A Commitment to Preserving Heritage Through Film

The Pearl Diver

The Pearl Diver is a moving period drama that brings the rich maritime heritage of the United Arab Emirates to life. Set between past and present, the film follows Rashid, a young Emirati man who discovers an old, water-stained journal among his late grandfather’s belongings. The journal, once owned by his grandfather—one of the region’s most respected pearl divers—contains cryptic entries and maps that spark Rashid’s curiosity. Determined to understand his roots, he embarks on a personal journey through the coastal villages of the Emirates, retracing his grandfather’s steps and diving into a world long submerged by time and modernity.

As Rashid explores the legacy of his ancestors, the film offers a layered narrative that weaves traditional pearl diving rituals, family honor, and generational wisdom into a visually rich cinematic experience. The story pays tribute to the hardships faced by pearl divers of the past—braving the sea with nothing but a nose clip, a weighted stone, and a deep lungful of air. Through Rashid’s journey, we witness not only the physical struggle of harvesting pearls but also the emotional burden of preserving a fading identity in a rapidly changing world.

Directed by Ahmed Al Nuaimi, a rising figure in Emirati cinema known for his deep connection to local storytelling, The Pearl Diver began shooting in 25′ April along the rugged coastline of Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi’s Al Bateen district. Using a mix of underwater cinematography and historically accurate set designs, the production aims to authentically capture the beauty and struggle of early 20th-century pearl diving life. Post-production is scheduled to begin in the fall at Khatt Al Saqr Studios, with a release planned for UAE National Day, making the film not only a personal story but a national celebration of heritage.

Border of Fire

A powerful new historical epic is taking shape under the working title “Border of Fire” (Hudood al-Nar), a feature film that promises to explore the intense loyalty, sacrifice, and inner conflict that defined the lives of tribes living along the borders of the Arabian Peninsula during the early 20th century. Set during a time of shifting alliances and colonial tension, the story follows Salem, a young tribal warrior torn between his duty to his people and his friendship with a foreign officer who once saved his life.

As political powers draw invisible lines in the desert, ancient codes of honor begin to clash with the emerging concept of statehood. Salem’s tribe finds itself caught in the middle of a dangerous power struggle between regional rulers and encroaching foreign interests. The story unfolds across vast desert landscapes, secret meetings in tented encampments, and the emotional battlefield within Salem’s heart—where trust and betrayal, peace and bloodshed, all burn at the edge of a fragile border.

Written by acclaimed Emirati screenwriter Rashed Al Marar, Border of Fire presents a fictionalized but emotionally grounded tale rooted in the real struggles of the Gulf’s formative years. With its focus on brotherhood, sovereignty, and sacrifice, the screenplay has already begun to attract attention for its depth and cultural authenticity.

The project is currently in early development, with Khatt Al Saqr Studios holding preliminary talks with the UAE Ministry of Culture to secure support for this ambitious national film. If greenlit, Border of Fire aims to become a landmark production that not only entertains but educates and inspires, offering a cinematic tribute to the values that shaped the modern Emirates.

Stay tuned for further announcements as the flame of this story begins to rise.