NAVIGATION

Synopsis

Suhail (Naser Al Messabi), a young Emirati boy with Autism, flees to live in the Fujairah mountains after his father shuns him, not understanding his determination. Pinned with the confusing sadness that his mother died in childbirth with him, Suhail’s perspective of the world is more nuanced – he is at one with nature, understands empathy, and has a kindness that infiltrates those who engage with him. Adamant 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.

سهيل؛ فتى مصاب بالتوحد، إلا أن والده لطالما تجنبه كونه لا يفهم حالته الاستثنائية، لذلك قرر سهيل الهرب من منزل والده والعيش في الجبال. 
منذ أن توفت والدته يوم ولادته، فإن سهيل أصبح يحمل حزناً كبيراً في أعماقه، إلا أنه بات 
يمتلك نظرة أكثر دقة وعمق لهذا العالم، ومتحداً وأكثر شغفاً بالطبيعة
سهيل فتى متعاطف ولطيف إلى أبعد الحدود، ولديه قبول اجتماعي يجعله يحظى بحب كل من يعرفونه ويتعاملون معه
جعل سهيل هدفه الرئيسي العثور على عائلة والدته، ولهذا الغرض فإنه انطلق في رحلة أسطورية برفقة صديقه الجديد براكه، السلوقي العربي، بحثاُ عن القبول، والعائلة، والخلاص

Credits

Suhail – Naser Al Messabi
Suhail’s Grandfather – Ahmed Al Jasmi
Abdullah – Belal Abdullah
Muhammad – Saeed Almesmari
Mansour – Ahmad Abdulrazzak

Inspired by the children’s book series The Boy who knew the Mountains by Dr Michele Ziolkowski.

Director – Zainab Shaheen
Author – Michele Ziolkowski
Producer / Screenwriter – Nancy Paton
Screenwriter – Raihana AlHashmi
Producer – Meredith Brett
Director of Photography – Denson Baker ACS, NZCS
Production Designer – Pranali Diwadkar
Editor – Fakhreddine Amri
Composer – Suad Bushnaq
Soundtrack – Firdaus Orchestra

Director's Statement

When I read the book THE BOY WHO KNEW THE MOUNTAINS and met with writer/producer Nancy Paton, I was inspired by the idea of portraying the journey of an autistic boy. It was an opportunity to weave a narrative that not only entertains but also fosters understanding and empathy. The story is also a big step for the UAE’s film industry, as well as the autistic community.

My initial vision for MOUNTAIN BOY was to create a film that seamlessly blends a heartwarming family story with the breathtaking landscapes of the UAE, especially the enchanting beauty of Fujairah and Abu Dhabi. I wanted the visual elements to complement and enhance the emotional depth of the narrative, providing audiences with a unique cinematic experience.

While adapting MOUNTAIN BOY for the screen, I engaged in insightful conversations with the book’s author, Michele Ziolkowski. She pointed out cultural concerns from the book that we, as locals, normalize. For me, this was a moment of realization that our culture carries a lot of special meanings.

I would like MOUNTAIN BOY viewers to take away the power of understanding, empathy and unconditional love and acceptance of others. The story fosters a greater appreciation for the diversity of human experiences, especially those individuals with autism.

FILM FESTIVALS/SCREENINGS

Next Stop...

European Film Market
Berlin, Germany
Thu, Feb 13, 2025 – Wed, Feb 19, 2025

Awards Won

WINNER
BEST YOUNG ACTOR
Chelsea Film Festival

WINNER
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Chelsea Film Festival

WINNER
BEST FEATURE FILM
Children's Film Festival Seattle

WINNER
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE
San Luis Obispo International Film Festival

WINNER
Tokyo International Short Film Festival

WINNER
BEST DIRECTOR
Touchstone Independent Film Festival

WINNER
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
All-Inclusive Film International Network

WINNER
Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival

WINNER
BEST YOUNG ACTOR
Five Continents International Film Festival

WINNER
SPECIAL MENTION DIRECTOR
Five Continents International Film Festival

WINNER
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Five Continents International Film Festival

WINNER
BEST PRODUCTION
Five Continents International Film Festival

WINNER
BEST FEATURE FILM
International Thai Film Festival

WINNER
BEST FEATURE FILM
Animalis Fabula Film Festival

WINNER
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Al Ain Film Festival

QUARTER FINALIST
Sofia Menar Film Festival

FINALIST
FIRST TIME FILMMAKER International Thai Film Festival

HONORABLE MENTION Festival de Cine Antigua

Official Selections

OKO International Ethnographic Film Festival

Filem'On - International Film Festival for Young Audiences

Coronado Island Film Festival

Colortape International Film Festival

Rome Prisma Film Awards

Beirut International Children and Family Film Festival

International Sound & Film Music Festival

Faith in Film

Universal Kids Film Festival

Oran International Arab Film Festival

Africa Film Trinidad + Tobago

Barcelona Indie Awards

Beloit International Film Festival

Gulf Cinema Festival

Winnipeg Real to Reel Film Festival

Anthology Film Festival

T.I.F.A - Tietê International Film Awards

Universal Kids Family Festival

PRESS

UAE film "Mountain Boy" shines light on neurodiversity

CNN

"Through Naser's journey as an actor, and Suhail's journey across the country, 'Mountain Boy' shows us that there is a place of belonging for all of us."

Emirati Filmmaker Zainab Shaheen On The Power Of Storytelling And Importance Of Her New Film, Mountain Boy

Harper's Bazaar Arabia

"The visionary creative illustrates the diversity of human experiences through her work, connecting people through empathy and love."

Zainab Shaheen Set to Direct Adaptation of Book Series ‘Mountain Boy’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Variety

"The film will aim to celebrate the little-depicted natural majesty of the UAE, showcasing the landscape, culture and values of the Emirati people, while also dealing with the ripples of climate change."

Film Review: Mountain Boy

Seattle's Child

"...the film, spoken in Arabic, is a wonderful introduction for middle-grade viewers to another culture and way of life, though the heart of the story and its characters are universal."

Children's Film Festival Seattle

SHOULD I SEE IT

"The dramatic beats of Mountain Boy are affecting and Sheehan’s film is beautifully shot by cinematographer Denson Baker. A powerful score by Suad Bushnaq brings appropriate emotion, as does a tender, raw, and authentic performance by Naser Saleh as Suhail. He is a true discovery."

Seattle Film Festival Favorite: “Mountain Boy”

CULTUREBENT

"This is a truly all-ages, coming-of-age film revealing a world mostly unknown in the West."

Desert Rose Films starts production of Emirati feature film ‘Mountain Boy’

BROADCAST PRO

"Inspired by the experiences of Ziolkowski’s own son, who is also diagnosed with autism, and her mother-in-law’s memories of growing up in a small mountain village in Fujairah, Mountain Boy gives homegrown Emirati talents the chance to tell the true history and story of the seven emirates."

Abu Dhabi mom’s book on her son becomes movie to raise awareness about autism

Gulf News

"Mountain Boy shines a light on the UAE’s beautiful landscape, culture and people, and touches on crucial subjects as varied as autism awareness, inclusivity, climate change and the importance of preserving Arabian heritage."

Emirati film Mountain Boy tells story of an autistic boy in Fujairah

The National

"...while there may be plenty of stories that highlight the UAE’s deserts, there aren’t many depictions of its mountains and coast in film."

CONTACT

info@fujairahfilms.ae

nancy@desertrosefilms.com