The documentary will be aired on Sharjah TV on the same day that the film, based on the Ruler of Sharjah, HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qassimi’s book, is released in UAE cinemas.
A behind-the-scenes documentary that provides an exclusive look at the making of the historical film Khorfakkan will be aired on Sharjah TV on December 17 at 10 pm, while the film itself will premiere in cinemas across the UAE on the same day.
The documentary details the grand scale of the film that is set against the backdrop of the Portuguese invasion of Khorfakkan in the 16th century (1507-1534), when the natives resist the first attempt in 1507 by Portuguese naval commander Afonso de Albuquerque to colonise the place. The story continues after 27 years from that event, in the year 1534, when Portuguese commander Don George de Castro leads another campaign to try to subjugate Khorfakkan to the authority of Hormuz. Both attempts met with failure as the natives put up strong resistance and remained free.
The film is based on a book written by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, titled Khorfakkan’s Resistance Against the Portuguese Invasion of September 1507. It details the events that went on to shape the history of Sharjah and the region.
The documentary, produced by Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director General of Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, also depicts the Ruler of Sharjah’s role in ensuring the authenticity of the film, by overseeing aspects of the production process, including the choice of locations and costume design. It details the process that went behind creating the authentic sets to represent the historic city as it used to be then, and how the crew created models of ships, boats, and weapons of that period.
The documentary will be re-telecast on Sharjah TV at 2 pm on December 18.
Khorfakkan is directed by Maurice Sweeney and Ben Mallaby. The film will debut at the Khorfakkan Amphitheatre on December 15-16 and will premiere in local cinemas on December 17.
