Bahrain Development Bank Group (BDB) has announced its support for the Bahraini feature film, 'The Sleeping Tree' in line with its interest in promoting Bahraini entrepreneurship, innovation and investment opportunities.

In supporting the production of The Sleeping Tree, a Bahraini feature film by Nooran Pictures, the agreement is the first of its kind for the BDB, but demonstrates its mission to support the diversification of business in the Kingdom, remarked CEO Nedhal Saleh Al-Aujan after signing an MoU with Mohammed Rashed Buali, the managing partner of Nooran Pictures.

Reiterating the BDB’s goals, Al-Aujan said, "We are always looking for new opportunities to help SMEs in the kingdom in order to enhance overall socio-economic development. The Sleeping Tree promises to raise the profile of Bahraini filmmakers and culture."

"We’re very pleased to support Nooran Pictures today and hope this feature film marks the beginning of the development of a viable local film industry," he noted.

Lauding the Bahrain bank for its support, Buali said: "It is an honour to have our aims recognised and supported by the BDB. Very much an extension of its pioneering lead in the country, this marks the first time any financial development institution has supported this segment of the market in the Gulf region."

"We hope that this partnership marks the beginning of a fruitful engagement with local filmmakers to bring their stories to world audiences," he added.

Directed by Mohammed Rashed Buali and written by Fareed Ramadan, The Sleeping Tree will be produced by Nooran Pictures and the Information Affairs Authority (IAA).

Revolving around a family’s sense of tragedy, The Sleeping Tree reflects on the links between Bahraini heritage and cultural beliefs and activities.

The film sheds light on human fallibilities within a society’s cultural norms by examining a family’s relationships and the strain brought upon husband and wife through the illness of their daughter.

Set within the environs of a contemporary Bahraini home, The Sleeping Tree, reveals the tensions within a family broken by their daughter’s illness.

Yet, just when the parents have despaired of all hope, a series of coincidences leading to the local landmark, the Tree of Life, rebuild the couple’s faith in life and change. At the same time, truths are unchanging and the family must accept their realities.

The Bahraini duo of Buali and Ramadan, have worked together in the past on award-winning short films including Al Bishara, or The Good Omen. In addition, each has a string of films and international awards obtained for different ventures in the film industry.

The writer of the two most important Bahraini feature films, “A Bahraini tale” (2006) and “Visitor” (2004), currently Ramadan is overseeing the pre-production stages of a number of other film scripts which he has developed for international directors from Palestine and the United Arab Emirates.

Buali’s work has also taken him to world audiences and in 2012 he was selected as one of the 24 most promising Asian directors amongst 233 put forward for participation in the Busan International Film Festival. Similarly, he was selected by the British Council as the winner of 2012 Young Creative Entrepreneur Award.-TradeArabia News Service