The Bride with White Hair will screen at Cinema Akil as part of the Hong Kong Film Festival. Photo: Mandarin Film
The Bride with White Hair will screen at Cinema Akil as part of the Hong Kong Film Festival. Photo: Mandarin Film
The Bride with White Hair will screen at Cinema Akil as part of the Hong Kong Film Festival. Photo: Mandarin Film
The Bride with White Hair will screen at Cinema Akil as part of the Hong Kong Film Festival. Photo: Mandarin Film

Culture

Film & TV

Eight films screening at Cinema Akil’s 2025 Hong Kong Film Festival

Presented by the Asian Film Awards Academy, the selection ranges from the dramatic to the romantic

Faisal Al Zaabi
Faisal Al Zaabi

March 15, 2025

  • English
  • Arabic

The Hong Kong Film Festival returns to Dubai’s Cinema Akil this month for the fourth year.

Selected films are presented by the Asian Film Awards Academy from March 22 to 28, and span romantic fantasy, classic movies and action genres. This year’s event promises new discoveries from the Chinese region, as well as a classic to be appreciated on the big screen.

Here are eight films screening at the cinema on Alserkal Avenue.

An Abandoned Team (2024)

Showing: March 22 at 8pm

An Abandoned Team. Photo: Media Asia Film
An Abandoned Team. Photo: Media Asia Film

Directed by Ying-Ngai Ho and Thomas Chi-Wai Lee, this comedy tells the story of a grumpy old man who joins a team that rescues stray dogs from the streets. Hilarity ensues as the man’s patience is tested. The film stars Lawrence Cheng, Amy Lo and Jay Fung.

Blossoms Under Somewhere (2004)

Showing: 4pm, March 23

Blossoms Under Somwhere. Photo: MM2 Entertainment
Blossoms Under Somwhere. Photo: MM2 Entertainment

Riley Yip directs this drama about a teenager who runs an illegal business selling lingerie. She is unpopular at her school and things become complicated when she gets closer to the customers she sells to. The film stars Marf Yau, Sheena Chan and Fruit Chan.

Montages of a Modern Motherhood (2024)

Showing: 8.30pm, March 23

Montage of a Modern Motherhood. Photo: No Ceiling Film Production Limited
Montage of a Modern Motherhood. Photo: No Ceiling Film Production Limited

A young woman is tested emotionally after becoming a mother and upending her routine. This film addresses what the mother must contend with to take control of her life and find her identity again. The film is directed by Oliver Siu Kuen Chan and stars Hedwig Tam, Patra Au and Chun Yip Lo.

The Bride with White Hair (1993)

Showing: March 24 at 8pm

The classic of the selection, this film from 1993 is beloved in the wuxia (adventures of martial artists) genre. The film follows a young man who is set to become successor to his clan’s throne, as he battles the powers of evil while falling in love with a female warrior. The film is directed by Ronny Yu and stars Brigitte Lin, Leslie Cheung and Francis Ng. Fun fact: the character of the female warrior in this film was the inspiration behind Xena: The Warrior Princess.

Last Song for You (2024)

Showing: 8pm, March 25

Last Song for You. Photo: Intercontinental Film
Last Song for You. Photo: Intercontinental Film

Lai-Yin Leung’s Last Song for You is a touching romantic fantasy about the spirit of a deceased woman who is given the chance to reconnect with a past lover. The pair go on a journey through time and space. The film stars Ekin Cheng, Pak-Hong Chu and Cecilia Choi.

Cesium Fallout (2024)

Showing: 8pm, March 26

Cesium Fallout. Photo: Edko Films
Cesium Fallout. Photo: Edko Films

This action film by Anthony Pun focuses on the rescue and containment efforts by authorities following a fire at a recycling plant, which exposes the population to nuclear waste. The film follows several officials and firefighters as they work to prevent a massive disaster. Cesium Fallout stars one of Hong Kong cinema’s most celebrated actors, Andy Lau, who famously appeared in Infernal Affairs.

Papa (2024)

Showing: 8pm, March 27

Papa. Photo: Golden Scnee
Papa. Photo: Golden Scnee

Philip Yung directs Hong Kong film legend Ching-Wan Lau in Papa, a film about a man who must grapple with a heinous crime that his mentally unstable son commits against his own family. Alongside Lau, the film also stars Jo Koo, Fai-Hung Chan and Dylan So.

