Doha Film Institute is celebrating the transformational vision and mission of Father Amir, His Highness Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani with a fascinating cinematic tribute that will mark its world premiere on February 19, 2024 with a special invite only event.
Ode to Our Land is a heartfelt and compelling testimony to the Father Amir’s foresight, commitment and inspiring action that built a modern nation dedicated to the prosperity of all its people and the betterment of the Arab world.
The very special cinematic ode to the leader is directed by young Qatari talents Amal Al Muftah and Rawda Al-Thani reflects the remarkable growth of the film industry in Qatar. The poetic essay, produced by the Doha Film Institute for the National Museum of Qatar, chronicles the nation’s transformational growth under the leadership of the Father Amir.
Speaking on the film's significance, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson, Doha Film Institute and Qatar Museums, noted, “Ode to Our Land is a celebration of the incredible journey Qatar embarked on under the Father Amir's vision, which in turn reinvigorated Arab culture and our collective sense of pride. This film beautifully captures our national identity, the challenges we have overcome, and the pride and cultural resurgence that was inspired by the Father Amir’s tireless dedication to our shared futures. Ode to Our Land is a tribute and a celebration of Qatar’s rise to prominence on the world stage and the creative empowerment of its people.”
Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Chief Executive Officer of the Doha Film Institute, said: “Ode to Our Land is a passion project for all of us, an expression of sincere gratitude for our visionary leadership in driving Qatar’s thriving cinema ecosystem. His Highness, The Father Amir’s tremendous achievements have fueled an unstoppable creative force and paved the way for us to become a world-renowned champion of Arab voices in film, television, and the arts. We applaud the filmmakers’ success in encapsulating a life as vast and multi-dimensional as that of HH The Father Amir in a fascinating testament to the pivotal moments of our past and offering the world an accurate representation of our nation’s rich history, tradition, and culture.”
Ode to Our Land follows the life and times of His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, from his youth to today’s great metropolis and global centre, which his transformative vision and leadership made possible. The film charts the path from the Father Amir’s memories, dreams, and aspirations that shaped his vision of the ambitious and innovative development of a nation to global cultural power through interviews, recollections and the filmmakers’ poetic and very personal experiences of growth. It is a journey of a man of great courage, unfailing persistence, and radical foresight.
“We are truly honoured and humbled to premiere our project Ode to Our Land in Doha,” said Amal Al Muftah and Rawda Al-Thani. “As filmmakers born and raised in Qatar, we have directly benefitted from the Father Amir’s vision. Witnessing the exciting rise of Doha's skyline, we felt gratitude for our country's respect for us as women and as artists and to be empowered to seize the opportunity to learn at the highest institutional levels and grow alongside our country. We are thankful to the Doha Film Institute, Qatar Museums, our mentor Tala Hadid, and the government officials and creative professionals who entrusted us with the story of the Father Amir and his incredible journey.”