Down and Out in Doha
Qumra Projects
/ Feature Narrative / Qatar
Rated: This film has not been rated.
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Synopsis
A young, reckless Qatari man abandons his fortune in a challenge and learns that there is more to life than money.
Naz, a 21-year-old Qatari orphan, leads a superficial life. After causing a car accident, his Grandmother decides to teach him a lesson. For the next seven days, Naz is to give up his life of luxury and complete a series of challenges that force him to step out of his comfort zone. Ghareeb, the father of Aisha, the young woman he crashed into ups the stakes. If Naz fails the game, he is to marry Aisha, and in turn, Ghareeb will have access to his future son in laws fortunes. Aisha is forced by her father to project manage Naz’s progress or face having her college funds stopped. Reluctantly, she agrees. Naz and Aisha despise each other; however, they are forced to hang out. What starts as a bitter feud of indifference turns into potential love. Naz must win the challenge for self-respect. Aisha needs to make decisions about her life, and Ghareeb is willing to do whatever it takes to control Naz’s wealth and destiny.
About the Director
Waheed writes and directs documentaries, short films, and commercials/spots. He has filmed in mosques, prisons, clubs, hospitals, universities, schools, temples, drug dens, and on covert assignments. His narratives are compelling, visual and often humorous yet left field, insightful and fun. His films focus on characters that are on the margins of society; outsiders, rebels and misfits. Waheed's films have been broadcast on Channel 4, ITV and the BBC. Short narrative films include 'Orange People' (2004), 'Dohard' (2010), 'Double Apple' (2018) and 'Arnie Syndrome' (2020).
Fahad Ahmed Al-Kuwari is an award-winning writer and art director who began his career in filmmaking on the sets of Mira Nair’s 'The Reluctant Fundamentalist' (2012). As an Art Director with Doha Film Institute, Fahad worked on several Qatari Film Fund short films including 'Al-Johara' (2015), 'Our Time is Running Out' (2016) and 'A Journey to from Love' (2017). He also wrote and directed 'Ruqya' (2010) and wrote the screenplay for 'I' (2012). Fahad is the joint recipient of a Merit Award from The CIDA Awards for Excellence for developing a production design curriculum for Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, where he is a guest lecturer.