The Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation will host the red-carpet premiere of “Samson of Arabia: The Story of an Emirati Hero,” a feature-length documentary film written, directed, and produced by acclaimed Emirati filmmaker and author Nasser Al Dhaheri, on Saturday, October 31, at 6pm at VOX Cinemas, Wafi Mall, Dubai. The screening will take place as part of the Al Owais Film Club’s activities, in the presence of the film’s protagonist, known as “Samson of Arabia,” and director Nasser Al Dhaheri.
Produced in 2025, the 70-minute documentary chronicles the legendary life of one of the most iconic figures deeply etched in the collective memory of the UAE and the Gulf region during the 1960s and 1970s.
Speaking about the film, director Nasser Al Dhaheri said: “When we were children, we used to hear stories about this legendary strongman, sometimes known as Samson of Arabia and other times as Samson the Mighty. We would gather around to watch his performances in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the other emirates. His mere presence was a spectacle in itself. As we grew older, we continued to follow his news and photographs, which graced the covers of Lebanese and Egyptian magazines and featured prominently in Arab and international newspapers. His fame rivalled that of leading artists, and he had admirers from countries across the world and of all ages.
Throughout his career, Samson of Arabia performed extraordinary feats of strength that remain etched in people’s memories. These included having rocks broken on his stomach and back, allowing cars to drive over his hands and feet, pulling vehicles with his hair, lifting heavy weights with his teeth, lying on broken glass, and even lifting a donkey with his teeth.
The giant strongman was known for his long hair, thick beard, and distinctive leopard-skin-style outfit, complete with leather belts and bands wrapped around his waist and wrists. He was given the title “Samson of Arabia” by the late King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan and “Samson the Mighty” by the late Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. However, he chose to retain the former, which became so widely recognized that it was officially adopted as his name on his national identity card and passport by order of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who was the Ruler of Dubai. His real name, Ali bin Hassan, gradually faded behind the legend.
The documentary highlights Samson of Arabia’s role as an unofficial ambassador for the UAE during its founding years, proudly championing the country’s name in every city he visited. He financed his travels with the little money he had, relying on earnings from his performances and contributions from admirers across the Arab world.
Today, at over 80 years old, after a remarkable career marked by extraordinary feats, achievements and fame, after having bid farewell to his lifelong companion “Delilah”, Samson lives alone, facing isolation and limited mobility. Yet the echoes of cheering crowds in stadiums and theatres still resonate in his ears, rekindling his sense of pride and enduring love of challenge.
