Tom Cruise has arrived in Abu Dhabi ahead of the Middle East premiere of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.
The star landed on Sunday, on the first flight into the new Midfield Terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The terminal is featured in the newest instalment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, with one of its major stunts filmed on its dune-shaped curved roof. The interior of the terminal will also be revealed to the public for the first time in the film.
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Cruise also unveiled the new livery on an Etihad Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner that features Mission: Impossible branding on its engines. The plane will carry the livery as it travels to destinations around the globe. Etihad is the official airline for the new film, which will be released in the UAE on July 9.
The Midfield Terminal has been decorated with Mission: Impossible branding to celebrate its starring role in the film. Several purpose-built sets were made for the film, including an Etihad First Class Lounge.
Some scenes, which required 21 days of preparation, were set in the Liwa Desert and filmed over the course of a week. They involved 762 cast, crew and suppliers.
The regional premiere of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is scheduled to take place on Monday at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. Several of the film’s talents are expected to attend, including Cruise, along with director Christopher McQuarrie, and stars Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell and Pom Klementieff.
Pegg shared his experience of flying with Etihad on Instagram on Sunday.
His reel featured the Mission: Impossible-branded in-flight menu and snaps of a special cupcake and bag of salted popcorn both carrying the film’s name.
The actor finished the post with a video of him being driven through Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is not the first film in the franchise to have been shot in the UAE.
In 2018, a high-altitude skydiving scene was shot in Abu Dhabi for Mission: Impossible – Fallout, with support from the UAE military, Abu Dhabi Film Commission and twofour54. Furthermore, key scenes in the 2011 film Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol were filmed in Dubai, including the famous Burj Khalifa scene that features Cruise’s character Ethan Hunt climbing the exterior of the 828-metre structure.
Elena Sorlini, acting chief executive of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “We are delighted to welcome Tom Cruise, the cast and crew of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One back to Abu Dhabi.”
“We’re proud of our role in the film and our contribution to Abu Dhabi as a destination that attracts global talent. The scenes showcased in the movie are a testament to the architecture, scale and design of the iconic Midfield Terminal, which is inspired by the cultural elements of Abu Dhabi.”
Antonoaldo Neves, group chief executive of Etihad Aviation Group, added: “Partnering with Mission: Impossible is a great testament to destination Abu Dhabi and what it has to offer. I couldn’t be prouder of Abu Dhabi and our team in showcasing the unique attractions of the emirate, our new airport and Etihad in the movie.”
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School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
