City of Life (Mostafa, 2009)

[X.]

This is the *first* ever review of City of Life, anywhere on the planet.

Here at WearetheMovies, we serve you prime rib and we serve it fast!
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City of Life
Ali F. Mostafa | UAE | 2009
97 min



City of Life will change the way you perceive Emirati filmmaking — it is co-written and directed by Ali F. Mostafa who, with this film, vigorously attempts to shatter preconceived notions about making movies in the United Arab Emirates. City of Life is especially designed to clear the haze surrounding big budget film production in the city of Dubai and it sets a precedent: an Emirati filmmaker funded by Emirati coin has crafted smart, technically first-rate entertainment that can stand its own ground in the international marketplace. For a young country with a non-existent film industry, on this point alone, City of Life is an important accomplishment.

The film has a sprawling narrative with multiple stories, all taking place within the cultural melting pot of one city — for Paul Haggis’ Crash it was Los Angeles, for Mostafa’s City of Life it is Dubai. The similarities between the two films are nakedly apparent in a pivotal scene concerning a massive car crash. Though City of Life does not break new ground in narrative terms, like Crash (which itself borrowed heavily from Robert Altman storytelling technique), it is sensitively performed by an ensemble cast.

City of Life depicts the lives of a young, privileged Emirati (Faisal played by Saoud Al Kaabi) in the process of discovering his cultural identity, an embittered Indian taxi driver (Basu played by Sonu Sood) that dreams of being an actor and a quietly suffering ex-ballet dancer now a stewardess (Natalia played by Alexandra Maria Lara, last seen in Coppola’s Youth Without Youth). Their lives will “collide” and catharsis will be reached for the audience. Despite the more-or-less conventional nature of the plot, director Mostafa gets good performances from his actors – Iraqi MC turned actor The Narcicyst is particularly memorable as the zippy Khalfan whose character provides a sly commentary on urban Emirati life. Actually, City of Life is most effective when it is honest: without being condescending, Mostafa sneaks in everyday truths of living as both a citizen and expatriate in the United Arab Emirates; and he is savvy to not out to grandstand or preach to the choir. Yet this does not mean the film is free of stereotypes — one character, Guy Berger (played by Jason Flemyng) who is the European "hi-roller" undergoes a dramatic transformation that borders on caricature (brace yourself for a memorable line from him: "I will f*cking break you!"). Then there are those arbitrary montages and time lapses that lend a commercial/ music video feel to the otherwise filmic visual aesthetic of both cinéma vérité and moving camera on steadicam or cranes. Director of Photography Michael Brierley paints the nighttime of Dubai with stunning colors using cool and warm lights, especially during the night scenes; Brierley’s beautiful camerawork is one of the strongest elements of the film.

City of Life is not an art film and does not break new ground in story, but that may not be Ali F. Mostafa’s agenda: he seems to have set out to create a mainstream film that engages viewers emotionally, without undermining their intelligence. The film is the product of a young and talented filmmaker that pays homage to Emirati culture and values, but does not forget to include the rich cultural diversity that exists in his country. Above all, it is fun to watch, which is something not every film in a film festival can lay claim to. A must-see especially for the residents of the UAE.
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City of Life had its World Premiere on Dec 11 at the 2009 Dubai International Festival. It was also the opening night film at the 2010 Gulf Film Festival.

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[madali]

Well, shock!

[ayaa1977]

It sounds like a good watch AK. I must say that I was not impressed by the trailer, and the film title is vanilla, and I don't mean it as a compliment. However, it looks like the director broke away from the oldschool Arabic mould of filmmaking, an adopted a more international approach. At least that what I got from your review That on itself ia a positive sign, and I say that regardless whether I am gonna like or dislike the film itself.

[X.]

There will be two kinds of people who will see City of Life:

1) Audience that grew up in the UAE: this group will, largely, respond positively to the movie. Let me give you an example: the Emiratis drive up to a Indian cafeteria; a Malabari/ Keralite waiter runs up to them and begins reciting the cocktail juices menu at 100km/hr speed: "Mixed cocktail, Lulu, Faleel, Firooz..." The Emiratis laughs; one of them asks his friend, "do you want all of them?" Ha ha, you'll get the joke only if you have lived or grew up in the UAE. (By the way, I want to point out that Mostafa never attempts to generate laughs at any race's expense; the said gag is sincere.)

2) Audience that *did not* grow up or is not familiar with the UAE: this group may be generally apathetic to the movie because although the performances are compelling, City of Life has only a slightly better-than-conventional plot...and, as we all know, no amount of technical polish can save an unoriginal script.

I suspect this film will play better with the Gulf audience, and for international viewers it would perhaps score as the most expensive Dubai tourism commercial till date.

[dxbgrl]

I agree with you ak about the 2 types of audiences.
I fall within the first group and I have to admit, I hadnt seen the trailer. So I had zero expectations.

However, its a definitely commendable job by an Emirati filmmaker. No doubt its an unoriginial script, some scenes could hav been more tighter with a lot more emotions blah blah ... but overall it was gr8.

I dint know abt the Narcycist - audience's reaction to his arrival on the stage told me he must be popular in some quarters.... but hez done a fantastic job in the movie ! Loved his fight scenes ... surreal :p

[madali]

This film seems to have more fans that I expected...!

[X.]

I dint know abt the Narcycist - audience's reaction to his arrival on the stage told me he must be popular in some quarters.... but hez done a fantastic job in the movie ! Loved his fight scenes ... surreal :p

I didn't know anything about The Narcicyst before the screening, but his performance compelled me to look him up after!

Re. the fight scenes, I must confess they generated massive hilarity for me. All of sudden the guy in the khandoora is an agent from the Matrix: breaking bones, throwing punches and awarding roundhouse kicks to the nasty thugs (beefy thug with one-eye was a special source of amusement, ha ha). The whole thing would have been terribly sad, were it not cute in its desperation to be, what's the word, thrilling.

That said, I am overall pleased with City of Life and how effortlessly it works on an entertainment level, given that it's Mostafa's first feature-length film.

[fizz]

Ak has just done the impossible, made me excited about watching this film. I only hope it gets a proper release here, and soon.

[X.]

Ak has just done the impossible, made me excited about watching this film. I only hope it gets a proper release here, and soon.

I suspect Mostafa will want City of Life to play to couple more film festivals to gather street cred (and quotes for posters), then bring the film back to Dubai for the big screen. In any case, release will happen 1st quarter of next year.

[safra23]

AK, you have a novice like me even interested in this movie

[X.]

City of Life gets a poster. And it sucks.

[madali]

ANd the only External Reviews is Wearethemovies.com

[X.]

CITY OF LIFE opened the 2010 Gulf Film Festival last night.

Also, I hear it will hit cinemas across the UAE on April 22.

[Sapej]

The movie is fantastic for a new filmmaker. It will be released next Thursday. Please show your support people and spread the word. The director is true about each and everything in this movie. A movie to make us proud! Talks about reality. Fun to watch. And will influence people and motivate other people with dreams to start accomplishing what they dreamed of. We will be hearing about a lot of movies later. Emarati people will start to direct, write, and act. The movie will change a lot of people. Enjoy watching it.  =)

[sandeep]

Yup will watch it for sure this week... have another movie about local Dubai, called DoBuy... more on that in detail!