| Cinema of Maldives | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Main distributors | Dark Rain Entertainment Farivaa Films Crystal Entertainment |
| Produced feature films (2018) | |
| Total | 4 |
TheCinema of Maldives is theMaldivian language film industry based inMalé,Maldives. The dominant style of Maldivian cinema ismelodramatic cinema, which developed since 1990s and characterizes most films to this day. Cinema was introduced in Maldives in 1979.[1] Linguistically, Maldivian films tend to useDhivehi language, intelligible to native speakers, while modern Maldivian films also increasingly incorporateEnglish. During the 1990s, many Maldivian films were inspired byBollywood, with some of the films being unofficial remakes of those films. The industry continued to grow, and some successful Maldivian films were produced.
In the late 1979, a trend of screening Hindi films at the limited cinemas arises.[2] A group of Maldivians came up with the idea of making a regional film for the Maldivian audience though several obstacles emerged including incapability to secure finance and equipment.[2] However, they were successful to acquire a small camera which resulted in the first Maldivian song "Noorey Vidhee Moonun Roashan Ujaala" featuringHassan Afeef and Rahma.[2] Shot at Sultan Park, the song gets leaked prior its official release hence the project of making a film was dismissed.[2] During the time, an independent organization called Bronze Movie Society was introduced to encourage film making.[2]
After three years, the first Maldivian film was release under the helm of then Minister of Health, Musthafa Hussain.[2] TitledThin Fiyavalhu (1982), the film starsHassan Afeef in lead role and tells a story of a romantic relationship between a girl who comes toMale' from an island and a boy who lives in the house she resides in Male'.[2] The film was accepted and appreciated by the audience resulting in the second releaseCopy.[2] During the time,Television Maldives was working on another film titledOrchid: Eynage Maa, giving "the required push" for those interested in film-making.[2]
In the 1980s and 1990s most of the Maldivian feature films were influenced in film-making, style and presentation byBollywood movies. Though few off-track movies of different genres were made, majority of them are strictly influenced byBollywood, awakening a necessity of a realism and naturalism cinema movement. In 1994, Mohamed Niyaz released his only directed feature filmDheriyaa which requisites the style of film-making the industry follows. The same year,Gaumee Film Awards was inaugurated to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Maldivian film industry.[3]Dheriyaa was bestowed with 8Gaumee Film Awards.[3] 1996 witnessed the release of the most successful Maldivian film, Easa Shareef's horror filmFathis Handhuvaru. Successful actors at the time includedReeko Moosa Manik,Ali Shameel,Hassan Afeef, Moosa Zakariyya,Hussain Sobah while successful actresses includedAishath Shiranee,Mariyam Nisha,Jamsheedha Ahmed and Waleedha Waleedh.[4]
During the 2000s, a trend of remakingBollywood films was followed. Hussain Adil'sHiyy Halaaku (1999) was an unofficial remake ofKaran Johar's romantic drama filmKuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) starringShah Rukh Khan,Kajol andRani Mukerji in the lead role while Aishath Ali Manik followed the same trend while makingAsad Shareef,Sheela Najeeb,Ali Seezan andNiuma Mohamed starrerHiiy Edhenee (2001) was copied fromDharmesh Darshan's romantic filmDhadkan (2000) starringAkshay Kumar,Suniel Shetty andShilpa Shetty.[5][6] Similarly, Aslam Rasheed'sromantic thrillerDheevaanaa (2001) was an unofficial remake ofRam Gopal Varma's romantic thrillerPyaar Tune Kya Kiya released in the same year, while Easa Shareef'shorror filmGinihila (2003) is drawn fromVikram Bhatt'sRaaz (2002).[7][8] The decade also saw the trend of established directors likeFathimath Nahula andAbdul Faththaah making melodrama entertainers likeNaaummeedhu (2001),Loabi Nuvevununama (2002),Aan... Aharenves Loabivin (2003),Kalaayaanulaa (2003),Zuleykha (2005),Vehey Vaarey Therein (2005) andYoosuf (2008).[9] In 2005, the first Maldivian romanticdisaster film was released,Abdul Faththaah'sHureemey Inthizaarugaa which was heavily relied on theeffect of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on the Maldives.[10] Majority of the films released during the decade was directed byAmjad Ibrahim.[11] These films were often not the subject of critical acclaim.[11] On the other hand,Moomin Fuad andAli Shifau have been credited for redefining the Maldivian cinema with their own distinct brand of socially conscious cinema with art film likeHeylaa (2006) andHappy Birthday (2009).[12] These films focused on realistic parallel cinema and include believable narratives and strong messages, earning critical acclaim though they were commercial failures.[13] Successful actors at the time includedYoosuf Shafeeu,Ali Seezan, andMohamed Manik while successful actresses includedNiuma Mohamed, andSheela Najeeb.
