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Khaleej Times
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
UAE film 'Mountain Boy' raises autism awareness through Emirati storytelling
Mountain Boy, an Emirati movie based on a young boy with autism, is making waves in theatres across the UAE for blending cultural richness, emotional depth, and social relevance. Backed by the Abu Dhabi Film Commission and produced by Desert Rose Films in collaboration with Fujairah Films, this poignant feature debuted in cinemas across the UAE and GCC on April 17. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Fujairah mountains and the tranquil landscapes of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, Mountain Boy follows the moving journey of Suhail, a young Emirati boy with autism who flees his home in search of acceptance and family. Inspired by the novel The boy who knew the mountains by Dr Michele Ziolkowski, the film is a beautifully layered narrative about identity, resilience, and the unspoken power of community. Already decorated with 22 international awards and filmed entirely within the UAE, Mountain Boy is more than a cinematic achievement — it is a heartfelt tribute to the UAE's people, places, and evolving creative spirit. What makes Mountain Boy truly extraordinary isn't just its touching story or breathtaking visuals — it's the powerful female force behind it. This landmark film is the collective vision of four remarkable women, each bringing their truths, challenges, and passions into the process. Mothers rise to the occasion Dr Michele Ziolkowski, archaeologist, author, and mother to Suhail — the real-life inspiration of Mountain Boy — first gave life to this narrative in her children's book The boy who knew the mountains. Her son, who found peace and clarity in nature, especially the Fujairah mountains, inspired a fictional world that mirrored his own. Crucially, Michele insisted the role of Suhail be played by a child on the autism spectrum. 'Autism varies greatly from person to person. Our goal was to portray it with nuance, truth, and love. I hope this story teaches audiences that a little kindness and understanding can create a more inclusive world.' Nancy Paton, producer, writer, and founder of Desert Rose Films, transformed Michele's book into the screenplay and soul of Mountain Boy. For Nancy, this project wasn't just professional — it was profoundly personal. 'For a long time, I didn't talk about my son's autism. We supported him as a family, quietly, adapting to his sensitivities — loud noises, routines, textures. But when I heard the book being read aloud and saw kids reacting the same way my son did, I cried. I realised I wanted people to understand his kind of autism — ASD-1, high IQ, deeply perceptive,' Nancy says. The film became a journey of acceptance. It led Nancy to pursue an official diagnosis at Aviv Clinics in Dubai, where she gained insight into her son's needs and strengths. 'This film helped me find my voice as a mother. It helped me tell his story, and, in turn, mine.' Hind Almessabi, the mother of Naser Salah, the autistic boy who plays the film's lead, was understandably hesitant at first. 'At the audition, Naser performed the role so naturally that Nancy immediately said, 'he's the one.' I was worried about the filming process, but they reassured me with a support plan, including a behavioural therapist and family presence on set.' Nancy's creative philosophy shaped the film's production: 'We didn't want Naser to 'act', we wanted him to be. There was always a balance. We'd explain what we hoped to capture, but then we'd follow his lead. It wasn't about moulding him to fit the film — it was about letting the film fit him.' Filming wasn't without its challenges. 'Naser has trouble with speech and unfamiliar environments. But the team was incredibly accommodating. His sister even acted alongside him to keep him comfortable. Scenes were adjusted to protect him, and the crew was loving and patient throughout.' For director Zainab Shaheen, Mountain Boy marked her first feature — but one that demanded empathy, sensitivity, and deep listening. 'The story moved me instantly. It wasn't just a script — it was a living truth,' Zainab says. 'I prepared by listening — really listening — to the families, especially to those who live with autism every day. That shaped everything.' To capture Naser's sensory experience, Zainab relied heavily on sound and visual storytelling. 'We crafted soundscapes to mirror how overwhelming the world can be. Visually, we focused on textures, light, the small things Suhail would notice. We wanted the audience to feel what he feels.' Working with Nancy, Michele, and Naser's family was a profound experience. 'It wasn't just about telling a story about them. It was about telling it with them. That collaboration brought so much honesty and depth.' An all-women production team With a 70 per cent female crew and 32 Emiratis among the cast and crew, Mountain Boy stands as a beacon of gender equity in film. 'I wanted a woman director,' Nancy emphasises. 'Michele started this as a mother, I continued it as a mother, and I wanted a woman to complete it. We needed a nurturing eye — one that could hold the emotional weight of the story. And Zainab delivered.' Beyond creative goals, Nancy wanted to break barriers in an industry that still doesn't fully represent women. 'We need more women telling stories, holding cameras, leading teams. Inclusion should be behind the camera too.' International glory Mountain Boy has already captivated audiences worldwide, earning acclaim across 38 international film festivals and collecting 22 prestigious awards. Highlights include Best Young Actor and Best Cinematography at the Chelsea Film Festival in New York, Best Feature Film at both the San Luis Obispo and Seattle Children's Festivals, and Best Director at the Touchstone Independent Film Festival in the US. Its UAE premieres were equally unforgettable. In Cinema City Abu Dhabi, Naser was celebrated with a Best Young Actor award. And in a landmark moment at Real Cinemas, Dubai Mall, Mountain Boy made history as the first autism-themed film to be screened at the region's only autism-certified cinema. 'Having Naser, Suhail, and students from the Rising Sun Centre for Special Needs all together — that was the dream. And my rescue dog, Lassie, who stars in the film, even walked the red carpet. It brought a message of inclusion — from humans to animals,' says Nancy. 'Suhail wasn't fond of the red carpet — it was loud and overwhelming. But when the film started, he lit up and loved every moment of it,' Michele says. 'Hearing Naser speak Suhail's words was unforgettable. This story came full circle. Suhail even has a cameo with his father, Sheikh Suhail bin Abdullah Al Sharqi, in the film.' For Hind, the message of Mountain Boy is clear: 'Children with autism deserve to be part of the community. They have unique strengths. All they need is understanding and support. This film proves they can do incredible things.'
