Three

This is a captivating and gripping break-through Khaleeji (Arabian Gulf) film. It successfully and accurately depicts a stark reality of contemporary Gulf life, that of local populations living in 'modernity', but remaining stubbornly conservative and superstitious. This attachment to folklore, mysticism and dogmatic faith often gets in the way of truth and scientific understanding. The film does an excellent job of capturing the subtleties of khaleeji life, such as the pervasive gender bias, that includes social attitudes towards single mothers and particularly female khaleeji relationships with foreign men (Taboo!). Perhaps the spirit of rebuttal is best captured by the movie's strong leading female roles and being directed and produced by two prominent Emirati females!