Red carpet roll out

A scene from Omar, the first Arab movie to open DIFF in its landmark tenth edition

IN A FITTING but unexpected twist, the landmark tenth edition of the Dubai International Film Festival has decided for the first time to open with an Arab title, marking a major shift in the festival’s focus.

Omar, by Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe winning Palestinian director Hany Abu Assad will raise the curtain on the decennial edition on December 6. The acclaimed feature marks the return to the festival for Assad whose Paradise Now opened the second edition of DIFF.

Every year for DIFF has been a race to attract the biggest names from Hollywood and Bollywood, helping to put the global spotlight on Dubai’s still infant film industry.

While recognising the importance of having A-listers grace the red carpet, DIFF Chairman Abdulhamid Juma is adamant about the need to focus more energy on Arab cinema and emerging talent from across the Middle East.

“Film festivals are not only about red carpets…it’s only one pillar of a successful festival. After eight days we will roll back up the carpet and we want something else to stay,” Juma said at a press conference yesterday.

“We really decided to go back to our roots and celebrate Arab cinema. This is what we’re here for and this is what we need.”

But the festival will not be entirely without big names. During the closing night, DIFF will be the first festival to feature David O Russell’s American Hustle, starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Louis CK and Robert De Niro. Some of the film’s stars are expected to attend, but no names have yet been confirmed.

The festival will screen a total of 174 features, shorts and documentaries including 70 world premieres and 11 international premieres from 57 countries in 43 languages from both established and upcoming talent over a nine day celebration.

The line-up includes over 100 films from the Arab world, highlighting the thriving film culture within the region and increased interest in Arab cinema from audiences around the world.

DIFF will present its Lifetime Achievement Awards to multi Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Martin Sheen, one of the greatest actors of his generation with a career that has seen him appear in more than 65 films. Sheen will take to the stage for an ‘In conversation’ event in the Souk Madinat Jumeirah Theatre on December 8.

The Arab Lifetime Achievement Award goes to veteran Egyptian film critic Samir Farid. Samir is a giant in his field, and has been tireless in promoting cinema, both within the Arab world and beyond, for fifty years.

International celebrities flying into Dubai include Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Mark Ruffalo, Abigail Breslin, Berenice Marlohe, Jim Sheridan and Stephan Lang.

English film actor Andy Serkis, the man behind Lord of the Rings character Gollum, will take part in the newly launched Cinematic Innovation Summit alongside other industry professionals and directors.

A-list Arab celebrities set to grace the red-carpet include Hassan Youssef, Yosra, Ezzat El-Alaily, Nelly, Mimi Gamal, Abdel Aziz Jassem Asmahan and Shojoun.