Soudade Kaadan won the Armani Beauty Audience Awards for 'Nezouh'. Getty Images
Soudade Kaadan won the Armani Beauty Audience Awards for 'Nezouh'. Getty Images
Soudade Kaadan won the Armani Beauty Audience Awards for 'Nezouh'. Getty Images
Soudade Kaadan won the Armani Beauty Audience Awards for 'Nezouh'. Getty Images

Soudade Kaadan's 'Nezouh' wins prize at Venice Film Festival 2022


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

Syrian filmmaker Soudade Kaadan took home the Armani Beauty Audience Awards from Venice Film Festival on Saturday for her film Nezouh.

The festival, which wrapped this weekend, handed out its top prize, the Golden Lion, to Oscar winner Laura Poitras, for her documentary All the Beauty and Bloodshed. It focuses on the US opioid crisis and artist Nan Goldin's campaign against the Sackler family, whose company created OxyContin.

The Audience Award is given to the best film in the Orizzonti Extra section, now in its second year, with the support of the festival's main sponsor, Armani Beauty.

The winner is decided by the votes cast by viewers of the nine films in this section, which was introduced in 2021 as an extension of Orizzonti, a competitive category dedicated to new trends in world cinema. The Extra section presents a selection of works with no constraints in terms of genre or target, as long as they are more than 60 minutes.

"Proud to announce for the second time, my second fiction feature film won in Venice and this time it is the audience @armanibeauty award," Kaadan wrote on Instagram. She posted a photograph of her holding her award stood in front of actress Cate Blanchett, who won her second Venice acting award for her performance as a predatory classical music conductor in Tár.

"Thanks for the fabulous cast and team for making our film Nezouh together."

Nezouh, Kaadan's second feature-length fiction film, follows Mutaz, who refuses to flee Damascus, even as bombs fall, to enter a life as a refugee. His wife, Hala, and daughter, Zeina, have to decide whether to stay or leave.

It's an allegorical tale of female liberty. Zeina, 14, gets her first taste of freedom when a young boy lowers himself with a rope through a giant hole in her family's roof, opening up possibilities for her and her mother who have an impossible choice to make.

The Arabic-language film is a co-production between the UK, Syria and France, and stars Syrian actors Samer Al Masri and Kinda Alloush, alongside newcomers Hala Zein and Nizar Alani.

"It is only after the bombing started in our neighbourhood in Damascus that I left the house with my sister," Kaadan says in a director's statement featured on Venice Film Festival's website. "Damascene society was conservative, even in liberal families. With the new wave of displacement, it became normal (for the first time) to see young Damascene women living alone and separating from their families.

"Myself, and many of my friends, started to make decisions we would never make before. Now, sadly, there is no more society, something new has occurred.

"Nezouh in Arabic is the displacement of souls, water and people; it is the displacement of light and darkness. Nezouh tries to talk about this inevitable invasion of light and hope in the midst of this chaos."

Kaadan, who was born in France and moved to Damascus when she was 8, studied theatre criticism in Syria before pursuing filmmaking at Saint Joseph University in Lebanon, according to her IMDb biography.

Her films have been seen across the world and have received international awards, including The Lion of the Future for Best Debut Film at Venice Film Festival 2018, for The Day I Lost My Shadow.

Her recent short film, Aziza, also won the Sundance Grand Jury prize in 2019.

Her debut feature-length documentary Obscure, which came out in 2017, was also highly acclaimed. It followed a Syrian boy called Ahmad, aged 6, who lives in a Lebanese refugee camp and is so traumatised by his exile and sense of loss that he can barely speak. It takes hours of coaxing by his mother to wake him up each morning, and throughout the film he denies any knowledge of where he is from.

“I wanted to pass an emotional experience to the spectator — for the spectator to have more questions at the end of the film than answers,” she told The National ahead of the film's UK premiere in 2017. “What can we do and how can we help these kids?”

