Filmmaker uses virtual reality to share UAE life with the world

An Emirati filmmaker wants to open up the UAE to the world – without people even having to dust off their passport.

Hassan Kiyany wants potential visitors, from New York to Norway, to see samosa dough dropped into a cauldron of spluttering oil or watch as fishermen spread out their catch in an Emirati market.

These are the authentic stories of UAE life that Kiyany is eager to put in the spotlight – using technology to serve up a virtual reality tour.

“People want an authentic experience of a place,” said Kiyany, who runs Dubai film and production company Kiyany Media.

“We know the UAE has so much culture. It is all around us, and it’s up to us to tell this story of real people and real places so people want to visit and meet these people who inspire others, and me.”

In one short film called The Man Who Sells Samosa and You Probably Ate One, he talks to the owner of a 50-year-old shop near Dubai Creek that sells 10,000 of the crispy triangular snacks every day.

“Imagine an American walking into a UAE kiosk in Times Square where he puts on a VR headset and watches culture that is live and local.

“He will be inside the samosa shop, hear the guys talk, see how they make samosas. That is the power of virtual reality,” Kiyany said.

Local markets and stores he frequents are part of the multimedia packages Mr Kiyany releases on his website.

“It does not have to be a hotel or beach. The more real it is the more people will want these experiences and we can attract tourists so they get a sense of the people in this part of the world.”