DUBAI // The celebrities included the Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan and the American actress and singer Mandy Moore. But the real stars of Dubai International Film Festival's opening night were two relative newcomers.
Natalie Dormer and Sonu Sood may have several decades less experience than more veteran actors, but they drew the biggest crowd at the gala opening of the festival, now in its sixth year.
Their latest film, City of Life, has tongues wagging in the movie industry as the first big-budget feature film to emerge from the Emirates. As they took to the red carpet yesterday alongside the film's UAE-born director, Ali Mostafa, the stars compared it to the 2004 Oscar-winning movie Crash.
"You just know. I thought it was incredibly compelling and a gripping story so I jumped at the chance to be in it," said Dormer, the 27-year-old British actress who was wearing a black puffball dress with a neck motif by the British designer Alice Temperley.
Dormer, who starred alongside Heath Ledger in Casanova and as Anne Boleyn in the Showtime series The Tudors, said none of the cast had watched the final edit of the film and would see it for the first time tomorrow.
Last night was the Middle East premiere of the US musical Nine, directed by Rob Marshall and starring such heavyweights as Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren and Judy Dench, none of whom attended the showing.
Bachchan, who was last night presented with a lifetime achievement award by Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid, the son of the Ruler of Dubai, said he was "greatly humbled" by the honour. "I am very grateful to the people of Dubai for honouring me in this way," he said.
"I love the fact that, over the years, every time I have come they have shown me so much affection and love and I wish them the very best."
He said the Bollywood industry had evolved considerably since he first appeared on the big screen in the 1970s.
"We move along with the time," he said. "Countries change and people change and cinema is a reflection of that. It is a fantastic industry to be in nearly 40 years on."
He added he had no plans to retire, saying: "We are still working."
Moore, 25, the American singer and actress, was in Dubai for the first time. She was invited to perform at the Amfar charity gala tonight.
Looking resplendent on the red carpet in a black Escada gown and dripping in Cartier diamonds, she said: "It is difficult to say whether I prefer acting or singing as this is a film festival. I like getting the opportunity to do both, but music is what I am most passionate about."
The Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala, 39, also dazzled at the gala in a shalwar kameez with a shimmering gold dupatta. She said: "I was last here while doing a film shoot five years ago and everything has been completely built up since my last trip. It is very glamorous."
Koirala, who recently had a legal wrangle with a producer after she claimed a body double was used to film racy scenes in Ek Chotisi Love Story, said scripts could sometimes involve raunchy shots.
"The world is transforming and becoming smaller and a lot of Bollywood is adapting to the West," she said. "Personally I do not like it but I do not want to criticise other people for doing it."
Others on the red carpet failed to emulate her modest attire. The necklines were plunging, the hemlines were high and the jewellery dazzling as female actresses competed for the most glamorous outfits.
The stars gathering for the opening included Arab celebrities such as Nelly Karim and Elham Shahin, both from Egypt; Queen Noor of Jordan; and Samir Ghanem, drawing sideways glances with an odd get-up that included a black wig, an animal print jacket he designed himself and designer sunglasses.
Also on the red carpet was the award-winning Indian actor Mammootty, 56, who has made more than 300 films for Malayalam cinema.
"I feel at home here," he said. "There are a lot of people from Kerala where I was born and I have a large fan base here."
The festival runs for eight days and includes the Middle Eastern premiere of Avatar, James Cameron's new epic, as well as 66 Arab films. A total of 168 films from 55 countries will be shown.
@Email:tyaqoob@thenational.ae
Company%20Profile
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One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
The%20specs
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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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
More coverage from the Future Forum
If%20you%20go
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Ovo's tips to find extra heat
- Open your curtains when it’s sunny
- Keep your oven open after cooking
- Have a cuddle with pets and loved ones to help stay cosy
- Eat ginger but avoid chilli as it makes you sweat
- Put on extra layers
- Do a few star jumps
- Avoid alcohol
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
The%20specs
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RESULTS
Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO
Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke
Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke
Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO
Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision
Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision
Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO
Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)
Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)
Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision
Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke
Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO
Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision
KLOPP%20AT%20LIVERPOOL
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The%20specs
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Women%E2%80%99s%20Asia%20Cup
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'Gehraiyaan'
Director:Shakun Batra
Stars:Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa
Rating: 4/5
Day 5, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Given the problems Sri Lanka have had in recent times, it was apt the winning catch was taken by Dinesh Chandimal. He is one of seven different captains Sri Lanka have had in just the past two years. He leads in understated fashion, but by example. His century in the first innings of this series set the shock win in motion.
Stat of the day This was the ninth Test Pakistan have lost in their past 11 matches, a run that started when they lost the final match of their three-Test series against West Indies in Sharjah last year. They have not drawn a match in almost two years and 19 matches, since they were held by England at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi in 2015.
The verdict Mickey Arthur basically acknowledged he had erred by basing Pakistan’s gameplan around three seam bowlers and asking for pitches with plenty of grass in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Why would Pakistan want to change the method that has treated them so well on these grounds in the past 10 years? It is unlikely Misbah-ul-Haq would have made the same mistake.
Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
- Steve Baker
- Peter Bone
- Ben Bradley
- Andrew Bridgen
- Maria Caulfield
- Simon Clarke
- Philip Davies
- Nadine Dorries
- James Duddridge
- Mark Francois
- Chris Green
- Adam Holloway
- Andrea Jenkyns
- Anne-Marie Morris
- Sheryll Murray
- Jacob Rees-Mogg
- Laurence Robertson
- Lee Rowley
- Henry Smith
- Martin Vickers
- John Whittingdale
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
