Brazilian actress Sabrina Petraglia bridges cultures through film
For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @arabnews.lifestyle
Since moving to Dubai in January 2023 with her husband and three children, Petraglia has embraced the region's culture and is making inroads in her attempt to forge cross cultural understanding.
'I never imagined loving the Middle East this much. Whatever I had imagined about the Middle East was totally wrong. The life here is incredible, safe, so beautiful. I like the mentality here. I feel that here your dreams are possible if you work hard,' she told Arab News.
Petraglia created her latest project, 'Ocean of Mothers,' in Dubai in January, in a move that she says was the first time a Brazilian production hit the silver screen in the UAE.
The film follows three friends — Thais, Erika and Zilda — who connect through motherhood in Santos, Brazil. Despite their busy lives, their friendship becomes a source of strength and support. The film touches on themes like losing one's identity as a mother, feeling overwhelmed, mental health struggles, and the importance of having a support network.
A post shared by Sabrina Petraglia (@sabrinapetraglia)
'We started by booking a room for 60 people,' she said, then the number of guests kept increasing until it reached around 400 guests. 'When I saw the cinema full of people and a lot of women from different nationalities, I cried. I could not believe it,' she said.
'I saw a lot of support from women here, because the film is about women. It was so precious for me,' she added.
A post shared by Sabrina Petraglia (@sabrinapetraglia)
Petraglia is keen to foster collaboration between Brazilian and Arab artists.
'This is one big dream of mine to work with Saudi filmmakers and show Brazilian culture here and sharing Middle Eastern stories with Brazilians also,' she explained.
'Here, I can see big opportunities, and I'd like to show not just to Brazilians, but to the world, what it's like here. The cinema is the best way to do this,' she said.
Inspired by her interactions with women in the UAE, Petraglia said she is working on new projects that challenge stereotypes about motherhood and female empowerment.
'For now, it is all only on paper, but I am looking for good partners in Brazil. I am speaking to big channels in Brazil,' she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
15 hours ago
- Arab News
Where we're going today: Mellow Nail Artistry
Perfect nails are an essential accessory for the modern woman. With so many great nail bars across Riyadh, Mellow Nail Artistry is emerging as a go-to for new styles. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Mellow offers a range of Instagram-worthy nail art. A wide selection of mermaid-themed, animal print, floral and ombre polish varieties is available. From our experience, their technicians are excellent at creating different designs, from textured nails to chrome and cat-eye gel. Prices are added on based on the time it takes to complete the design, ranging from SR60 ($16) for 15 minutes to SR180 for an hour. While it may be considered pricey, the results are worth it. Their classic manicures and pedicures always start off with a warm soak, a scrub to remove any dead skin, filing and shaping of the nails, cuticle cleaning, and a moisturizer to prep the nails just before the polish is applied. If you're in a hurry, their Quick Fix service is a fast (and cheap) option to give your nails a little pick-me-up, which includes filing and cutting nails and an application of a regular polish. You can also opt for Shellac polish, which lasts longer, for an extra charge. Their all-female, lively staff are particularly inviting, making you feel right at home. The space is also extremely relaxing with a luxurious feel, featuring an Ottoman bath-inspired central fountain, sage accents, and lush greenery. While you're getting your service done, you can sip on some coffee, tea, or a refreshing iced hibiscus herbal infusion.
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Al Arabiya
Palestine to be represented at Miss Universe pageant for the first time
Palestine will take part in the Miss Universe pageant for the first time this year, with the representing contestant saying she is stepping onto the global stage to highlight the strength and resilience of her people. Nadine Ayoub, 27, is a certified health and nutrition coach who was crowned Miss Palestine in 2022 and will become the first-ever Palestinian representative at Miss Universe in November 2025. Ayoub was raised across Canada, the United States, and the West Bank and is now based between Dubai and Ramallah. 'I am honored to announce that for the first time ever, Palestine will be represented at Miss Universe,' the contestant said on her official Instagram account. 'Today, I step onto the Miss Universe stage not just with a title – but with a truth,' she added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nadeen Ayoub (@ 'As Palestine endures heartbreak – especially in Gaza – I carry the voice of a people who refuse to be silenced.' Ayoub said her participation is about more than personal recognition. 'I represent every Palestinian woman and child whose strength the world needs to see,' she said. 'We are more than our suffering – we are resilience, hope, and the heartbeat of a homeland that lives on through us.' The Miss Universe competition, one of the most widely watched international beauty pageants, brings together contestants from more than 80 countries. Palestine's debut adds a symbolic layer to the event, as the conflict in Gaza continues to draw global concern and as many countries stepped up and announced their plans to recognize a Palestinian state. The pageant has long been viewed as a platform where contestants not only showcase beauty and talent but also use their voices to advocate for important causes and represent their national identity.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
Exploring food, faith and culture at Museum of Islamic Art's ‘A Seat at the Table' exhibition
DUBAI: The Museum of Islamic Art's new exhibition, 'A Seat at the Table: Food and Feasting in the Islamic World,' developed in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, explores how food connects people across cultures and faiths. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Organized into five thematic sections, the Doha exhibition examines different aspects of culinary traditions in Islamic culture, from preparation and presentation to their role in rituals, celebrations and daily life. A post shared by Qatar Creates (@qatarcreates) On display are over 100 items from the Museum of Islamic Art's collection, along with select loans from other Qatar Museums institutions and the Qatar National Library. These include lavish serving vessels, cooking tools, manuscripts, ceramics and textiles. 'The original idea for the exhibition came from LACMA, which Qatar Museums has an official partnership with,' Tara Desjardins, senior curator of decorative arts and design at Lusail Museum, said recently. 'Their senior curator of Islamic art, Linda Komaroff, was already preparing an exhibition called 'Dining with the Sultan' (2023) that she wanted MIA to collaborate on and/or host as a potential venue.' 'However, when we began discussions in 2020, it became apparent that we needed to have a different storyline to hers, one that spoke to our local audience and promoted our rich collections here in Qatar,' she added. Desjardins explained that food offers a unique lens through which to understand shared traditions across the Islamic world. 'Food is a universal topic that has the power to cross boundaries and unite cultures and communities,' she said. 'Despite this breadth and diversity, fundamental practices and beliefs rooted in religious traditions connect all Muslims, irrespective of location or culture.' The exhibition includes videos of chefs preparing dishes. 'The contemporary chefs intend to bring a real-life aspect to the exhibition and to highlight the importance of chefs,' Desjardins said. While researching, she was struck by common threads. 'What was perhaps more surprising is how similar culinary traditions are, and how easily ingredients, dishes, and gastronomy have travelled through time and space,' she said.
