Aldona Kwiatkowski Explores Dubai’s Creative Community in Film for She’s Mercedes

'My Chosen Family', directed by Spindle’s Aldona Kwiatkowski , was created in collaboration with influential, visual artist Leena Al Ghouti for the She’s Mercedes initiative.  

She’s Mercedes was established by the German automotive brand to inspire, connect and empower women who are driven to make things happen.

The film, shot over three days in Dubai, addresses a modern notion of belonging, whilst also celebrating female cohesion and finding one's own creative voice.  Delving into the meaning of friendship and belonging to Dubai's creative community, the documentary short follows Leena Al Ghouti and her group of friends, providing an intimate glimpse into the identity and aesthetics of Dubai’s youth culture. 

At 28 years old, Al Ghouti is one of the most visible faces of a new generation of Dubai creatives, gaining recognition not only for establishing a fresh new personal aesthetic, but also for shining a light on fellow members of Dubai’s creative community.

Aldona comments: "For Leena — known internationally for her personal style; pairing oversized, layered street-style fashion with avant-garde designer items and her signature black hijab – Dubai is a place of personal freedom and possibility. Her frequently updated Instagram profile reflects this and is truly a family affair with the aspirational shots taken mainly by her 10-year-old brother Rayan."

With bustling street scenes, reflective skyscrapers, and surreal natural settings, the short film oscillates between documentary moments and stylised imagery, that invite the viewer into a visual dreamscape. ‘My Chosen Family’ features many of the region’s local artists and makers, for example, prolific artist Cheb Moha, who also lent his talent to the short film as Creative Director. Other talents include the colourful musician and sought-after DJ Karrouhat, who blends a wide range of musical influences like reggae, electronic music, and Arabic tunes, and the upcoming photographer Mashael Alsaie who is prominently featured in the film and also contributed stills to the project.

Berlin based director Aldona Kwiatkowski has always had a passion for the cultural sciences, having studied them at university and is committed to exploring different perspectives through film. She notes: "I studied cultural sciences because I was interested in how we create and think about the world, the different perspectives. How different groups can see different things in the world depending on their personal backgrounds. With film we have the chance to collaborate on topics that are meaningful to us and create our own creative voices that are truthful to us."

She also has an evident love of fashion and travel, which exudes through her work. She comments: "Fashion is escapism, it can elevate people’s character and mood.  It can also elevate moments in a story. In my worlds, the heart of the story feels very genuine and true but also looks beautiful. Fashion doesn’t have to be polished. There should be a motivation behind the beauty that ultimately connects with the audience."

‘My Chosen Family’ went live on Mercedes' online channels on 4th February.