2,000 watch historical drama ‘Khorfakkan’ in Sharjah's coastal city
People watch ‘Khorfakkan’ at the newly-opened Khorfakkan Amphitheatre. WAM
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
The recently opened Khorfakkan Amphitheatre was packed on Tuesday evening with 2,000 people, who came in from all over the UAE to Sharjah’s coastal city for the first public screening of the historical drama, "Khorfakkan."
The massive success of the opening show can perhaps be attributed to the fact that watching a movie, which recounts events that took place in the very location where the film is being screened, is a one-of-a-kind experience.
As you take your seat at the awe-inspiring 19,000 sqft Roman-style Khorfakkan Amphitheatre to watch the film, you immediately establish a physical connection with the nation’s centuries-old history. You are in the coastal city, not far away from the sites where hard battles were fought by thousands of locals who sacrificed their lives to put up a winning resistance against a Portuguese invasion in 1507.
The 120-minute Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA) production, unveiled on Dec.15 to mark the inauguration of the Khorfakkan Amphitheatre, is much more than a memorable cinematic experience.
It is, in fact, a unique human experience. Sitting under Khorfakkan’s clear night sky, one cannot help but feel proud of the nation’s heroic ancestors, and more importantly, a sense of belonging to this quaint coastal town built upon centuries of hard work and sacrifices, keeping it safe for us and for future generations.
The success of the first public event hosted by the Khorfakkan Amphitheatre is a realisation of immense efforts put in by the SBA team to ensure that the venue was safe for people to come in. Despite the large turnout, physical distancing and other precautionary measures were adhered to strictly at the 3,600-seater amphitheatre.
The film was followed by spectacular fireworks and a laser drone show, which concluded with the words “Thank You Sultan” that lit up the skies.
With a daily show at 7.30pm until Dec.19, the film is based on the historical book, Khorfakkan’s Resistance Against the Portuguese Invasion of September 1507, by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. It is directed by US and Irish filmmakers Ben Mole and Maurice Sweeney. Public safety at the venue is being ensured through collaborative work by the Survey Planning Department, Khorfakkan Police, Civil Defence, and Khorfakkan City Municipality and Khorfakkan Municipal Council.
"Khorfakkan" will premiere across local cinemas in the UAE on Thursday.
Earlier, Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the Khorfakkan Amphitheatre. His Highness also inaugurated the waterfall tourist destination, and attended the first screening of the historical cinematic epic “Khorfakkan.”
This came in the presence of Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs.
The inauguration by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah witnessed the playing of the national anthem, along with a presentation of military parades by Sharjah Police Academy and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), Khorfakkan Branch.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah toured the amphitheatre, inspecting its facilities and services, while listening to a detailed explanation about it from Engineer Salah Bin Butti Al Muhairi, Adviser to the Sharjah Department of Town Planning and Survey. His Highness also watched a documentary on the stages of construction and building of the amphitheatre.
The Khorfakkan Amphitheatre is a prominent artistic addition to the cultural landmarks in the Emirate of Sharjah. The building of the amphitheatre, which is the largest development project in the city, is located at the foot of “Al Sayed” mountain facing the beach of the city of Khorfakkan, allowing visitors to see the natural side of the city.
