination with cinema began in his early 20s, during his days in the UAE military. Though he dreamt of opening a video shop or media production company back then, life had other plans, so he patiently went on collecting movies without any real plan in place.

Not until 2021 did he finally decide to put the museum together. The feat, he believes, would not have been possible without the support of his family.

The museum officially opened its doors to the public in February 2022, in the presence of pioneers in UAE media such as Dr Hamad Ali Al Hosani, along with his family and friends in attendance.

Mr Naser's extensive collection runs into the thousands. “I’ve lost count of how many films I have,” he says. “It's a mix of classics from Hollywood, Bollywood, Arab and regional cinema.”

Among his most prized possessions are rare VHS tapes of classic Arab and Indian cinema and a variety of Hollywood titles. “The first film I acquired, Life or Death, is closest to my heart,” he says, adding that it's this Egyptian classic that became the catalyst for his journey into cinema.

Ali Nasser holds the cherished copy of 'Life or Death' that inspired the creation of his Video Club Museum. Photo: Wajod Alkhamis / The National
Ali Nasser holds the cherished copy of 'Life or Death' that inspired the creation of his Video Club Museum. Photo: Wajod Alkhamis / The National

Creating memories of a lifetime

Mr Naser believes every visitor to the museum will find an emotional connection. He recalls how a woman was moved to tears on the opening day after she found the tape of a movie she had watched with her grandfather shortly before he passed away. "It’s both a sad and happy story,” he says, adding that it's his "goal" to "bring joy to people and help them escape from the stress of life".

Since the museum’s opening, around 600 to 800 people, including tourists from the Gulf and other Arab countries, have visited. “It isn't just cinema, each film is like a book with captivating chapters. When people come here, it’s like a certificate of honour for me and I consider each visitor my brother or sister."

Creating a world of cinema

Mr Naser admits it was challenging to curate the museum. "The amount invested in this place is significant, but the effort and time in preparing it far exceeds any financial cost.”

Organising each section required meticulous attention, from restoring old posters to cataloguing films and sourcing vintage items. “When I look at everything now, I think of the hours spent deciding where each piece should go, how to group them – by genre, by decade. It was exhausting but worth every second.”

Each section of the museum captures a slice of the past: vintage games that remind visitors of their childhoods, old magazines capturing past cultural moments, vinyl records and cassette tapes of favourite songs, and, of course, VHS tapes and DVDs that bring classic films to life.

“I have a section just for games from the good old days,” he says proudly, “and another for old magazines, vinyl records, and cassette tapes. Each area has its own spirit.”

For Mr Naser, every piece he acquires is part of a greater mission. “Searching for a film isn’t just about getting a tape or a movie for the club; it’s about showcasing exceptional items that draw people here.”

The museum has gained recognition as a unique cultural destination in the UAE, with Mr Naser calling it a part of the UAE’s cultural legacy that honours the visions of the nation’s leaders. With each visitor entering Mr Naser’s world of cinema, he believes a memory will be evoked that's truly special, while keeping his passion for cinema alive.

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Recycle Reuse Repurpose

New central waste facility on site at expo Dubai South area to  handle estimated 173 tonne of waste generated daily by millions of visitors

Recyclables such as plastic, paper, glass will be collected from bins on the expo site and taken to the new expo Central Waste Facility on site

Organic waste will be processed at the new onsite Central Waste Facility, treated and converted into compost to be re-used to green the expo area

Of 173 tonnes of waste daily, an estimated 39 per cent will be recyclables, 48 per cent  organic waste  and 13 per cent  general waste.

About 147 tonnes will be recycled and converted to new products at another existing facility in Ras Al Khor

Recycling at Ras Al Khor unit:

Plastic items to be converted to plastic bags and recycled

Paper pulp moulded products such as cup carriers, egg trays, seed pots, and food packaging trays

Glass waste into bowls, lights, candle holders, serving trays and coasters

Aim is for 85 per cent of waste from the site to be diverted from landfill 

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Biog

Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara

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2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business

 

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Tearful appearance

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Company info

Company name: Entrupy 

Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist

Based: New York, New York

Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.  

Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius. 

Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place. 

Updated: November 07, 2024, 7:42 AM`