Few artists capture the evolving spirit of Saudi storytelling quite like Sarah Taibah. A writer, actor and filmmaker from Jeddah - who was recently spotted on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival - Taibah has become one of the most compelling voices in the region’s creative renaissance.
Best known as the creator and star of Jameel Jeddan – the dark comedy series on MBC’s Shahid that quickly gained a devoted following – she has built a career on challenging expectations and centring complex portrayals of Saudi women. More recently, she starred in the critically acclaimed Mandoob (Night Courier), which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Equally comfortable behind the camera, Taibah co-wrote Hwjn, the biggest Saudi foray into fantasy filmmaking, based on the bestselling novel by Ibraheem Abbas.
As we speak, she has just wrapped shooting A Matter of Life and Death, a feature she wrote and co-stars in alongside Yaqoub Al Farhan. In a matter not quite of life and death, we asked her to take our quick-fire questionnaire.
What is your favourite time of day and why?
First thing in the morning, because it gives me the feeling that I still have a whole day ahead of me and that there’s so much to look forward to and it’s not ending soon. I love beginnings.
What is your favourite restaurant anywhere in the world?
Any tapas place in Barcelona.
When was the first time you realised your parents were human?
When they asked for help.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I don’t want to forget myself. I’d say I want to remain honest. As a human and as an artist.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Well, it’s not so hidden, but I skateboard.
Your favourite book?
I can’t say it’s my favourite, but it’s the one that affected me most – The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by German author Eckhart Tolle.
What type of music can’t you stand?
Hard techno.
What puts you in a bad mood?
Super loud voices.
What can you not live without?
My own space.
Dream dinner guests?
British actress and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge, one on one.
Sitting on the sofa or out with friends?
Lately, on the sofa.
What smell takes you straight back to childhood?
Not really childhood, but I would say back to my early teenage years, Versace Crystal Noir – it was the first perfume I wore in high school and it stayed with me for a while.
What food takes you back to childhood?
Instant noodles.
Which city do you love, but would hate to live in?
Cairo.
Can you play a musical instrument?
No, I can’t.
Have you ever been on a motorcycle?
Yes, a lot, with my brother on the bridge in San Francisco when I used to study there.
Any words to live by?
Let it be.
Biggest pet peeve?
Bragging.
Do you believe in aliens?
I do.
What is your favourite Arabic word?
Helem, because it means two of my favourite things at the same time – dream; but also being soft, kind and patient. All in one.
The most niche thing you watch on YouTube?
How slugs mate.
How do you take your tea?
Sometimes with basil. Sometimes with milk.
What makes you cry?
So many things.
What do social algorithms think you’re interested in?
Oh, movies.
TikTok or Instagram?
That’s a difficult one. But if I have to choose one, it’s Instagram.
What is it about you that would surprise people?
That I forget fast.
What was the last thing you did for the first time?
Well, I just fell on the red carpet for the first time.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
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Sector: Water technology
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Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
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