On Monday evening, EPEX Dana Cinema hosted the screening of the documentary film “Lady of the Mountain: A Story from Chechnya,” produced by students from the College of Communication and Media Technologies at Gulf University. The screening took place as part of the Russian Cultural Days activities organized by the university at its Sanad campus, celebrating cultural exchange and academic cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Russian Federation.
Al-Firas: Strengthening an Educational Experience that Combines Knowledge, Application, and Artistic Creativity
Produced in both Russian and Arabic, the film presents a unique experience documenting the students’ journey to the Republic of Chechnya last year, where they filmed real-life scenes of Chechen nature and culture and conducted interviews with academic and cultural figures. This project marks a first-of-its-kind achievement in Gulf University’s history—its first international media production outside the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The documentary highlights aspects of daily life in Chechnya, its cultural and historical landmarks, and the rich heritage of the Chechen people, including their deep-rooted traditions of hospitality, art, and music. It also reflects Gulf University’s commitment to experiential learning and to encouraging students to apply their academic skills to real-world projects with humanitarian and cultural value.
Prof. Mohannad Al Firas, President of Gulf University, emphasized that the screening represents a major step forward in the university’s mission to establish a comprehensive educational experience that integrates theoretical knowledge, practical application, and artistic creativity.
“We are proud of our students, who brought the Chechen culture to Bahraini audiences through a rich field experience that combined learning, artistic production, and cultural exchange,” said Prof. Al Firas. “This film reflects not only their technical competence but also their deep understanding of the value of communication between nations.”
He added:
“Gulf University believes that media is a universal language that transcends borders. We therefore encourage our students to serve as ambassadors of knowledge and culture through their creative work. The filming experience in Chechnya demonstrated their ability to operate in international environments and to use communication as a tool for cultural dialogue.”
The screening was held as part of the university’s “Tareekhi” (My History) program, organized by the Language Center at Gulf University with the support of the Russian government, within the framework of the cooperation agreement between Gulf University and Chechen State Pedagogical University, aimed at promoting cultural understanding and academic exchange.
The event was attended by distinguished officials and cultural figures, including representatives from the Russian Embassy in Bahrain, members of the academic and
administrative staff at Gulf University, and a number of students and documentary film enthusiasts.
Attendees praised the film’s artistic and technical quality, commending the students’ ability to blend documentary storytelling with aesthetic cinematography showcasing Chechnya’s majestic mountains and natural beauty. The film stood out as a reflection of the students’ academic excellence and professional mastery in directing, filming, and production.
“Lady of the Mountain: A Story from Chechnya” represents one of Gulf University’s leading student projects, aligned with its vision to graduate qualified media professionals capable of representing Bahrain in regional and international forums, and to harness media as a bridge for cultural connection and human dialogue.
Keywords : Creative Learning, Gulf University, Lady Of The Mountain, Documentary Film, Chechnya, Russian Cultural Days, Cultural Exchange, Academic Collaboration, Artistic Creativity, Experiential Learning



