Dubai // A star cast of veteran and young Arab and British actors may provide the leverage a young Lebanese filmmaker needs to break into the competitive, multimillion-dollar feature film industry.
For a budding filmmaker like Beirut-born Nour Wazzi, the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) is about showcasing plans and reaching out to potential partners to realise the long-cherished dream of making feature films.
Well-known names such as the Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass, the Palestinian French actress Yasmine al Massri and the British actor Jimmy Akingbola - who acted in Wazzi's short film, Habibti - have committed to her planned feature.
Wazzi believes this will appeal to investors she meets at the festival.
"I'm lucky I'm an Arab and there is a lot of support coming from the Arab world these days," Wazzi said. "I think promoting culture is important because of a negative stereotype that Arabs have in society nowadays."
Habibti has its premiere on Saturday and Sunday in the Diff Muhr Arab Awards official competition.
In the film, a conservative mother, played by Abbass, is shocked to find her estranged daughter living with a boyfriend in London when she pays her a surprise visit.
The camera captures the tension between the three characters and the pain in the mother's eyes when her reason for leaving Beirut is revealed to be her husband's death.
"The lives of a lot of women here are centred around their husbands, and once they lose them their lives lose momentum, so they have to reinvent themselves," said Wazzi, who lives in London and produces documentaries and short films.
"What connects the mother and boyfriend is the daughter, who is their middle ground. She is their habibti - their darling, their love."
Venues like the Diff help independent filmmakers make contact with investors looking for new projects. Those projects, experts say, must be compelling and have realistic budgets.
"It's not hard to meet people at festivals, the thing is to convert the meeting into money," said Nicolas Forzy, an independent producer and founder of Dubai-based 4Z productions, which focuses on Emirati directors and writers. "The key thing for this region is to start small, with local stories."
Forzy, a French national, said keeping the budget low would help first-timers.
"The feedback I get from sales professionals is that any film budget close to US$2 million (Dh7.3m) is expensive," Forzy said. "Most films in the region are in the $1m to $1.5m mark. The risk for the investor with a new director must be significantly low."
About 220 films are being showcased from contemporary Arab, Asian and African cinema, and the festival also hosts workshops to aid young filmmakers.
Shivani Pandya, the Diff managing director, said the festival aimed to address concerns of new entrants.
"We have tried to be very strategic with the guidance, workshops, support and advice that is given," Ms Pandya said. "The first thing young directors should realise is that they must have a producer to handle the business side. It is the connections we hope people will make here that will help them."
Saima Duhare, a British theatre actor and director visiting from London, is hoping to make a crucial jump into cinema. She recently got an executive producer onboard to help kick-start her search for financiers.
"The biggest challenge is how do you convince people that you can make a good film," said Duhare, who was born in Lahore, Pakistan, and grew up in Birmingham. "Passion doesn't always work."
She aims to turn her theatrical production into a feature film. Her production, I'm a Londoner, explores a British Muslim woman's discovery that her lover's disappearance in London is inextricably tied to her younger brother's death in Afghanistan.
The production won praise as "extraordinary real and moving" from The British Theatre Guide.
Duhare hopes to interest financiers in a film with a diverse cast including eastern European, Nigerian, Irish and Muslim characters to tell the story of urban London.
She aims to use the theme that brought people into the theatre as the draw for her planned movie.
"Like the play, the movie is about people who get shunned, who get left out," she said. "I know they have fascinating stories to tell."
rtalwar@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Pathaan
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MATCH INFO
Everton 0
Manchester City 2 (Laporte 45 2', Jesus 90 7')
Copa del Rey
Barcelona v Real Madrid
Semi-final, first leg
Wednesday (midnight UAE)
COPA DEL REY
Semi-final, first leg
Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')
Second leg, February 27
Sour%20Grapes
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THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
The%20specs
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Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Day 2, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dinesh Chandimal has inherited a challenging job, after being made Sri Lanka’s Test captain. He responded in perfect fashion, with an easy-natured century against Pakistan. He brought up three figures with a majestic cover drive, which he just stood and admired.
Stat of the day – 33 It took 33 balls for Dilruwan Perera to get off the mark. His time on zero was eventful enough. The Sri Lankan No 7 was given out LBW twice, but managed to have both decisions overturned on review. The TV replays showed both times that he had inside edged the ball onto his pad.
The verdict In the two previous times these two sides have met in Abu Dhabi, the Tests have been drawn. The docile nature of proceedings so far makes that the likely outcome again this time, but both sides will be harbouring thoughts that they can force their way into a winning position.
Jebel Ali results
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 64,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: One Vision, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gabr, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
4pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 96,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
4.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Torno Subito, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Untold Secret, Jose Santiago, Salem bin Ghadayer
The specs
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Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
Profile of Tamatem
Date started: March 2013
Founder: Hussam Hammo
Based: Amman, Jordan
Employees: 55
Funding: $6m
Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media
2021 World Triathlon Championship Series
May 15: Yokohama, Japan
June 5: Leeds, UK
June 24: Montreal, Canada
July 10: Hamburg, Germany
Aug 17-22: Edmonton, Canada (World Triathlon Championship Final)
Nov 5-6 : Abu Dhabi, UAE
Date TBC: Chengdu, China
The Bio
Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.
Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UAE%20SQUAD
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
MATCH INFO
Arsenal 1 (Aubameyang 12’) Liverpool 1 (Minamino 73’)
Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties
Man of the Match: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal)
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