Majority of the films released in 2010s were based on themes; romance, drama and horror.[14] In 2010, some family drama films dealt with social issues;Yoosuf Shafeeu’sVeeraana revolves around a child beingsexually abused by apedophilia whileNiuma Mohamed’s debut direction,Niuma showed the titular character being sexually assaulted by her father and brother.[14] Also, Shafeeu-directedHeyonuvaane revolves around a male who is victimised of domestic abuse.[14] It also marks the first film released in theaters along with English subtitles.[14] The following year,Moomin Fuad's crime tragedy drama filmLoodhifa was released attracting widespread critical acclaim though it fails to leave much impact financially.[15] Prior to release, the film is marketed to be one of the most bold and risky movies released in the industry.[16] The year introduced a war drama film,Ali Seezan'sWathan, where the genre was later experimented in 2016 by Ash'har Waheed inHaadharu.[17] In 2010, ten Maldivian feature films were released while in 2011 the number was increased to thirteen. 2012, witnessed a big drop in film releases, due to the only theatre, Olympus Cinema, being closed for upgrading.
The following year,Ali Shifau-directed horror filmFathis Handhuvaruge Feshun 3D (2013) was released which marks the first 3D release for a Maldivian film and the firstprequel made in the industry.[18] It was followed byRavee Farooq's experimental suspense thrillerIngili (2013) which initiated the recognition of Maldivian cinema in international platforms. The regional success was recommenced withAli Seezan's psychological thrillerInsaana (2014) and Farooq'sVishka (2017). The decade also saw the rise of a new generation of popular actors likeMohamed Jumayyil, Vicente Baraquel,Ravee Farooq andAhmed Azmeel while popular actresses includeAishath Rishmy,Mariyam Majudha,Fathimath Fareela andMaleeha Waheed.
Raajje.mv identifies six major challenges that have influenced the progress of Maldivian popular cinema:[1]
Maldivian films are mostlymelodramatic andhorror films. They frequently employ formulaic ingredients such as star-crossed lovers, enraged parents, love triangles, cunning in-laws, sacrifice, dramatic reversals of fortune, and convenient coincidences. Some films include elements ofmusicals and are expected to contain catchy music in the form of song-and-dance numbers woven into the script. A film's success often depends on the quality of such musical numbers. A film's music is often released before the movie to attract the audience. However, there are few Maldivian films with more artistic aims and more sophisticated stories. They often lost out at the box office to movies with more mass appeal.
TheGaumee Film Awards ceremony is one of the most prominent film events given for Maldivian films. Presented by National Centre for the Arts to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Maldivian film industry, it is the oldest film events in Maldives. The 1st Gaumee Film Awards ceremony was held in 1994 and films released prior to this year was judged. Till the8th Gaumee Film Awards ceremony, films released on a span of two or more years were judged for each ceremony.
Notable awards ceremonies for Maldivian films, held within Maldives are:
Most of these award ceremonies are lavishly staged spectacles, featuring singing, dancing, and numerous celebrities.