The nation-wide television event unveils 125,000 Years of History  through latest archeological discoveries and cutting-edge technology

The five episode series will be broadcast nightly across national and regional television channels and stream on Etisalat’s E-life and Du

The international three-episode version of the series, narrated by Jeremy Irons, will air globally on National Geographic channels and on Emirates and Etihad inflight entertainment

To download the full trailer, click here.

November 2019: Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Atlantic Productions much-anticipated documentary History of the Emirates, premieres this month, with new episodes airing every night at 9pm from 24 to 28 November across a number of national channels in the UAE.

Stretching back 125,000 years and culminating in the union in 1971, History of the Emirates is a ground-breaking series that profiles the very foundations of the country’s civilizations over five thematic episodes that focus on: society; innovation; trade; belief and unity.

History of the Emirates utilizes the latest cutting-edge technology — from CGI to lidar scanning and 360 degree camera work — interwoven with never-before-seen archival footage, to create a program unlike anything created in this region.

HE Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman of Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, said: “We are thrilled to share this spectacular documentary series with the public ahead of the National Day celebrations. At Image Nation Abu Dhabi, we are proud to have captured the country’s remarkable past and amazing present, while revealing a completely unseen civilization to viewers new to the region. Regardless of age, nationality or background, this documentary will appeal to everyone who is curious about our nation and to those who call the UAE home.”

History of the Emirates is presented by Image Nation Abu Dhabi, the Academy Award-winning media and entertainment company, and produced by Emmy and BAFTA award winning Atlantic Productions, one of the world’s leading factual production companies, whose documentary series include David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef and The Coronation with HRH Queen Elizabeth.

The production partners have also collaborated on the three-part UAE history series aimed at international audiences, narrated by Academy-Award winner Jeremy Irons, to air globally on National Geographic this December.   

Anthony Geffen, Producer and Creative Director of Atlantic Production said: “History of the Emirates encompasses over one hundred thousand years of the UAE’s magnificent history, with key insights to its unique culture and landscape.  Atlantic Productions was delighted to produce

this series and work with so many talented people in the UAE, where we were able to draw on extraordinary new research and experts.  Our teams used new forms of LiDar and ground penetrating radar to unveil significant ancient sites and bring them back to life.  Our new camera systems, drones and cutting edge CGI allowed us to tell the compelling story of the UAE with dramatic real and as-real visuals.”

The series will also be combined with immersive content, an interactive app, a mobile digital museum and VR experiences which will transport viewers under the water with traditional pearl divers, across the desert, and inside Qasr al Hosn.

Episode Information

The first episode, Society, opens the UAE’s story 125,000 years ago, following the earliest human migrations out of Africa and the birth of civilizations, as well as the beginning of the majlis system of consultation-driven governance and the UAE’s enduring belief in equality.

In episode two, Innovation, the documentary highlights how relentless innovation in fishing, farming and governance has helped the people of the UAE endure one of the world’s harshest climates for millennia.

Throughout the Trade episode, viewers see how the Emirates has been a focal point for people from across the globe for centuries, from ancient trading routes across Mleiha and Ed Dur to the modern shipping and aerial networks of the UAE.

Episode four, Belief, explores ancient Neolithic burial practices, evidence of snake-cults and sun temple ruins, while archaeological evidence reveals that the people here have always treasured the community above the individual. The episode demonstrates the UAE’s role as a beacon of peaceful co-existence, looking at the rise of Islam alongside other religious practices, such as the Christian monastery of Sir Bani Yas.

Titled Unity, the last episode will highlight the historic trend towards unity in the UAE. The documentary concludes with the origins and stories of the proud tribes of the nation over the past 200 years, and how they have adapted, evolved and eventually unified to form the United Arab Emirates in 1971.

The five-part documentary will be airing on Dubai TV, Dubai One, Sama Dubai, Abu Dhabi TV, Baynounah TV, Dhafra TV, Ajman TV, Al Roya, National Geographic Abu Dhabi, MBC1 and further regional broadcasters in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and Jordan.

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About Image Nation Abu Dhabi

Image Nation Abu Dhabi is an award-winning film and entertainment company which has built its reputation on breaking boundaries and unleashing imagination. It creates films, TV series, documentaries and entertainment for consumers throughout the world and is the first UAE company to have multiple productions stream globally on Netflix. Its success spans the globe – screening content at over 400 international film festivals and receiving the industry’s highest honors, including two Academy Awards, a BAFTA and an Emmy.

Image Nation has a strong track record of producing high-quality productions through a combination of local talent and international expertise. The company encourages original thought and curiosity while providing a platform for inspiration and practical training through its robust development program, Arab Film Studio.

Its mission is to help build the film and entertainment industry across the GCC and MENA – a pioneering ambition in line with Abu Dhabi’s vision to shape a competitive, sustainable and globally open economy. Image Nation enables all those who engage with it to become guardians of culture and ambassadors of change.

About Atlantic Productions

Atlantic is one of the world’s leading documentary production companies and has won multiple BAFTA and Emmy awards. In 27 years, it has built a reputation for world-class storytelling, enhanced by the latest technology.

Atlantic’s diverse output includes 11 projects with David Attenborough including BAFTA award-winning Flying Monsters (Sky), Museum Alive (Sky) and The Great Barrier Reef (BBC); Inside the Commons (BBC), Time Scanners (NatGeo), Mission Galapagos (BBC), Jerusalem, City of Heaven (Discovery) and the acclaimed theatrical film The Wildest Dream: Conquest of Everest.  Recent projects include the critically acclaimed The Coronation (BBC/Smithsonian/ABC), made with HRH Queen Elizabeth, the five part series Deep Planet (Discovery) and Judi Dench’s Wild Borneo Adventure (ITV).  Atlantic won the first-ever BAFTA award for virtual reality with David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef Dive VR.  Atlantic Productions produced the History of the Emirates series, as well as the immersive interactive app and VR experiences.

For further information, please contact:

Ailsa Martin

+971 56 503 4850

+971 (0) 2 234 4600

[email protected]