Acting
"The film raises profound questions about the social fate of children born out of wedlock, highlighting the emotional and psychological struggles they face amid family and societal pressures. Framed as a tragic drama, it delves into inner conflicts, confrontations, and the painful consequences of deeply rooted prejudice."
Ashjar La Tamoot (Trees Do Not Die) is a theatrical drama originally written by acclaimed playwright Mahmoud Diab. The first production was staged in 1991 under the direction of Mohsen Mohamed. In 1998, the play was revived with a new interpretation by director Abdullah bin London, featuring a fresh cast that included Mohammed Al-Saadi and Ashwaq. The story metaphorically compares human perseverance to trees that never die, addressing themes of resilience, moral struggle, and the timeless strength of values against adversity.
A young Emirati lady is in desperate need, and asks her estranged father to help her, which causes ripples in the family, especially with her father's new wife. A spell is cast through a mutual party who goes to a shaman, to harm our heroin. She is under a lot of stress and starts going insane. She feels that she is haunted by demons and starts to see them everywhere. Her family puts her in a hospital to help with her condition, but the demons are getting stronger and more pervasive. The rest of her family starts to feel the demons' presence and decides to try to reverse the spell, which works, but is too late for our heroin, she sees them in her dreams and feels as though they are taking over her body.
Set in a coastal Emirati village during the 1950s, the film follows a fisherman named Juma who strives to fulfill his late wife's wish of educating their two sons—particularly Rashid, who dreams of a wealthy life. This creates a conflict between tradition and personal ambition amid subtle social transformations.
Freej 10 Stars is a short comedic TV mini-series set in a lively Emirati neighborhood. Starring Jamal Al-Sumaiti, Abdullah Al-Bahti, Hassan Al-Tamimi, Omar Taher, Ashwaq, and Haifa Al-Ali, the show, written by Talal Mahmoud and directed by Mohammed Al-Saadi, presents humorous stories that spotlight local characters and cultural quirks in a warm, familiar setting.
