In a gripping return to Fantastic Fest, Emirati filmmaker Majid Al Ansari unveils the world premiere of The Vile, a chilling exploration of polygamy, greed, betrayal, and trauma, told through the lens of a mother and her daughter. Known for his critically acclaimed thriller Zinzana (Rattle the Cage), Al Ansari brings a deeply personal and culturally resonant horror film to the Austin-based festival, marking his first feature in a decade. In an exclusive interview with AMFM Magazine’s Paul Salfen, Al Ansari shared insights into the film’s emotional core, his creative process, and the universal themes that make The Vile a conversation starter.
A Personal and Universal Story
The Vile, produced by Academy Award-winning studio Image Nation Abu Dhabi and U.S.-based horror label Spooky Pictures, centers on Amani, portrayed by Bdoor Mohammed, and her daughter as they navigate the emotional fallout of a husband’s decision to take a second wife without consent. Al Ansari emphasizes that the film is not a judgment on polygamy but an exploration of its impact when choice is absent. “It’s a story about a family that gets broken up by a husband’s decision,” Al Ansari told Salfen. “It’s a gut punch that shakes up the household, and it’s an exploration of Amani’s feelings and what she goes through.”
Drawing from his own experiences growing up in a culture where polygamy was more prevalent in past generations, Al Ansari aimed for authenticity. He recalls a childhood memory of a friend confiding, “I think my father hates me. He just married someone else.” This moment stuck with him, shaping the film’s empathetic lens. “It’s not an anti-polygamy film,” he clarified. “When there is consent and choice, it’s a very different matter. But in this scenario, where there is no choice, it’s a sacred punch.”
To ground the story, Al Ansari conducted extensive research, sitting down with families who experienced similar dynamics. “The dialogue is based on real conversations,” he explained, citing a scene where Amani asks her sister, “If you were me, what would you do?” These authentic exchanges, combined with the performance of lead actress Bdoor Mohammed—who brought her own lived experiences to the role—create a visceral emotional core. “I leaned on her to understand what she feels,” Al Ansari said, noting the collaborative process that shaped Amani’s journey.
Blending Horror and Heart
As a horror enthusiast, Al Ansari masterfully balances the genre’s thrills with the film’s emotional weight. “The true horror of this movie is what Amani goes through,” he said. “The betrayal is the horror.” Unlike detached set pieces, every scare in The Vile is tied to Amani’s psychological and emotional journey, ensuring the horror amplifies her story rather than overshadows it. “I wanted to make sure the horror and her journey drive each other,” Al Ansari noted, emphasizing the delicate balance.
The film’s production team, including production designer Benedikt Lange (Zinzana), cinematographer Benjamin Kirk Nielsen (Watcher), and editors Ghalya Lacroix (Blue is the Warmest Color) and Hafedh Laridhi (Hedi), crafted a visually striking and emotionally immersive experience. Costume designer Kamal Farajallah, known for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, added cultural authenticity to the film’s aesthetic. Producers Roy Lee (Barbarian), Steven Schneider (Insidious), Derek Dauchy (Late Night with the Devil), and Rami Yasin (Watcher), along with executive producers Mohamed Hefzy and Yasir Alyasiri, brought their expertise to this landmark project—the first Arabic-language Emirati film in the Image Nation-Spooky Pictures partnership.
A Cultural Milestone
The Vile marks a significant moment for Arab cinema, particularly in the horror genre, which Al Ansari notes is still emerging in the region. “Horror is such a new genre to the Arab world,” he said, expressing excitement about pushing boundaries and exploring new avenues, including gore, in future projects. The film’s international cast, including Sarah Taibah, Iman Tarik, Jassem AlKharraz, Nora Ali, Saeed AlHarsh, and Samira Al Wahaibi, brings diverse perspectives to this culturally specific yet universally relatable story.
Reflecting on his inspirations, Al Ansari cites Korean cinema’s emotional depth and personal storytelling as a guiding influence. He also credits a childhood viewing of The Exorcist—watched at age eight on a VHS tape traded with American soldiers in Kuwait—for sparking his love for horror. “I was scared shitless,” he laughed, “but it raised my passion.”
Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers
For aspiring filmmakers in the Fantastic Fest audience, Al Ansari’s advice is simple yet profound: “Follow your heart and make it as personal as you can. Find yourself in the story.” He recounted a pivotal moment in his career when he seized a five-minute window to pitch Zinzana to the chairman of Image Nation, cutting short a family vacation in Spain to fly back to Dubai. “I just jumped in the deep end,” he said. “Don’t overthink it. Just jump and find a way out.”
Al Ansari’s perseverance is fueled by a personal mission. As a father of two daughters, he was driven by the thought of them watching The Vile decades from now. “My wife kept reminding me, ‘Your daughters are going to watch this. What are you telling them?’” The answer lies in Amani’s journey of rediscovery. In a poignant line at the film’s climax, Amani declares, “I’m going to be everything that I wasn’t with you,” encapsulating the film’s message of finding one’s voice and identity amidst trauma.
Fantastic Fest and Beyond
As Al Ansari prepares to attend Fantastic Fest, he’s eager to connect with audiences and fellow filmmakers. “I look forward to having conversations with people who watch my movie, whether they like it or not,” he said. He’s also excited to experience the festival’s vibrant energy, particularly for screenings like VHS Halloween, which he’s saved to watch with the Fantastic Fest crowd.
The Vile promises to be a standout at Fantastic Fest, blending raw emotional storytelling with genre thrills. As Al Ansari continues to carve a path for Arab horror, his latest work invites audiences to confront uncomfortable truths while celebrating resilience. “It’s about finding who you are and your voice,” he said. For Amani, and for Al Ansari, that journey is both personal and universal—a testament to the power of cinema to spark dialogue and discovery.
