Moomin Fuad
Occupation(s)director, cinematographer, screenwriter
Years active2006–present

Moomin Fuad is a Maldivian film director, cinematographer and screenwriter known for the critically acclaimed films Heylaa (2006), Happy Birthday (2009) and Loodhifa (2011).

Career

Moomin Fuad collaborated with Ali Shifau to direct the critically appreciated crime film Heylaa (2006) featuring a cast of Ismail Rasheed, Ahmed Mauroof, Zeenath Abbas, Lufshan Shakeeb and Abdulla Muaz.[1] The film narrates the story of a fourteen years old ambitious boy who finds himself unknowingly being involved in the smuggling of a revolver.[2] Apart from writing and directing the film, Fuad worked as the cinematographer, marking it as the first Maldivian film to be shot in high-definition digital video.[3] Though the film received positive reviews from critics, it was a commercial failure.[2][4] Co-director of the film Shifau opined that its commercial status was a result of casting "not very prominent" faces in the film and the "film-goers were not ready to accept the genre" at the time of release.[5] Ahmed Nadheem from Haveeru praised the narration and plot of the film; "Moomin outshone everyone from the crew. From writing to direction and camera work, Fuad has kept every little detail on his mind and arranged the whole sequences the best it can be presented".[6] At 5th Gaumee Film Awards ceremony, Fuad won the Best Story, Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction award.[7]

Three year later, the duo reunited for a suspense thriller Happy Birthday (2009) which narrates the story of a simple man who receives a call on his birthday informing that his wife and son have been kidnapped, only to be returned for a ransom.[8] The film was a commercial failure, despite the positive response from the critics.[8] Winning five Gaumee Film Awards and twelve Maldives Film Awards, the film was also screened at the Venice Film Festival.[9] Though the film received extremely positive reviews from critics with specific praise of Fuad, he admits to "regret" his involvement in the film; "I had to forgo my standards and several ethics for the development of this project. Beyond all the obstacles, I had to harm myself to complete filming Happy Birthday and I never intend on developing a similar project in the near future".[9] At 1st Maldives Film Awards ceremony, Fuad was bestowed with Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Original Song, Best Costume Designer and Best Sound Mixing award.[10] At 6th Gaumee Film Awards, Fuad received the Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Art Direction award.[11]

It was followed by his crime tragedy drama Loodhifa (2011).[12] Featuring an ensemble cast, the film deals with current social issues in society told from different perspectives of the characters.[13] Made on a budget of MVR 600,000, the film was declared a commercial failure though it received wide critical acclaim, praising the performance of cast and the film's "realism" in its language, characters and their attitude.[12] At the 7th Gaumee Film Awards he was bestowed with his second Gaumee Film Award for Best Director, Best Original Song, Best Screenplay and Best Art Direction.[14] He also received a nomination as the Best Director at the 2nd Maldives Film Awards ceremony.[10]

Fuad's first work of 2019 was the psychological horror thriller Nivairoalhi (2019), written and directed by Fuad, which marks Niuma Mohamed's last onscreen film.[15] Produced by Mohamed, it revolves around a patient suffering from depression.[16] Starring Mohamed, Yoosuf Shafeeu and Ahmed Asim in lead roles, the film received majorly positive reviews from critics; Aishath Maaha of Dho? favored the performance of the lead actors and mentioned the "neat arrangement" of its screenplay though pointed out its "weak ending" to be unsatisfactory.[17] This was followed by the Ahmed Sinan-directed crime thriller Goh Raalhu (2019), penned by Fuad, which centers around the criminality and misdemeanor a young man has to deal with while trying to prove his truest intention of love.[18][19] Upon release, the film received widespread positive reviews from critics; Aminath Luba of Sun called it a "five-star worthy blockbuster film" and wrote: "In the fast-paced action thriller, it is the plot twist at the end which grabs most eyeballs, all thanks to Fuad's exemplary writing".[20] Stereotyped in a romantic avatar, several reviews and comments suggest that Jumayyil is preferable in the crime related roles.[20] Later during the year, first Maldivian anthology film was released which credited Fuad as the director of the segment titled Baiveriya which focuses on the drug smuggling scene in Male'.[21] The project was filmed in 2013 and digitally released six years later due to several delays in post-production, where the producer of the film criticizes Farooq for "failing" to complete his segment during the stipulated time period took over the post-production.[22]

Filmography

Feature film

Year Title Director Screenplay Cinematography Ref(s)
2006 Heylaa Yes Yes Yes [6]
2009 Happy Birthday Yes Yes Yes [6]
2011 Loodhifa Yes Yes [12]
2011 Hithey Dheymee Yes [23]
2017 Malikaa Yes [24]
2019 Nivairoalhi Yes Yes [25]
2019 Goh Raalhu Yes [26]

Television

Year Title Director Screenplay Camera Ref(s)
2006 Dhafaraa Yes Yes Yes [21]
2007 Reyfanaa Yes [21]
2008 Inthihaa Yes Yes Yes [21]
2008 Yaasmeen Yes Yes Yes [21]
2008 FB! Yes [21]
2008 Asarugaa Yes Yes [21]
2009 Silsilaa Yes [21]
2019 Mhendhan Yes [27]
2019 Hatharu Halha Yes Yes [21]
2019–2020 Maayoos Yes [28]
2020 Gamini Yes Yes [29]
2022 Netheemey Yes Yes [30]

Short film

Year Title Director Screenplay Camera Ref(s)
2007 Badi Edhuru Yes Yes [31]
2008 Ummeedh Yes
2011 Bodu 13 Muassasaa Yes [27]
2014 Kashfu Yes
2021 Feehaali Yes Yes [32]

