Travelogue captures essence of UAE

Kamil Roxas, director of the UAE travelogue series that explores the seven emirates. Antonie Robertson / The National

Abu Dhabi // As the UAE celebrates its 42nd National Day, seven members are travelling across the seven emirates to document a travelogue series.

“It is an invitation to explore all the different emirates and experience it from the perspective and thoughts of individuals who enjoy taking that journey,” said Kamil Roxas, the project director.

The team from Hello Project Space have put together the film to showcase the country’s heritage and culture, with each episode introducing a different emirate.

“We start with researching and then travel to the place and scout the area. We speak to locals for information and many are kind enough to show us where we should film,” Roxas said.

The purpose of the project is to highlight locations around the emirates that are often forgotten.

“In our episodes the weather is always nice, there’s the oceans and the mountains, good people and good culture.

“When people watch it they are going to feel very comfortable, because that is exactly what the emirate is like,” he said.

Their first episode takes place in Fujairah. Titled Land and Sea, it captures local fishermen at work as well as a trip to the oldest mosque in the UAE that dates back 500 years.

“We always try to find something to highlight and not just feature the obvious,” Roxas said.

In the second episode, in Ras Al Khaimah, they visit the abandoned Al Hamra island, and tell the story of how the island has been left as it is for more than 40 years. The video also gives viewers a virtual tour of different and vibrant areas and people in the emirate

“The travelogue series is an invitation for people to explore the city they are in, away from the buzz of the city” Roxas said.

It involves a group of talented photographers, artists and filmmakers and narrators from the Philippines, Egypt and Germany. “It is good to see how this development started. We feel proud that we are adding something very positive to the discovery of many beautiful spots in the emirates that people should take time to visit,” Roxas said.

The final episode will be in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, where the team will capture its different attractions and the celebration of the 42nd National Day.

The series can be viewed by visiting www.vimeo.com/uaetravelogue.

For or more details about the project, visit www.uaetravelogue.com.

Kamil Roxas is a director and visual artist whose work includes documentaries, award-winning short films, photography and graphic design. Based in Dubai since 2007, Roxas was namd best director at the inaugural Middle East Film Festival for a short film.