This psychological horror film, directed and produced by Nayla Al Khaja and co-written by Ben Williams, features British actor Jefferson Hall.
Emirati female filmmaker Nayla Al-Khaja’s debut feature-length psychological horror, Three, has been selected to participate in the 26th edition of the Shanghai International Film Festival, scheduled to take place from June 14 to 23. This marks the first time a UAE feature film has been chosen for the festival, highlighting a significant moment for the country’s emerging film industry.
Nayla Al Khaja Films and Dark Dunes Productions, in collaboration with Camb AI, recently announced the transformation of Three to Mandarin using cutting-edge AI technology. Originally produced in English and Arabic, Three has been reimagined using the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, preserving the original voices of the actors to enhance the authenticity of the storyline. This innovative approach sets a new standard in cinematic translation and storytelling.
Filmed during the Covid-19 wave, this Arabic psychological thriller is a creation of Nayla Al Khaja, serving as both director and producer, co-written by Ben Williams and featuring British actor Jefferson Hall alongside a predominantly Emirati cast including Faten Ahmed, Noura Alabed, Mari Al Halyan, Saud Alzarooni, and Jordanian actor Mohannad Bin Huthail. Executive Producers include Sultan Saeed Al Darmaki, Daniel Zirilli, Jean-Charles Levy, Muna Easa Al Gurg, Jefferson Hall, Siddharth Thakker, and Rasik Thakker.
Three unfolds the story of 13-year-old Ahmed, portrayed by Saud Alzarooni, whose mysterious behaviour triggers his mother, Maryam (Faten Ahmed), to seek aid from both a Western doctor and a traditional exorcist. Al Khaja adeptly navigates themes of mental health, superstition, familial helplessness, and the clash between Western medicine and cultural beliefs.
Considered a milestone in UAE Arab cinema, Three uniquely intertwines a Western character into a narrative centred on an Emirati family—a rare portrayal in cinema history.
Nayla Al-Khaja’s portfolio includes short films such as The Neighbor, Malal, Animal, and The Shadow.