Broadcast Pro
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Emirati film ‘Mountain Boy' to hit UAE and GCC cinemas on April 17
The story for Mountain Boy is based on the 2017 children's book 'The Boy Who Knew the Mountains', written by Emirati-Australian author Michele Ziolkowski. Emirati feature film, Mountain Boy, directed by Zainab Shaheen, is set to release in cinemas across the UAE and GCC on April 17, 2025. The film is a collaboration between Desert Rose Films and Fujairah Films and is supported by the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, part of the Creative Media Authority. Distribution is being handled by The Plot Pictures. Timed to coincide with World Autism Month, Mountain Boy held its exclusive premiere on April 15 at CinemaCity, Al Qana in Abu Dhabi. The event welcomed the full cast and crew, alongside children and staff from the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Special Education, where the film's casting team discovered Naser Salah—one of the film's standout young talents. The film is produced by Desert Rose Films, a female-focused production company in Abu Dhabi. Zainab Shaheen, making her directorial debut, demonstrates her commitment to empowering Emirati voices by authentically portraying local narratives. With a diverse repertoire of short films, Shaheen showcases her versatility in storytelling, emphasising her international reach and proficiency in game development, social media and digital filmmaking through collaboration with The British Council. Mountain Boy is an adaptation of the internationally acclaimed Emirati children's book, The Boy Who Knew the Mountains, by Dr Michele Ziolkowski, shedding light on neurodiversity. The film unfolds the extraordinary tale of Suhail, a young Emirati boy with Autism, challenging societal norms on a transformative journey through the mesmerising mountains of Fujairah, accompanied by his loyal companion, Barakah, the Arabian Saluki dog. Beyond its narrative, Mountain Boy carries a profound message of inclusion, celebrating the diversity of the human experience and encouraging audiences to embrace the unique strengths of the neurodiverse community. The film's mostly female production team mentored Emirati and Gulf Women Filmmakers, contributing to the development of the national skilled crew base. The film is supported by Abu Dhabi Film Commission, part of Creative Media Authority, under its film rebate initiative, which was launched in 2013 and revamped from 1st January this year to offer between 35% and 50% rebate support for projects which meets a clear set of criteria. Mohamed Dobay, Acting Director-General of Creative Media Authority, said: 'As part of our ongoing work to establish a world-class creative ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, identifying and championing projects which involve Emirati narratives, shot in the UAE, using talented Emirati cast and crew – it is a lynchpin of our efforts. We are very proud to be able to support a production like Mountain Boy, which showcases so much rich Emirati culture and heritage whilst shining a light and challenging perceptions around autism – rightfully winning many global accolades in doing so.' Nancy Paton, CEO and Founder of Desert Rose Films, added: 'More than 232 crew were involved with this project, where 70% of the crew were female. It was incredibly important to us to remain true to the premise of Michele Ziolkowski's poignant original narrative, using as many Emirati actors and crew as possible. We held several castings to find the right actor for Suhail and had nearly given up hope until Naser Salah and his sister Reem auditioned – we knew instantly we had found our leads. For the soundtrack of the film we used the all-female Firdaus Orchestra who all live in the UAE and were founded by Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation.' Zainab Shaheen, Director of Mountain Boy, and a graduate Higher Colleges of Technology, stated: 'As my feature film directorial debut, I am extremely proud to direct a project which showcases so much of our nation – from the locations and talent to the compelling narrative and social commentary. To be able to tell such a powerful and meaningful story in a visually impactful way is what has always spurred on and inspired my passion for film and directing. It is something which will remain close to my heart throughout my career.' Pratixa Shah, Co-Founder of The Plot Pictures, commented: 'As young, next-generation distributors, our mission is to bring regional (GCC) stories to the world. Mountain Boy is a testament to this vision – blending regional essence, rich storytelling, and cultural heritage while shedding light on the deeply important theme of neurodiversity and the unique sensitivities of individuals on the spectrum. We are proud to be the catalyst in connecting this powerful story with its audience.'
