Big thanks go out to every person who voted for me in the first annual BABAs (Best Arab Blog Awards) and for earning me the Award for Best Bahraini Blog for 2004! You guys rock!

I met some really great people through this blog (which I rather call an “online journal”) and have never thought it would be awarded anything. I was reluctant to start it at first, but I though what the heck, might as well give it a shot… glad I did.

Been a funny busy few days, during which I had actually penned down a short story. Ezrael’s Leaf was conceived in no more than four days. The idea coming to me out of the blue so to speak, as I laid on my bed gazing up at the room of my room in the dark of the late night.

The premise is somewhat bizarre, or outlandish if you like, that concerns death, an old man and a mythical angel by the name of Ezrael. The story has been submitted in a rush to the second short story competition of Café Doom. I had to cut it by more than 100 words to fit it into the category of 1500 limit.

One of the organizers of the competition said the story was a “very unusual story (that) had the feel of an old legendary tale.  Impressive!” so I suppose you could say that he liked it. 

I was also very happy to learn that a fellow Saudi writer and poet had her poetry collection recently published. Nimah Ismaeel Nawaab, a female writer from Saudi, published her book “The Unfurling” through Selwa Press and form the looks of it seems to be an excellent work of literature.

Please pay a visit to her website and show her your support.

Now, I’d like to talk about movies. And the movie I’d particularly like to talk about is one that I’ve watched last night called Dogville. The film, put in a word, is… mesmerizing. A captivating piece of filmmaking based solely on the strength of the cast performances and the brilliance storytelling powers of writer/director Lars Von Trier.

It is simply a masterpiece. The story itself is moving, dark, sweet, funny, and very disturbing. I believe Von Trier managed to create an in-depth study of the human condition at its highest form of vulnerability.

It’s romantic in more than the usual sense of the word, in that it delves into the philosophical and moral complexities of the human spirit in an intimate fashion and brings out the best of worst in us. Every character in this story is magnificently depicted and brought to life by the remarkably, extraordinary cast.

Nicole Kidman, who I truly and passionately believe is the finest and greatest actress of our time, delivers yet another top-notch performance. Only Kidman can portray Grace as she is and was. Only Kidman can be brave enough to go out there and bare her weaknesses and vulnerability and take on a role such as this. I could not take my eyes off of her, every expression, every look, every move… her elegance radiates through the screen.

I salute Von Trier for his courage in creating a film like this, shot as if it were a play, performed on a stage, Dogville is “illustration” of what filmmaking can be like… innovative, creative and original. And I can see his point in this method… throughout the 2 hours and 53 minutes, he never loses the attention of the audience.

I suppose I could go on and go about this film but I won’t… ain’t that a relief for you lot?!

Anyways, my thanks again to those who voted for me in the BABAs, the award is yours!

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