2012 Winners & Shortlists

Brief Explanation

The film uses a digitally remastered original archive recording from the early 1970s. The voice accompanying the film is that of His Highness the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1918 - 2004) the principal driving force behind the formation of the United Arab Emirates and the country's first President. In this recording His Highness prays that his people will live together in harmony and prosperity. The original voice is mixed with a new acoustic studio recording, using authentically reconstructed instruments from the time, like the Oud. The background melody builds to reveal elements of the original 1971 UAE National Anthem. The film was released around ten days before the 40th National Day and played on TV, in malls, on airlines, the web, and at the official National Day celebrations. This is a translation of the 1971 voice of Sheikh Zayed: I only want my people: To keep praising and thanking Allah Almighty, To keep loving their country, And to keep working hard For their own good, and the good of their country and their families... This is what I want for my people. And may our Lord guide us to do All that He wills and all that He loves.