Al Etihad
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Supported by Abu Dhabi Film Commission, Emirati film Mountain Boy to debut in GCC cinemas promoting local talent and autism awareness
8 Apr 2025 14:18 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Supported by Abu Dhabi Film Commission, part of Creative Media Authority, the Desert Rose Films and Fujairah Films collaboration on the feature film Mountain Boy will be released at cinemas across the UAE and GCC on April 17, 2025 by The Plot Pictures. Aligned with the occasion of World Autism Month which happens annually in April, the film will have its first exclusive premiere at CinemaCity, Al Qana, Abu Dhabi on April 15 with full cast and crew attendance along with children and staff from the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Special Education in Abu Dhabi - the location at which the casting team discovered Naser Salah. The feature film tells the tale of Suhail, a young Emirati boy with autism who, flees to live in the Fujairah Mountains after his father shuns him, not understanding his 32 Emirati cast and crew members including director Zainab Shaheen of Fujairah Films, co-writer Raihana Al Hashimi and lead actor Naser Salah who plays the part of Suhail and is autistic, the project, which is based on the book from called The Boy Who Knew The Mountains from naturalised Emirati citizen and author Michele Ziolkowski, is supported by Abu Dhabi Film Commission, part of Creative Media Authority, under its film rebate initiative which was launched in 2013 and revamped from January 1 this year to offer between 35 percent and 50 percent rebate support for projects which meets a clear set of to find his mother's family in Abu Dhabi, Suhail makes the epic journey, with his new friend Barakah, an Arabian Saluki, to find acceptance, family, and redemption, making Mountain Boy is a true testament to the power and importance of community, in line with the objectives of the UAE's Year of Community Director General of Creative Media Authority, Mohamed Dobay, said, 'As part of our ongoing work to establish a world-class creative ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, identifying and championing projects which involve Emirati narratives, shot in the UAE, using talented Emirati cast and crew - it is a lynchpin of our efforts. We are very proud to be able to support a production like Mountain Boy which showcases so much rich Emirati culture and heritage whilst shining a light and challenging perceptions around autism – rightfully winning many global accolades in doing so.'Shot solely in the UAE, at locations including Samaliyah Island and the mangroves of Abu Dhabi, Dibba Mountain in Fujairah and Telal Hotel in Al Ain, Mountain Boy is a testament to Emirati culture, heritage and talent with more than 32 UAE-based companies involved in the making of the feature which was shot over 35 days in and Founder of Desert Rose Films, Nancy Paton, said, 'More than 232 crew were involved with this project, where 70 percent of the crew was female. It was incredibly important to us to remain true to the premise of Michele Ziolkowski's poignant original narrative, using as many Emirati actors and crew as possible. We held several castings to find the right actor for Suhail and had nearly given up hope until Naser Salah and his sister Reem auditioned – we knew instantly we found our leads. For the soundtrack of the film we used the all-female Firdaus Orchestra who all live in the UAE and were founded by Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, the Minister of State for International Cooperation of the UAE.'Director of Mountain Boy, and a graduate Higher Colleges of Technology, Zainab Shaheen, said, 'As my feature film directorial debut, I am extremely proud to direct a project which showcases so much of our nation - from the locations and talent to the compelling narrative and social commentary. To be able to tell such a powerful and meaningful story in a visually impactful way is what has always spurred on and inspired my passion for film and directing. It is something which will remain close to my heart throughout my career.'Since wrapping, writer, producer, and founder of Desert Rose Films, Nancy Paton and Director, Zainab Shaheen have completed a global tour; submitting the film to 38 festivals and scooping 22 awards including Best Young Actor in a Feature Film and Best Cinematography at Chelsea film Festival in New York City, Best Director at Touchstone Independent Film Festival, US; Best Young Actor in a Feature Film at Five Continents International Film Festival, Venezuela; Best Feature Film at Seattle Children's Festival; Best Feature Film at San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, USA and Best Narrative for Feature Film at ORION IFF International Film Festival, of The Plot Pictures, Pratixa Shah, said, 'As young, next-generation distributors, our mission is to bring regional (GCC) stories to the world. Mountain Boy is a testament to this vision - blending regional essence, rich storytelling, and cultural heritage while shedding light on the deeply important theme of neurodiversity and the unique sensitivities of individuals on the spectrum. We are proud to be the catalyst in connecting this powerful story with its audience.' Mountain Boy is one of 180 major productions that have been supported by Abu Dhabi Film Commission in recent years, benefiting from the diversity of its locations, pool of talented professionals, award-winning facilities and cashback rebate.