Accolades

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref(s)
2008 5th Gaumee Film Awards Best Story Heylaa Won [7]
Best Cinematography Heylaa Won [7]
Best Art Direction Heylaa (Shared with Ali Shifau) Won [7]
2011 1st Maldives Film Awards Best Director Happy Birthday Won [10]
Best Screenplay Happy Birthday Won [10]
Best Art Direction Happy Birthday (Shared with Ali Shifau) Won [10]
Best Original Song "Araamu" - Happy Birthday Won [10]
Best Cinematography Happy Birthday Won [10]
Best Sound Mixing Happy Birthday (Shared with Ali Shifau) Won [10]
2012 2nd Maldives Film Awards Best Director Loodhifa Nominated [10]
Best Art Direction Loodhifa (Shared with Ismail Rasheed and Hussain Munawwar) Won [33]
2015 6th Gaumee Film Awards Best Director Happy Birthday Won [11]
Best Original Song "Araamu" - Happy Birthday Nominated [34]
Best Screenplay Happy Birthday Won [11]
Best Art Direction Happy Birthday (Shared with Ali Shifau and Mohamed Ali) Nominated [34]
2016 7th Gaumee Film Awards Best Director Loodhifa Won [14]
Best Original Song Loodhifa Won [14]
Best Screenplay Loodhifa Won [14]
Best Art Direction Loodhifa (Shared with Ismail Rasheed and Hussain Hussain Munawwar) Won [14]
2019 PSM Office Drama Competition Best Screenplay Nakalu Won

References

  1. ^ Maaha, Aishath (21 October 2018). "Fuad regrets his involvement in Happy Birthday". Dho? (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  2. ^ a b Adhushan, Ahmed (14 September 2017). "11 years anniversary for DRE; what did they achieve?". Dho (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Gaumee Inaam 2018 - Ali Shifau". Presidency Maldives (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 17 January 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  4. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (4 July 2011). "Moomin not satisfied even after 12 Awards". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 16 December 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  5. ^ Luba, Aminath (8 August 2018). "Chippe with new hopes after receiving National Award". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 17 January 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  6. ^ a b c Nadheem, Ahmed (29 March 2012). "Heylaa: An awakening film from a drowsed industry". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 17 January 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d Ahmed, Fazeena (13 April 2008). "Winners of 5th Gaumee Film Awards". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 21 December 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  8. ^ a b Hassan, Nazim (29 June 2015). "The love for cinema from Moger". Vaguthu (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 15 June 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  9. ^ a b Adhushan, Ahmed (2 September 2016). "Fuad regrets his involvement in Happy Birthay". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 16 December 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Feature Film Nominations Announced". Maldives Film Awards (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  11. ^ a b c Saeed, Fathimath (23 October 2015). "Majority of the awards for "Niuma", "Happy Birthday" announced as best film". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 24 October 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  12. ^ a b c Naif, Ahmed (15 February 2011). "Loodhifa; Up-righting the fraternal film industry". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 2 September 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  13. ^ Nadheem, Ahmed (16 December 2010). "Expectations for "Loodhifa" is high". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 16 December 2010. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  14. ^ a b c d e Adhushan, Ahmed (22 December 2016). "With 10 awards, "Loodhifa" crowned as Best Film". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  15. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (3 January 2019). "Nivairoalhi released with a surprise". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  16. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (27 September 2018). "Nivaroalhi yet again to be released in 2019". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 9 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  17. ^ Maaha, Aishath (11 January 2019). "Nivaroalhi Review: Its heartbreaking to say Good Bye". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  18. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (20 March 2018). "Goh Raalhu yet again postponed". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 28 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  19. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (13 March 2017). "Goh Raalhu: Shinan's second direction". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 28 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  20. ^ a b Luba, Aminath (16 February 2019). "Goh Raalhu Review: Drowned in the wave of Goh Raalhu". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 23 May 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i Adhushan, Ahmed (29 September 2020). "After a six years' gap, Hatharu Halha to release in Baiskoafu". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  22. ^ Nadheem, Ahmed (4 March 2016). "Ravee on Hot seat in Hatharu Halha project". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 11 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  23. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (26 September 2016). "Whats up with Hatharu Udhares Ayya?". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  24. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (13 January 2017). "Malika Releasing on March 2". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  25. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (3 January 2019). "Nivairoalhi released with a surprise". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 9 January 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  26. ^ Musthafa, Mohamed (25 December 2018). "Tickets sales for "Goh Raalhu" to kick off from January 4". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 9 January 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  27. ^ a b Adhushan, Ahmed (26 May 2019). "Noor's "Mendhan" available to stream through Baiskoafu". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  28. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (11 November 2019). "Maayoos to release in Baiskoafu". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 15 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  29. ^ Ajeez, Gufthaq (10 October 2020). "Gamini; A Maldivian Netflix series?". Times (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  30. ^ Hidhaya, Aishath (17 January 2023). "First five episodes of "Netheemey" raises several questions". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  31. ^ Rasheed, Ahmed (30 October 2019). "Badi Edhuru to Baiskoafu". MuniAvas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  32. ^ Adhushan, Ahmed (31 December 2020). "Feehaali: New year gift from Moomin Fuad". Mihaaru. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  33. ^ Nadheem, Ahmed (5 July 2012). "Winners of Maldives Film Awards". Haveeru (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  34. ^ a b Nadheem, Ahmed (23 October 2015). "Yoope crowned Best Actor, Niuma received Best Actress, and Happy Birthday as the Best Film". Avas (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.

External links

Moomin Fuad at IMDb

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