a film for everyone

a film for everyone,,
this is the slogan of the Dubai International Film Festival. it is pretty good and reflecting the truth.

I wish I could understand what is written on her face. I assume one of DIFF's slogan is written.
With calligraphy Arabic alphabet turns into great graphic design.  

Nearby Sky

Dubai International Film Festival has started officially on Wednesday. Starting from Thursday I am trying to attend all movies which are suit my timing.

Today,  I want to share this picture from the Q&A section of local documentary called Nearby Sky. directed by Nujoom Al Ghanem, You can see her as second left on the picture. I couldn't take better one, I didn't want to interrupt anyone during Q&A, wanted to wait till end but I couldn't wait that much :)

The movie is about Fatima Ali Al Hameli. She is UAE's first Emirati women camel owner to enter her camel in the country's camel beauty competition and participate camel auctions. in the picture she is standing in the middle, next to her son.

She has really strong personality. She knows what she wants to do, and working hard for that.
If you watch the trailer from here, You will have an idea about her character and the documentary itself.

"a daughter of men, challenges men, I am a wolf, and they are wolves, by God's will, I'll eat them" these are her words about man who rejects her participations to auctions, competitions ect. In the documentary also we could see what man thinks about her ambition.

Some of them rejects totally, Some of them accept but with conditions "OK. She can participate but it is not nice to stand here by herself among all other man, She can appoint someone on behalf of her,"

Some of them are just surprised and don't know how to response, The answer from them is like "it has never been done by women, this is the first time, of course she can do it, but why?"

Even her sons learnt that she was in one of auction from TV, after the first shock they support her and wish all the best for her. She has support from local media, she has a lot of fan from everywhere. I checked her account right now, she has around 1.2K followers on Instagram. I guess, after this documentary number of her fans will be increased.

She married on the age 15, She never went to school, can not read right now. Her assistant read for her. What she says, "we didn't have a right to go to school earlier, thanks to Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan we have rights now.. " Now, she wants to use all her rights and challenges the traditional mindset.

DIFF - 2014

Dubai International Film Festival is starting today with the gala screening of Theory of Everything.

I was so excited about this film. I put it at the top of my "must see" list. I faced the disappointing reality at box office. "by invitation only" the tickets were not on sale.

I bought couple of tickets for the rest of the festival. I really like this festival here in Dubai. Because you can watch very different movies all around world, Indian, Iranian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Korean, American, Jordanian, Italian ect.. documentaries, drama, comedy, musical, fiction,

the best part is zero censorship, which is so precious here.

If you wonder which films will be on screen, here is the schedule,

Ps. Sorry for the poor quality of the picture. I took it last year with my small compact camera.

Burj Al Arab from Madinat Souq

I took this picture from the most popular shooting point at Madinat Souq after Gala showing of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom..

There was an after party and all those bright lights coming from the party area.

I have several pictures of Burj Al Arab from the exactly same point. Even though the bright overexposed part in this picture, i like the light beams over Burj Al Arab, that's why i wanted to post this one.
cheers

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. 
Definetly this movie was the one of sold out movies when tickets were available for the 10th of Dubai Film Festival. 
the schedule was already set earlier. The Gala planned for the 10th of December. It just crossed by coincidence with the official memorial ceremony for Nelson Mandela held in South Africa.

Normally all spot lights are on at the red carpet, but today, it was only lighted up with candles along with the red carpet to show the respect. I noticed also many people were dressed up respectfully for Nelson Mandela. Even i saw local man in black kandura (normally it is white)
after moment of silence movie was on the screen.
RIP Mandale..

Madinat Theater

Q&A section after Lebanese Movie "Stable Unstable"

Today is the 4th day of the Dubai International Film Festival . A Lebanese Movie Stable Unstable was on the screen. I took this picture during Q&A section with director and leading actors.

It was interesting movie. I stayed for a while for Q&A but i had to catch another movie in different location so i had to leave little bit early.

Madinat Theatre is the first purpose build theatre in Dubai, opened in 2004. Madinat Theater hosts several local and international shows, theater, opera, bale, and concerts.

10th DIFF - Dubai International Film Festival

This year Dubai International Film Festival reach 10th year.
The Motto is "A film for everyone"

it will start on 6th of December on Friday with the gala of OMAR and will continue to till 14th of December.
Tickets are available online and also from the DIFF kiosks at Mall of Emirates and Medinat Souq.

You can reach official web site from here. The variety of films are really good and i observed the festival is getting better and stronger with every year.