Private Project

Umah

A non-verbal film that explores the journey of the umah, a small sardine fish.

  • Shoayb Khattab
    Director
  • Shoayb Khattab
    Writer
  • Shoayb Khattab
    Producer
  • Majid Sarhaddi
    DOP
  • David Ibragimov
    DOP
  • Majid Sarhaddi
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 31, 2021
  • Country of Origin:
    United Arab Emirates
  • Country of Filming:
    United Arab Emirates
  • Language:
    No Dialogue
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Shoayb Khattab

Shoayb Khattab, a graduated architect with fascination for drawings and all kinds of photography, has transformed this art obsession and passion into a profession as a filmmaker and photographer. Umah is his first documentary short.

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Director Statement

As someone who spent the last 14 years in UAE, I became obsessed with a lot of what this country has from heritage, art and even architecture. One of the main things I was attracted to is the sea and marine life of UAE, especially at the eastern coasts of the country which is considered the richest among other emirates when it comes to marine life.

In 2012 I started a photography project of documenting the traditional fishing process and methods used among all emirates which gain a lot of attention at that time.

Since that time, I had this interest of visiting and documenting the whole fishing process and what goes behind it from the early stages until selling them in the fish market.

Umah (small sardine fish) is the story I have witnessed throughout the years, presented in a non-verbal format to immerse the viewer in the process of fishing.