When I rented A New Day in Old Sana’a – I had no idea it was first ever feature-length film to be shot in the Yemen. But stunned by the images I saw in this romantic drama I did a bit of background research and lo and behold, I discovered that British-Yemeni film director Bader Ben Hirsi’s moving filmatic love-story was not only a revelation to me. It contains some truly unique imagery that much of the Western world will have never before seen.
![amaray_case_wrap [Converted]3](http://www.lovehabibi.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/A-New-Day-in-Old-Sana’a1.jpg "A New Day in Old Sana’a")
Heart or Honour?
Shot in 2005, A New Day… tells the tale of Tariq, a young Yemeni man promised by his family in marriage to Bilquis, the daughter of a wealthy judge. To throw a spanner in the works, Tariq falls head over heels in love with an enigmatic woman he has seen dancing in the streets and realizes she is the woman of his dreams.
A New Day in Old Sana’a follows the deeply conflicted Tariq as he struggles to make a decision that will affect his own destiny and possible the honour of his entire family.
The Tender Touch
The film deals with highly relevant issues that not only affect the Yemen, but also many Islamic nations today. What’s so special and stunning about A New Day in Old Sana’a is that it sends out a message of hope in the face of negative perceptions of arranged marriages and Islam on the whole, as depicted by much of the mainstream media.
Sensitive and accurate, the film tackles “hot” issues such as traditional practices and concepts like love, caste, marriage customs and the wearing of the veil, without ever derailing into sexually explicit, violent or profane imagery.
Sana’a, which has been the capital of Yemen since 1962, is known as a centre for Islamic culture, thanks to its Muslim university and abundant mosques. It has been described since medieval times as a beautiful and hospitable city and this special film echoes and reflects this beauty.
Dreams Can Come True
As luck would have it, the film’s leading actor is Nabil Saber, a native of Sana’a, and his co-star, actress and make-up artist Julia Towns of London fell in love on set! The couple were married in London; a year after filming was complete, with the blessings of both their families.
A New Day in Old Sana’a was shown at Cannes in 2005. It blessed my life in 2009. My advice for all those who want a privileged and candid view on the Yemen in all its glory is to get down to the DVD store and rent it now. Go on… Run!
