A documentary film has been released about how Omani explorer Nabil “Nabs” Al Busaidi became the first Arab to walk to the magnetic North Pole.
The 44-minute documentary, titled “The Arab who took on the Arctic,” was screened at City Cinema Shatti in Oman on Saturday, but it has been made available for purchase by TV broadcasters in hopes of being shown on television, according to Arabian Business.
“The director made the expedition more like a story, with a storyline of hardship, redemption and triumph at the end. I guess it was like that, but it didn’t feel like a Hollywood film script at the time,” Mr. Nabil told the magazine.
“It’s a pretty good feeling to have a documentary made about me. And to have done something significant enough to warrant a documentary,” he said to Arabian Business.
“It was fairly accurate. It all happened,” he added, talking about the film.
As part of his grueling expedition, the 39 year-old and his teammates walked more than 650 kilometers (403.8 miles) to reach the magnetic North pole, dragging 50 kilograms (110.2 lbs.) of equipment on a sledge, and battling temperatures as cold as -40 degrees, and stopping only for short food breaks.
“My name is Nabil Al Busaidi, I am the son of Riadh and Salma Al Busaidi, and I am calling from the North Pole,” Mr. Nabs was quoted as saying when he proudly planted the Omani flag at the North Pole.
Documenting the expedition with all its details offers the enthusiasm, touching, amusing feeling of challenging desire and demanding journey. Also, he said, that he has a future trips plans but not confirmed yet.
“I had an accident on Everest this time last year so I didn’t actually get to the summit, so there’s unfinished business there. Also there’s the 100th anniversary of (Robert) Scott and (Roald) Amundsen’s race to the South Pole this year. There’s only one time to do that and that’s between November and January. But it’s an idea, not a plan.”
Since his trip two years ago, Nabs has raised between $100,000 and $200,000 for charity. He says that he is trying to send a message for the youth in the Middle East: Ambition should be the prime motivator to do what you want.
(Ramy Fahmy is a contributor to Al Arabiya)
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