Book on evolution of cinema in Oman unveiled

Observer

13-05-2025

A book that documents the evolution of cinema in Oman in comparison to the global cinema scene was unveiled by Mohammed al Kindi, a renowned film-maker, actor and member of the Board of Oman Film Society (OFS) on Sunday.
The 279-page book is the first of its kind to chronicle the journey of the film industry in the country over the past five decades.
It also delves into the highs and lows that cinema experienced during the five decades since the 1970s, with a special focus on the transformative years under the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. It also provides a detailed account of how various film-makers, directors, writers, actors and other technicians shaped a distinct art form called cinema despite various challenges, including limited resources.
Speaking to the Observer, Mohammed al Kindi expressed his expectation for the book to serve as a reference guide for future generations and emphasised the book's significance. 'This book is an ode to the pioneers who ignited the cinematic flame in Oman. Their stories are not just about making films, but about building a movement, often against all odds. The book doesn't only highlight film-makers, but also pays tribute to journalists, theatre personalities and business leaders who played vital roles in supporting the growth of the medium,' Al Kindi said.
The book shines a light on great film personalities who strived for an authentic cinema culture in the country, including key figures of the Omani film industry such as cameramen Taghlib al Barwani and Mohammed al Zubair, OFS founding members Haitham al Tai and Dr Khalid al Zadjali, veteran journalist Shaikh Hamood al Siyabi, and the late actor-director Salim Bahwan.
The book includes dedicated pages for various film festivals that have taken place in the country, such as the Muscat International Film Festival (MIFF) and Oman Film Festival, emphasising their roles in nurturing local talent and fostering international collaborations to develop better film-makers. The book also has a section dedicated to the history of OFS, from its early days as a meeting place for film enthusiasts to its current iconic headquarters located in Al Seeb.
Al Kindi mentioned that the idea for the book was purely coincidental and first came to him while preparing a lecture for a book festival in France in 2019. 'While researching for my speech, I discovered fascinating stories of film-makers across Oman. That's when I knew this had to become a book,' he said.
Over the next five years, Al Kindi travelled and met with different people from across the country, spoke to movie buffs, and collected stories and archives for the project. He also mentioned that he plans to release a second volume covering the period starting from 2020 onwards.
The book was recently showcased at the WAVES Summit in Mumbai, where Mohammed al Kindi was invited as a guest by the Indian Embassy in Oman. The book can be obtained from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and is also available at the OFS library.