Bollywood star and L'Oréal ambassador Aishwarya Rai Bachchan may well have caused boats to crash on Tuesday as she posed for cameras on the Cannes dock at the photo call for her film Jazbaa. The 41-year old wore a Bordeaux-coloured Oscar de la Renta organza and silk taffeta gown with layered lattices that gave a classic gown a fashion-forward twist. See Arts&Life on Sunday for our exclusive interview with the actress.
Female stars complete charity road trip
The celebrity charity car rally Cash & Rocket roared into Cannes on Tuesday, with stars including Furious 7 actress Michelle Rodriguez, model Jodie Kidd and singer Natalie Imbruglia. Seventy women are selected each year from the worlds of fashion, film, music and art to travel Europe in a glamorous convoy of 35 red cars. The rally began in Paris and went to Lyon and Milan before arriving at the finish line in Cannes – 1,717 kilometres and five days later. This year, it was raising money for the charities Oafrica, Sumbandila and Shine on Sierra Leone – which helps poor women and children in the developing world.
Film sheds light on US war on drugs
Denis Villeneuve debuted his drug-war thriller Sicario at Cannes, a saga that plunges deep into Mexico only to reveal more about the other side of the border. "For me, the movie's not about Mexico," said Villeneuve. "The movie's about America." Emily Blunt stars as an FBI agent who joins a task force led by a cocky CIA operative (Josh Brolin). They're joined by a mysterious Colombian, played by Benicio del Toro, as they carry out clandestine raids on Mexico and other illicit activities in an attempt to bring down a cartel boss. "We are living in a time where grey zones are more blurred than ever," said Villeneuve.
Rossellini presents Bergman film
There's no getting away from Ingrid Bergman at this year's festival. Her youthful eyes stare out from giant billboards in town, special film screenings celebrate her classic movies and her daughter, actress Isabella Rossellini, is at the festival as jury president of the Un Certain Regard competition. On Tuesday, Rossellini, 62, also presented a documentary, directed by Stig Björkman, called Ingrid Bergman – In Her Own Words. It uses never-before-seen documents, diaries, letters and personal images from Bergman to tell the incredible story of how a young Swedish girl won three Oscars and became one of the most respected actresses in world cinema.
DiCaprio's charity gift for mum
Who knew Leonardo DiCaprio had an eye for Chanel bags? The actor paid €10,000 for a blue Chanel neoprene flap bag embroidered with flowers on the Croisette at Cannes. It was all for charity, part of an auction at the Heart Fund Gala, also attended by Paris Hilton, actor Gary Dourdan and featuring a performance by Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def). It was also for his mother – he said he would be giving it to her. The auction was in aid of The Heart Fund, which offers cardiovascular care around the globe for impoverished children. Heart surgeons donate their services to perform operations that would otherwise be unaffordable.
* AP
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Scoreline
UAE 2-1 Saudi Arabia
UAE Mabkhout 21’, Khalil 59’
Saudi Al Abed (pen) 20’
Man of the match Ahmed Khalil (UAE)
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster