Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world with the highest GDP per capita (source). Vast economic growth has led Qatar to be one of the rapidly booming countries that has quickly transitioned into modernity. However, as Qatar strives to establish itself as a modern state, the perseverance of national culture and identity has never been lacking in its future plans. Indeed, through the introduction of the Qatar National Vision 2030 in 2008, Qatar has clearly underlined its unique ambition to incorporate both modernity and traditional culture into all future state strategies. The vision also highlighted Qatar's role as an active player in mediating between cultures outside Qatar through “Sponsoring and supporting dialogue between civilizations, promoting coexistence between different religions and cultures” (Qatar 12). In 2010, Qatar was selected to be the Arab Capital of Culture, an initiative launched in 1995 by the Arab League under the patronage of UNESCO. The initiative aims to promote and recognize Arab culture and encourage fruitful collaborations between Arab countries. To celebrate this honor and achieve its goal of becoming a global cultural hub, Qatar has organized over 70 cultural events including performances, exhibitions and film screenings. As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage sponsored the production of Qatar's first Clockwise feature film. The film is an attempt to preserve Qatari culture, as the country is “rapidly opening up to other cultures and slowly moving away from its tribal structure” which has led younger generations to be less aware of their “historical identity” (Al -Attiyah 2). . Furthermore, it aims to shed light on a culturally rich environment......middle of paper......genies, Saad saves his father by breaking Adsaan's spell, bringing peace to both the village and the life of his father. .1.1.3. RECEPTION OF THE FILM With a big budget, an ambitious director and an enthusiastic audience, it was expected that the film would be a huge success, a newspaper report stated: "The director said the film would be screened in late April in Qatar, in the Gulf and Arab countries, as well as at international festivals in the United States, France and Spain” (Hussein). However, the stakes were high; a year later, Qatari director Al-Muraikhi began to criticize the Ministry for lack of support by the Al-Arab newspaper and stated that “advertising for the film was almost dead” and “the Ministry should have invested in marketing the film instead of closing it in its stores.” Asked whether the film's failure could be a reason for the ministry's passivity, he responded,