Al-Johara
Special Screening - Ajyal Film Festival 2019
Nora Al-Subai / Unknown / Qatar / 2016 / 26 min / Colour / Apple Pro Res 422 / In Arabic / English subtitles
Rated: Parental guidance is advised. Some material may be inappropriate for young children.
Synopsis
Made a servant in her own home by her evil stepfamily, Al-Johara receives a wedding invitation from an old childhood friend. With the help of a neighbour, an eccentric, traditional old woman—Al-Johara might be able to attend her very first wedding and finally be like her beautiful sisters. ‘Al-Johara’ is a Qatari take on the classic Cinderella fairytale accentuating Arabic traditions with a modern twist.
About the Director
Born and raised in France, Nora Al-Subai is a Qatari writer and director. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar with a degree in Computer Science. Her short film, ‘My Hero’ (2013), was named Best Short Film at the Ajyal Film Festival and appeared in the markets of the Festival de Cannes and the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. ‘Al-Johara’ premiered at Ajyal, where it received the Special Jury Award. It also made its way to Cannes and the Sarajevo Film Festival.
Credits
- Director
- Nora Al-Subai
- Screenwriter
- Nora Al-Subai
- Producer
- Rasha Mkachar
- Editor
- Abdul Jabbar Maki
- Music
- Najati Al Suloh
- Cinematographer
- Thomas Hines
- Production Company
- Doha Film Institute
- Cast
- Salwa Bakheet, Abrar Sabt, Hassan Saqr Hassan, Nada Ibrahim, Syrina Williams, Safa Moussa