The Last Dance

Showing: 8pm, March 28

The Last Dance. Photo: Emperor Motion Pictures
The Last Dance. Photo: Emperor Motion Pictures

Directed by Anselm Chan, this drama follows a wedding planner who inadvertently becomes a funeral planner, and a good one at that. To continue in his new career, he must convince a Taoist priest that he is the best man for the job. The film stars Michael Hui, Dayo Wong and Michelle Wai.

How has net migration to UK changed?

The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.

It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.

The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.

The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.

While you're here
Jiu-jitsu calendar of events for 2017-2018:

August 5:

Round-1 of the President’s Cup in Al Ain.

August 11-13:

Asian Championship in Vietnam.

September 8-9:

Ajman International.

September 16-17

Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Ashgabat.

September 22-24:

IJJF Balkan Junior Open, Montenegro.

September 23-24:

Grand Slam Los Angeles.

September 29:

Round-1 Mother of The Nation Cup.

October 13-14:

Al Ain U18 International.

September 20-21:

Al Ain International.

November 3:

Round-2 Mother of The National Cup.

November 4:

Round-2 President’s Cup.

November 10-12:

Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro.

November 24-26:

World Championship, Columbia.

November 30:

World Beach Championship, Columbia.

December 8-9:

Dubai International.

December 23:

Round-3 President’s Cup, Sharjah.

January 12-13:

Grand Slam Abu Dhabi.

January 26-27:

Fujairah International.

February 3:

Round-4 President’s Cup, Al Dhafra.

February 16-17:

Ras Al Khaimah International.

February 23-24:

The Challenge Championship.

March 10-11:

Grand Slam London.

March 16:

Final Round – Mother of The Nation.

March 17:

Final Round – President’s Cup.

GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

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 lowdown

Badla

Rating: 2.5/5

Produced by: Red Chillies, Azure Entertainment 

Director: Sujoy Ghosh

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Amrita Singh, Tony Luke

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

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The%20Roundup
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What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
While you're here
Brown/Black belt finals

3pm: 49kg female: Mayssa Bastos (BRA) v Thamires Aquino (BRA)
3.07pm: 56kg male: Hiago George (BRA) v Carlos Alberto da Silva (BRA)
3.14pm: 55kg female: Amal Amjahid (BEL) v Bianca Basilio (BRA)
3.21pm: 62kg male: Gabriel de Sousa (BRA) v Joao Miyao (BRA)
3.28pm: 62kg female: Beatriz Mesquita (BRA) v Ffion Davies (GBR)
3.35pm: 69kg male: Isaac Doederlein (BRA) v Paulo Miyao (BRA)
3.42pm: 70kg female: Thamara Silva (BRA) v Alessandra Moss (AUS)
3.49pm: 77kg male: Oliver Lovell (GBR) v Tommy Langarkar (NOR)
3.56pm: 85kg male: Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE) v Rudson Mateus Teles (BRA)
4.03pm: 90kg female: Claire-France Thevenon (FRA) v Gabreili Passanha (BRA)
4.10pm: 94kg male: Adam Wardzinski (POL) v Kaynan Duarte (BRA)
4.17pm: 110kg male: Yahia Mansoor Al Hammadi (UAE) v Joao Rocha (BRA

LOVE%20AGAIN
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COMPANY PROFILE

● Company: Bidzi

● Started: 2024

● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid

● Based: Dubai, UAE

● Industry: M&A

● Funding size: Bootstrapped

● No of employees: Nine

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)

Tips for SMEs to cope
  • Adapt your business model. Make changes that are future-proof to the new normal
  • Make sure you have an online presence
  • Open communication with suppliers, especially if they are international. Look for local suppliers to avoid delivery delays
  • Open communication with customers to see how they are coping and be flexible about extending terms, etc
    Courtesy: Craig Moore, founder and CEO of Beehive, which provides term finance and working capital finance to SMEs. Only SMEs that have been trading for two years are eligible for funding from Beehive.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPECS

Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now

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Updated: March 15, 2025, 2:39 AM
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