Abu Dhabi (Aletihad)
TRENDS Research and Advisory, in collaboration with Anasy Media, organised a special premiere screening of the Emirati documentary 100 Cans, followed by a panel discussion titled "Artwork in Conflict Zones: Re-Imagining Lives and Livelihoods".
The event was attended by Col. Dr. Saif Suleiman Al-Ghaithi from the Ministry of Defense, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research and Advisory, the Anasy Media team, as well as a large number of researchers, journalists and TRENDS employees.
Dr. Al-Ali opened the screening and panel discussion with a welcoming address, commending the efforts of Sheikha Alyazia bint Nahyan Al Nahyan, the first Extraordinary Ambassador for Culture to the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) and the founder of Anasy Media. He praised her cultural role in spreading knowledge and serving the community, highlighting that art transcends being merely an expression of creativity to become a powerful means of expression.
The panel discussion featured film director Mazen Al-Khayrat, artist Saif Chilmiran, and researcher Shamma Ahmed Al-Qutbah. Nayef Ibrahim Al-Zaabi, a distribution and exhibitions specialist at TRENDS, presented the session, which was moderated by Meera Al-Zaabi, media specialist at TRENDS.
Following the screening, attendees discussed topics such as art as a means of recovery, fostering dialogue in war-torn societies, the challenges and risks of producing art in conflict zones, empowering local communities through collaborative art projects, art’s role in highlighting and addressing social issues, and art as a tool of representing people under siege.
Additionally, the panel touched on documentary filmmaking as a tool for advocacy and social change, as well as challenges and responsibilities regarding scientific research and knowledge production in conflict zones.
The film shed light on the persistent and harmful impact of landmines on civilians and communities long after conflicts have ended.
Production Challenges
Mazen Al-Khayrat, film director at Anasy Media, spoke about the physical and psychological challenges faced by artists working in conflict zones, noting the significant obstacles the 100 Cans team encountered during filming and production amid landmines and security risks.
He emphasised the need for courage and resilience in transforming artistic messages into impactful tools that inspire hope. Al-Khayrat also discussed the use of artwork to raise global awareness of pressing issues, such as the devastating impact of landmines, and the call for improved policies and humanitarian assistance for affected communities.
Al-Khayrat highlighted the role of documentaries in conveying human stories from conflict zones, noting that films like 100 Cans do not just document civilian suffering but also serve to raise global awareness and mobilise audiences in support of humanitarian causes.
100 Cans
100 Cans, produced by Anasy Media and directed by Mazen Al-Khayrat, has won multiple awards at international and local festivals, including the Golden Award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards in the US and Best Director at the Falcon GCC Film Competition of the Al Ain Film Festival.
The film has participated and been nominated for awards at 17 international film festivals in France, Berlin, Madrid, Canada, Moldova, New York, California, North Carolina, Sweden, Chicago, Rhode Island, and Italy. It was also screened at Soho House in Hollywood, US.
The film was shot in Mokha (Mocha), renowned for its Arabica coffee exports from the 16th to the early 18th century.
Art as a Tool
Artist Saif Chilmiran discussed how art can serve as a therapeutic medium for communities affected by conflicts, stating that creative expression helps alleviate trauma and encourages open dialogue within communities, thus fostering emotional recovery and social cohesion.
Scientific Research in Conflict Zones
TRENDS researcher Shamma Ahmed Al-Qutbah concluded the discussion by emphasising the importance of scientific research in conflict zones, highlighting ethical and logistical challenges in data collection and truth-sharing.
She noted that research can contribute to producing knowledge that influences decision-makers and aids in directing humanitarian policies to support affected communities. Al-Qutbah explained that 100 Cans carries a global message that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.
She highlighted that knowledge is a weapon stronger than violence, and scientific research can turn stories of pain into hope, illuminating the darkness of conflicts with understanding and awareness. According to Al-Qutbah, science is a power that can restore hope and improve the lives of those affected by conflicts. She said that through research and study, we can help develop innovative strategies that address the impacts of conflict, enhancing the role of researchers in serving humanity and supporting change efforts.
Exhibition
An exhibition was organised on the sidelines of the screening and panel discussion, showcasing information on Yemen’s history and geography, including the Kingdom of Sheba, Arabic coffee, and the Zabur script, in addition to the history of landmines, and the UAE’s initiatives and role in supporting global and regional landmine removal, as well as the humanitarian legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.