ABU DHABI // The line-up for the Abu Dhabi Film Festival was unveiled today, with around 80 films from across the world jostling for position in a busy 10-day schedule starting Thursday, October 13.
Alongside a selection of established Hollywood directors and actors will be a wide variety of emerging regional talent. “Our theme is always quality,” says festival executive director Peter Scarlet of the selection process.
Leading the A-list pack is political thriller The Ides of March, directed by and starring George Clooney. A Dangerous Method, directed by David Cronenburg, examines the relationship between Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, and stars Keira Knightley, Michael Fassbender and Viggo Mortensen. Steven Soderbergh's Contagion sees an all-star ensemble that includes Kate Winslet, Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Marion Cotillard all battling a global pandemic. Less contagious, but still troubling, is We Need To Talk About Kevin, the adaption of Lionel Shriver's award-winning novel about a fictitious high school massacre starring Tilda Swinton.
Among the regional titles is A Separation from Iranian director Ashgar Farhadi, whose previous film, the award-winning About Elly, was screened in Abu Dhabi two years ago. Another returnee is Iraqi director Mohamed Al Daradji, who follows up 2009's Son of Babylon with the documentary In My Mother's Arms, looking at an orphanage in Baghdad. The animation film Chicken With Plums, Marjane Satrapi's follow up to Persepolis, is likely to generate some interest, and features the voices of Isabella Rossellini and Golshifteh Farahani.
From the UAE comes the world premiere of Sea Shadow, the coming-of-age film from Emirati director Nawaf Al Janahi and the first Emirati project from Imagenation, part of Abu Dhabi Media.
As part of a section focussing on Swedish cinema, three films from Ingmar Bergman – Wild Strawberries, Fanny and Alexander and Smiles of a Summer Night – will be screened, alongside the documentary The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975, made up of footage taken by Swedish journalists covering the Civil Rights movement in the US.
Another special category will celebrate the works of Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz on the 100th anniversary of his birth, with eight films based on his books screening at the festival, all by leading Egyptian directors.
Of the numerous documentaries in the line-up, two come from filmmaking masters. Cave of Forgotten Dreams from Werner Herzog brings to life – with the help of 3D – the prehistoric paintings in the Chauvet cave in France. Then there's George Harrison: Living in the Material World by Martin Scorsese, looking at the life of the former Beatle.
A major change for the festival this year is the venue. Previously based in the Emirates Palace, this year much of the activity – including the red carpet screenings – will take place at the 500-seater Abu Dhabi Theatre near the Marina Mall. Each evening, by the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, there will be outdoor screenings, with space for an audience of 1,200.
Tickets for the festival are due to go on sale September 25. Visit www.abudhabifilmfestival.ae for more details. The movie line-up above is subject to change. Please check the Abu Dhabi Film Festival website regularly for updates.
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yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
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Price, base: Dh429,090
Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
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Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm
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Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
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 BIO: Mohammed Ashiq Ali
Proudest achievement: “I came to a new country and started this shop”
Favourite TV programme: the news
Favourite place in Dubai: Al Fahidi. “They started the metro in 2009 and I didn’t take it yet.”
Family: six sons in Dubai and a daughter in Faisalabad
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray
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.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, Group C
Liverpool v Red Star Belgrade
Anfield, Liverpool
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
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In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
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SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
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On sale: Now
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE WARRIORS RESULTS
Featherweight
Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)
TKO round 2
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Split points decision
Welterweight
Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)
TKO round 1
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Unanimous points decision
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
TKO round 1
Catchweight 100kg
Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)
Rear neck choke round 1
Featherweight
James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)
TKO round 2
Welterweight
Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Unanimous points decision
Bantamweight
Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Unanimous points decision
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)
TKO round 1
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)
TKO round 3
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Submission round 2
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
TKO round 2
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Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.