This short film, ‘Hiwar’ (Arabic for dialogue), reimagines the land, mountain, and sea music of Oman featuring local Omani dancers, a choir, a strings section, and a folk band.

The film was developed out of Zahed’s fascination with traditional sea music from the Arabian Gulf – music that conveyed a strong connection to time and space and was characterized by themes of belongingness and togetherness as well as loss and separation; music that was minimal and raw -yet powerful. In 2016, Zahed explored these themes during an artist residency in Sharjah (UAE) alongside a traditional folk band and contemporary musicians, and the first edition of ‘Hiwar’ was brought to life.

In 2017, Zahed engaged in depth with the culture and customs of Oman, specific to their locale in the Gulf. He discovered their rich heritage and links to Africa, Persia and India, their vision for modernity under the guidance of Sultan Qaboos.

For his performance in Muscat, Zahed invited a team of international creatives to join him in developing the special edition of ‘Hiwar’ in congruence with local Omani dancers, a choir, a strings section, and a folk band. The 40-person, 75-minute feature performance used technology, sound, movement, and light, to present a dynamic story about Oman’s importance as a gateway to and from the Arabian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.