The 1960s were an important time for the Arab film industry. Referred to as the “golden age of cinema”, the decade saw a new generation of directors, writers and actors emerge in a variety of genres in both black-and-white and colour films.
From romantic comedies starring two of the decade's most popular actors, Rushdy Abaza and Soad Hosny, to stark neorealist dramas, Arab films of the 1960s remain influential to contemporary culture.
We round up eight diverse films that should be on your watch list.
Al Zouga Talattashar (The 13th Wife), 1962
Celebrated actress Shadia stars in this comedy of errors alongside renowned actor and heart throb Rushdy Abaza.
Shadia plays Aida, a single and frustrated woman who finally meets the man of her dreams, Murad. They marry and Shadia prepares to live out the rest of their life in idyllic marital bliss.
However, she soon discovers that her new husband has previously been married twelve times, is an infamous womaniser and isn’t planning to take their relationship seriously despite walking down the aisle.
Blinded by rage, Aida employs the help of all of Murad’s exes in order to teach him a lesson and force him to renounce his ways by making his daily life a misery.
Umm Al Arousa (Mother of the Bride), 1963
The popular comedy starring Imad Hamdi is an insight into familial life and the financial struggles of Egypt’s lower-middle class.
Hamdi plays Husain, a married government clerk and father of four daughters and three sons. While facing the daily struggles of heading a large family, his two eldest daughters become involved with two eligible young men and want to get married.
To please his daughters and be able to afford the elaborate requests made by the groom’s ostentatious family, Husain makes the mistake of embezzling money from a financial trust in his division (with the intention of paying it back).
Husain’s actions lead to a number of challenges placing him and his family at risk, and open to social ridicule and judgment.
El Sahera El Saghira (The Little Charmer Girl), 1963
Hosny, one the Arab world’s most beloved actresses, stars in this comedy drama, sharing the screen with Abaza – one of their many successful films together.
The film follows the story of a young woman Hania, played by Hosny, who, having never met her father, is on a journey to find him. In the meantime, she meets Essmat, played by Abaza, and believes him to be her father.
Essmat plays along at first because Hania’s father owes him money and he hopes the ruse will help him get it back, but finds himself falling for Hania. This leaves him and Hania in an strange and awkward predicament.
Bayn Al Qasrain (Between Two Palaces), 1964
The first of three films based on the novels of Nobel Prize-winning author Naguib Mahfouz's The Cairo Trilogy, Bayn Al Qasrain chronicles the lives of the Jawad family at the beginning of the 1919 Egyptian revolution.
Like the novel, the film depicts the series of events that plague the head of the Jawad family, Ahmed Abdul, and the effect this has on his children within the context of the charged social and political climate of the time.
As his eldest son follows in his father’s womanising and patriotic footsteps, another joins a secret political organisation – reflecting the polarising sides many Egyptians took at the time.
The film was followed by a second and third instalment – Qasir Al Shouwiq (The Palace of Desire) in 1967 and Al Sukarya (Sugar Street) in 1973.
Al Haram (The Sin), 1965
A sombre insight into the struggles of peasant women in Egypt and the oppression of workers in the lower classes, the film stars beloved Egyptian actress Faten Hamama in one of her most memorable roles.
It follows the story of Azziza and her struggles as a peasant worker. The sole provider for herself and her husband (who is suffering from an illness), she is one day assaulted by a guard.
After discovering that she is pregnant as a result of the assault, Azziza is left with the challenges and the few choices a woman of her class must face in the small community she belongs to.
Adou Al Maraa (A Woman’s Enemy), 1966
By the mid 1960s, Abaza had cemented himself as the go-to actor to play loveable rogue playboys. He was able to give nuance to the role of the philanderer who is open to changing his ways given the right circumstances and the right woman.
He reprises the role for this incredibly popular romantic comedy where he plays a renowned author and thinker, Dr Issa, popular for his hostility and distrust towards women. While appearing as a guest on a popular TV show, he causes great public offense by sharing his thoughts and ignites the wrath of Nadia, played by Nadia Lutfi.
Smart, naive and determined, Nadia makes a bet with her girlfriends that she can discover the reason why Issa is so hateful towards women while seducing him.
As Nadia puts her plan into action and the two meet and grow close, Issa’s life is turned upside down. Not only does Issa begin to question his perspectives, he also has to reconcile a dark period in his past. Meanwhile Nadia has to face the reality that her actions towards Issa are reaffirming his extremely hostile thoughts towards women.
Saghira Ala Al Hob (Too Young for Love), 1966
Perhaps one of the most beloved and iconic Arab romantic comedies of all time – once again Abaza and Hosny – this film's premise might be seen as slightly strange in today's context. But at the time, it was considered a playful and innocent story of romance wrapped in slapstick humour.
The story follows Kamal, played by Abaza, a television producer, in search of a young unknown talented girl to star in his new television project that’s set to make his career.
Samihah, played by Hosny, is an unknown actress desperate for fame. When she sees the casting call for Kamal’s new show, she decides to audition but disguises herself as a 13-year-old girl to give her a better chance of getting the part.
She is cast mainly for her mature singing voice, and is forced to keep up the ruse of being a child while also pretending to be her own older sister.
Al Zawja Al Thaniya (The Second Wife), 1967
Hosny shows off her range as an actress in this social drama directed by Salah Abouseif, who established the neorealist style of Egyptian cinema. The film follows the story of Fatma, a married woman in a small farming village.
When the corrupt village mayor, played by actor Salah Mansour, sets his eyes on her, he abuses his power to manipulate the breakdown of Fatma’s marriage and forces her to be his second wife, to the detriment of his own family.
Once married to him, Fatma realises how much the mayor abuses and robs the villagers of their rights without their knowledge, and she plans to destroy the little empire he’s built from the inside out.
The five pillars of Islam
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340km/h
Price: Dh1,000,885
On sale: now
'Panga'
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Directed by: Michael Fimognari
Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
Two stars
Ukraine
Capital: Kiev
Population: 44.13 million
Armed conflict in Donbass
Russia-backed fighters control territory
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
more from Janine di Giovanni
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV
Power: 360bhp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh282,870
On sale: now
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Valencia v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Mallorca v Alaves (4pm)
Barcelona v Getafe (7pm)
Villarreal v Levante (9.30pm)
Sunday
Granada v Real Volladolid (midnight)
Sevilla v Espanyol (3pm)
Leganes v Real Betis (5pm)
Eibar v Real Sociedad (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner: Arjan, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Jap Nazaa, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi.
6pm: Al Ruwais Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 1,200m
Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinal.
6.30pm: Shadwell Gold Cup Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Sanad, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
7pm: Shadwell Farm Stallions Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Dubai Canal, Harry Bentley, Satish Seemar.
