DUBAI // Few Emirati films made much of a splash at the Dubai International Film Festival during its first five years. But organisers hope to reverse that trend this year with a screening of City of Life, the country's first big-budget feature film.
"We are confident that City of Life will inspire more Emirati film makers to realise their dreams of making meaningful movies," said Masoud al Ali, the event's artistic director.
The festival, which begins tonight with a premiere of the musical Nine, features 168 films including 10 from the Gulf and 66 from the Arab region from 55 countries over the next eight days.
While there has been a strong input from countries such as Iran and Palestine since the event began, contributions from the UAE have been limited.
City of Life, by the Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa, is about three young adults coping with life in Dubai.
The film features an international cast including the Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels actor Jason Flemyng, and had an estimated budget of Dh26 million (US$7m).
The aim of the festival was to create a "vibrant Arab industry", Mr al Ali said.
"DIFF will highlight the evolution of Arab cinema with an Arabian Nights selection, and we continue to focus our attention on promoting it through the Muhr Arab awards," he said.
"We are confident some of the finds will blaze a trail in the global film circuit."
Nashen Moodley, the director of the festival's Asian and African film segment, said: "The films we have chosen represent what is happening in the Arab world today, from Iraq to Kyrgyzstan and Mauretania.
"There are so many problems that Arab filmmakers are just beginning to discuss."
The festival opens amid a burgeoning art house movie scene in the Emirates. The country's first permanent venue for screening independent films opened last month in Dubai Mall.
The line-up at Picturehouse, located at Reel Cinemas, has included Paper Heart, a documentary about love; The Loop, which focuses on two superpowers waging war; and the comedy Cold Souls.
It has doubled the efforts of the Scene Club, a roving film lovers' group which celebrates offbeat movies but has no permanent home. The organisation is run by one of the Emirates' few film producers, Nayla al Khaja, who launched D-Seven Motion Pictures two years ago with the help of DIFF.
Gordon Kirk, the general manager of Reel Cinemas, said there was a "new wave of cinema in the UAE".
"For serious movie lovers, it will bring a wide array of exciting classics, art house and independent films, which will spark debates among our patrons," he said.
Abdulhamid Juma, the chairman of the festival, said there was plenty of scope for filmmakers and venues.
"We try to help as much as we can in terms of funding and bringing people together to share their experiences," he said.
"The rest is down to the filmmakers themselves."
He said the festival gave movie-goers the chance to see films not offered the rest of the year.
"There is an appetite for art house films here, and that is our challenge," he said. "In certain places, such as Colorado, where I studied and first picked up a love for film, there is a film culture.
"I think Dubai is ready for that now."
As well as more obscure films, the festival will feature mainstream movies such as Avatar, James Cameron's epic adventure; Alvin and the Chipmunks; and Rocket Singh Salesman of the Year.
The list of stars attending the festival includes Amitabh Bachchan, Omar Sharif, Gerard Butler, Christina Ricci and Faten Hamama.
Tonight's opener Nine is a musical from Rob Marshall, the director of Chicago, with a cast including Daniel Day-Lewis, Dame Judi Dench, Sophia Loren, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson and Penelope Cruz.
tyaqoob@thenational.ae
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
The Lowdown
Kesari
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Anubhav Singh
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra
Other promotions
- Deliveroo will team up with Pineapple Express to offer customers near JLT a special treat: free banana caramel dessert with all orders on January 26
- Jones the Grocer will have their limited edition Australia Day menu available until the end of the month (January 31)
- Australian Vet in Abu Dhabi (with locations in Khalifa City A and Reem Island) will have a 15 per cent off all store items (excluding medications)
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.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Company%20profile%20
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COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
'Manmarziyaan' (Colour Yellow Productions, Phantom Films)
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal
Rating: 3.5/5
TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
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On sale: now
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
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2024%20Dubai%20Marathon%20Results
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
If you go
The Flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.
The trip
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.
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Draw
Quarter-finals
Real Madrid (ESP) or Manchester City (ENG) v Juventus (ITA) or Lyon (FRA)
RB Leipzig (GER) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Barcelona (ESP) or Napoli (ITA) v Bayern Munich (GER) or Chelsea (ENG)
Atalanta (ITA) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Ties to be played August 12-15 in Lisbon
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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