Qatari Director Mohammed Al-Ibrahim on First Feature 'Sa3ood Wainah?'

It took Qatari director Mohammed Al-Ibrahim 15 years to make his first feature “Sa3ood Wainah?,” which, starting from its title, is a pretty unique film blending thriller, fantasy and magic realism elements, all imbued with a strong local flavor.

Billed as the first “commercial” film to come out of Qatar , “Sa3ood Wainah?” – the title translates as “Where is Saoud?” – launched from the inaugural Doha Film Festival this week, where it was cheered by the home crowd. It’s produced by Katara Studios which is keen on fostering filmmaking and content production in the minuscule gas-rich Gulf nation.

Set in a remote Qatari farmhouse, “Sa3ood Wainah?” turns on two brothers named Hamood and Sa3ood, who one night entertain their friends with a magic trick passed down by their late father.