The NYUAD Arts Center, the Core Curriculum, and the Film and New Media Program present the latest film by acclaimed director Ali F. Mostafa
In the dark future imagined by this post-apocalyptic dystopian thriller, environmental catastrophe has left the world in a state of chronic water shortage. A band of survivors have sought refuge in an abandoned warehouse that contains the last remaining clean water source in the area. One day, two strangers infiltrate their fortified compound, entangling them in deadly traps and a brutal game for survival in which only one of them can emerge as “the Worthy.”
A groundbreaking film that changes the face of Arab cinema, THE WORTHY is a rollercoaster ride, laden with action and special effects. At the same time, its story and themes resonate with some of the most pressing issues of our times, offering social commentary with regional and universal implications. At stake is the survival of humanity, no less. The third feature film directed by the popular and critically-acclaimed director Ali F. Mostafa, THE WORTHY features a star-studded, pan-Arab cast, including Samer Al-Masri, Ali Suliman and Maisa Abd Elhadi, with impressive newcomer Mahmoud Al-Atrash in the lead role.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the director Ali F. Mostafa.
Ali F. Mostafa is a British-Emirati director whose first feature film CITY OF LIFE (2009) is credited as being the first Emirati feature film. Afterwards, he directed FROM A TO B (2014) and, now, THE WORTHY (2016), which is his latest feature. In addition, he has directed numerous short films and TV commercials. He won the award of Best Emirati Filmmaker at the Dubai International Film Festival.
Andrew Bell is Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at NYU. His work includes focus on livelihoods, migration, and management of scarce natural resources, particularly water, in Sub-Saharan Africa, and South and Southeast Asia.
Shohini Chaudhuri is a film activist and Visiting Professor of Film and New Media, NYU Abu Dhabi. Her expertise is in World Cinema, particularly film and human rights. Her most recent book is Cinema of the Dark Side: Atrocity and the Ethics of Film Spectatorship (2014). She is currently working on a new book project on “Crisis and Creativity,” which deals with freedom of expression and cinema. She has previously curated film programs for The Mosaic Rooms, London, and has organized public film events for the NGO Amnesty International.