My UAE: The screen dreams of Faisal Al Zaabi

A profile of the Emirati Faisal Al Zaabi, who is hoping to open the first independent cinema in Abu Dhabi.

Faisal Al Zaabi, 23, who is hoping to set up the first independent cinema in Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova / The National

Faisal Al Zaabi is a firm believer in following your dreams. After years of working towards a career in a field of little appeal to him, the 23-year-old is now on the path to achieving his goal – setting up an independent cinema.

He studied for three years at Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, before deciding that a career in finance was not for him.

“You’re brought up to think you’re a worker in society and you don’t do what you want to do, you do what other people want you to do,” he says. “Over time, I realised I could do whatever I wanted to do – I left Sorbonne. I spoke to my dad afterwards; he had encouraging words and suddenly realised I had a ­passion.”

Al Zaabi’s passion was film and theatre. He enrolled on a media course at Zayed University and, after networking, got a call from an Abu Dhabi theatre group that specialises in reviving and reworking old works, who wanted him to join them.

“I thought, seeing as I had a new fresh direction in life, I should be involved in as many things as ­possible.”

He acted in his first Resuscitation Theatre play, The Cocktail Party, in 2011, and has since gone on to produce and direct a number of shows.

“In 15 years, I want Resuscitation Theatre to be a statement of the culture scene in Abu Dhabi; for it to become part of the cultural footprint in the city, alongside the big stuff.”

While he continues to study, his goal is to set up an independent cinema, where fans can go without being distracted, and watch films that are free from locally imposed cuts.

“I’ve been working on this project for the past three months. It seems possible; it just needs a lot of help. It needs a lot of convincing and a lot of legwork and financiers. It seems there are enough people that actually care about cinema that want to go to this.”

What’s your favourite restaurant?

Samurai Sushi in the Tourist Club Area – it’s very good.

What is your dream job?

Curator of Abu Dhabi’s first independent cinema.

What do you do to relax?

I sit down and watch a nice film – usually an old film. I have a very unique taste in film – usually ones between the 1930s and 1950s; the gangster films with James Cagney. I like the atmosphere it creates.

Where do you like to travel?

I love London, but not because of the reasons that many Emiratis love London. I go to the museums; I go to the cinemas. I go for a proper cultural experience. My favourite museum is the Tate.

Favourite book?

That's a hard question. I read more graphic novels. I love the Batman graphic novels by DC [Comics] and my favourite writer is Alan Moore.

Favourite place in the UAE?

I like going to Kinokuniya in Dubai Mall. I go there every other month and stock up on comic books and graphic novels.

Do you enjoy listening to music?

I listen to all sorts of music. I specifically like one-hit wonders from the 1980s and 1990s. It’s fascinating how one person or band could put all their talent into one song and then fade away. My favourite bands are The Doors and Jamiroquai.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

I think advice is a little bit cliched. You can take anything you want from a particular day, and it can be advice. I have never heard something that has changed me or shaken me beyond: “Do what you want.”

Is there one item you cannot live without?

I can’t say there is a specific item I can’t live without. It can all go as far as I’m concerned – I could still “live” per se. I do have a huge DVD and Blu-ray films collection that I hold very dear though.

Favourite film?

A Clockwork Orange. I first saw it when I was about 17. When you evolve, your experience of watching it changes. It's never the same film you watched a year before.

Who is your role model?

Stephen Fry – he's amazing. I like his ability to adapt to everything he does. He has worked in almost every medium in entertainment. I like to watch his show QI.

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