2020/2021 Winners & Shortlists

Write a short summary of what happens in the film

The film opens on the UAE and Yas island during lockdown accompanied by our song. As the emotional lyrics kick in, the song taps into the helplessness and ‘fear fatigue’ that people feelt. Instead of dwelling on the somberness, the song quickly transitions into an aspirational sequence that salutes each and every kind of frontline hero – from medical workers and police officers to the often-forgotten heroes all around us. The music video’s crescendo delivers the ultimate reveal: that we can all be heroes in the UAE if we do our part and support the frontline workers by staying home and staying safe. The ending features a metaphorical contrast to the beginning of the film by showcasing people from all walks of life coming together before we end on a glorious shot of Yas Island and a heartfelt salute.

Cultural / Context information for the jury

The UAE is a highly patriotic country. So, the traditional image of a hero is often limited to army and police officers. During the COVID-19 outbreak, medical workers also rightfully attained hero status. But what most people didn’t realize is that there were many more varieties of frontline heroes helping us get through this. Being a very patriotic culture, people in the UAE also felt a duty to do their part... they just weren’t sure how they can help. So our anthem played two roles: expanding our view of what makes a frontline hero; and inspiring everyday citizens to be heroes in their own way. Given the young, diverse, multi-cultural nature of the UAE, and the popularity of Hip Hop in the country, we knew that a powerful, heartfelt music video would create an instant connection with content-consuming audiences stuck at home.