Khuzama
QFF Spring 2017 - Development Stage
A.J. Al Johara Al Thani / Feature Narrative / Qatar / Original Language: Arabic / Interests: Drama, Fantasy
Synopsis
A young Bedouin woman Leila hides her female identity to survive in the harsh desert of Remal. Raised as the male heir Azzam to her father’s notorious tribe of Anter Ibn Adwan. She is sent on a mission with her father’s right-hand man, Bader, to save the Joharas—a group of the most beautiful women in the land and the only women that are not forced to serve, clean and abide by the men of the tribe. When one of the Joharas, Khuzama, is discovered to be behind the kidnapping, Anter orders Azzam to execute her. Leila refuses to execute Khuzama, who appears to know of Azzam’s true identity and her deep desire to find her mother at sea. Azzam claims Khuzama in front of the entire tribe as his wife and calls for a wedding at night. Bader spies on Leila and her father and discovers that Azzam’s a woman. At the wedding, Bader reveals Anter and Azzam’s lie and kills Anter to become the new leader of the Ibn Adwan tribe. Leila and Khuzama escape to pass the menacing and hostile No Woman’s Land to find her mother at sea with Bader breathing down their neck at every corner. All for the dream, to find a peaceful place where she can finally be whoever she wants to be.
Credits
- Director
- A.J. Al-Thani
- Producer
- A.J. Al-Thani
About the Director
A.J. Al-Thani is an award-winning Qatari filmmaker, television and commercial director. She graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Communications and a concentration in film. She began to pursue her dream of being a filmmaker with the launch of the Doha Film Institute (DFI). Her relationship with the Institute began in 2010 when she participated in one of its first film workshops, which opened the door for many local filmmakers to pursue their passion. For almost ten years, she has been developing her skills with the help of the Institute. A.J. has made two short films, ‘Kashta’ (2016), winner of the Made in Qatar Award in 2016 and ‘The Black Veil’ (2020), which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival. In 2021, A.J. founded Creative Nomads, a production company and space for artistic creations.
Contacts
-
Director
A.J. Al-Thani
- Company:
- Independent
- Phone:
- 7777 0078
- Email:
- ajalthani8@gmail.com
-
Director
A.J. Al Johara Al Thani
- Company:
- Creative Nomads
- Email:
- ajalthani8@gmail.com
-
Director
A.J. Al Thani
- Company:
- The Film House
- Email:
- Ajalthani8@gmail.com