Dubai the Movie
A recent Filipino film was shown here in UAE about Filipino expats in Dubai.
But before Filipinos start rushing in Dubai, there are some scenes in the film that need a lot of explaining:
1. The lead actor was shown to be living in a quite spacious flat, with one room reserved to his newly-arrived brother:
Fact: Rent in Dubai is at sky-high and still rising. If one person is to rent a flat with two bedrooms, boy, oh boy. you need more than 4,000 dirhams per month to get a decent flat in the downtown areas of Bur Dubai and Deira (forget about Jumeirah and the Al Barsha) unless our favorite lead character is living in Sharjah which is the emirate next to Dubai (ten minutes travel time plus at least 30 minutes for traffic and if you take the bus or take, add another at leastt 30 minutes).
Let us hear from the film's production outfit representative of courtesy of 7 Days):
".....the "delivery boy" is really supervisor of a courier service company who earns at least dhs3,500.
He lives in an old villa which he shares with other people who were no longer shown in the movie. As you know rents of old villa are much lower than rents of flats.
The lead character has been living in Dubai for nine years, therefore, he has bought some good things which are not very expensive considering that there are at least three seasons when sales discounts are the norm -- Shopping Festival, Summer Surprises, and Ramadan."
He lives in an old villa which he shares with other people who were no longer shown in the movie. As you know rents of old villa are much lower than rents of flats.
The lead character has been living in Dubai for nine years, therefore, he has bought some good things which are not very expensive considering that there are at least three seasons when sales discounts are the norm -- Shopping Festival, Summer Surprises, and Ramadan."
- Art Los Banos, ABS-CBN Middle East
If he is sharing it with other people, I think it was a mistake not showing it because it becomes misleading.
2. If one is taking a day-job and a car-lift sideline in the evening, one year is not enough to save money in immigrating to Canada. The car that is used is probably one that is rented (for 45 to 60 dirhams a day depending on the duration) and even if you earn 100 dirhams a night, waht about spending for your petrol-- 50 dirhams for about 39 -40 liters). You cannot even immediately drive on the streets of UAE unless you are from the US, Europe, Australia and the rest of the first world countries and the GCC. You have to apply for a UAE driving license after you get a Resident's visa.
3. The lead female character is working in Wonderland as a staff and yet can afford to live in a spacious flat with another? I don't think so, maybe more establishing scenes are again missed out for the sake of editing.
4. The lead character lived and slept under Maktoum bridge during his hardship-filled initial years(?)/months(?) in Dubai. Under the noses of the patrolling Dubai police around the creek?
I can go on with some more issues like absconding, the recent posts I written (How to lose a guy in 10 days and Dangerous Liaisons), visa change in Kish, the frigid care of the embassy, the warmth of Saint Mary's Church, inflation, taxis, harassment, etc. etc.
4. The lead character lived and slept under Maktoum bridge during his hardship-filled initial years(?)/months(?) in Dubai. Under the noses of the patrolling Dubai police around the creek?
I can go on with some more issues like absconding, the recent posts I written (How to lose a guy in 10 days and Dangerous Liaisons), visa change in Kish, the frigid care of the embassy, the warmth of Saint Mary's Church, inflation, taxis, harassment, etc. etc.
I'm quite disappointed with this film because I liked Milan last year, and it was made by the same director and outfit as it tackled head-on most of the issues of the expats and illegals in Italy.
Don't get me wrong again, Dubai (or Abu Dhabi) is a nice place to live in for the right people and professionals. I do pride in a fact that Filipinos have built quite a good reputation in the emirates, despite stereotypes.
Maybe this film can be saved and I just hope that the filmmakers clear up the misrepresentations especially for the audience back in the Philippines. They owe it most to the Filipinos, especially those contemplating of working abroad, in a place like Dubai.
Don't get me wrong again, Dubai (or Abu Dhabi) is a nice place to live in for the right people and professionals. I do pride in a fact that Filipinos have built quite a good reputation in the emirates, despite stereotypes.
Maybe this film can be saved and I just hope that the filmmakers clear up the misrepresentations especially for the audience back in the Philippines. They owe it most to the Filipinos, especially those contemplating of working abroad, in a place like Dubai.
posted by YelJay @ 1:22 PM
4 Comments:
I also read at jeff's blog about his general observations on the said movie.Like you, he saw these "unrealistic" set up.
I'm sure the director and the producers have a reason for this. I just hope they give a good explanation.
You opinion on this film is somewhat similar to one of my friend's.
I was supposed to watch this with my beautiful wife but had second thoughts upon reading commments. Better to tend your garden...accordingly. But hey! thier "acting" were quite impressive, so they say...
You're a movie critic now huh??? LOL!
Peace!
thanks for dropping by, duke, flexj!
except for the fraughts i've mentioned, the movie can be entertaining because of several dubai shots and flip expats here enjoyed the race of identifying the familiar dubai spots when flashed on screen! just don't raise your hopes up too much! after all, i still remain a strong believer in our local film industry and there is not enough filipino film that have foreign settings such as this one!
cheers :=)
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