Other winners in Venice include Colin Farrell, who was named Best Actor for his part in the Irish drama The Banshees of Inisherin, which also won the Best Screenplay award for writer-director Martin McDonagh, and Iran's jailed filmmaker Jafar Panahi who was awarded The Special Jury prize for No Bears. His detention was the subject of a flash mob protest on Friday on the Venice red carpet, led by jury head Julianne Moore.

Scroll through the gallery below to see more of the winners at Venice Film Festival 2022

  • Laura Poitras received the Golden Lion for Best Film for 'All the Beauty and the Bloodshed'. Getty Images
    Laura Poitras received the Golden Lion for Best Film for 'All the Beauty and the Bloodshed'. Getty Images
  • Luca Guadagnino, left, received with the Silver Lion for Best Director Taylor Russell, right, won the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Young Actress for 'Bones And All'. Getty Images
    Luca Guadagnino, left, received with the Silver Lion for Best Director Taylor Russell, right, won the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Young Actress for 'Bones And All'. Getty Images
  • Guadagnino with the Silver Lion for 'Bones and All'. AFP
    Guadagnino with the Silver Lion for 'Bones and All'. AFP
  • Cate Blanchett won the Coppa Volpi for Best Actress she received for 'Tár'. AFP
    Cate Blanchett won the Coppa Volpi for Best Actress she received for 'Tár'. AFP
  • Iranian director Houman Seyyedi won the Orizzonti Award for Best Film for 'World War III'. AFP
    Iranian director Houman Seyyedi won the Orizzonti Award for Best Film for 'World War III'. AFP
  • Mathilde Warisse and Juliette Louchart collect the Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film for 'Snow in September' on behalf of Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir. Getty Images
    Mathilde Warisse and Juliette Louchart collect the Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film for 'Snow in September' on behalf of Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir. Getty Images
  • French-Iranian actress Mina Kavani and Iranian actor Reza Heydari collect the Special Jury Prize on behalf of jailed Iranian director Jafar Panahi, for 'Khers Nist (No Bears)'. AFP
    French-Iranian actress Mina Kavani and Iranian actor Reza Heydari collect the Special Jury Prize on behalf of jailed Iranian director Jafar Panahi, for 'Khers Nist (No Bears)'. AFP
  • Heydari and Kavani with the Special Jury Prize. Getty Images
    Heydari and Kavani with the Special Jury Prize. Getty Images
  • Hiroyuki Hayashi, right, won the Venice Classics Award for Best Restored Film for 'Branded to Kill'. Getty Images
    Hiroyuki Hayashi, right, won the Venice Classics Award for Best Restored Film for 'Branded to Kill'. Getty Images
  • Rainer Frimmel, Vera Gemma and Tizza Covi with the Orizzonti Award for Best Director and the Orizzonti Award for Best Actress for 'Vera'. Getty Images
    Rainer Frimmel, Vera Gemma and Tizza Covi with the Orizzonti Award for Best Director and the Orizzonti Award for Best Actress for 'Vera'. Getty Images
  • Katie Davison with the Venice Classics Best Documentary Award for 'Fragments of Paradise'. Getty Images
    Katie Davison with the Venice Classics Best Documentary Award for 'Fragments of Paradise'. Getty Images
  • Soudade Kaadan poses with the Armani Beauty Audience Awards for 'Nezouh'. Getty Images
    Soudade Kaadan poses with the Armani Beauty Audience Awards for 'Nezouh'. Getty Images
  • Houman Seyyedi with the Orizzonti Award for Best Film for 'World War III'. Getty Images
    Houman Seyyedi with the Orizzonti Award for Best Film for 'World War III'. Getty Images
  • Pedro Harres won the Venice Immersive Grand Jury Prize for 'From the Main Square'. Getty Images
    Pedro Harres won the Venice Immersive Grand Jury Prize for 'From the Main Square'. Getty Images

Western Clubs Champions League:

  • Friday, Sep 8 - Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Bahrain
  • Friday, Sep 15 – Kandy v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
  • Friday, Sep 22 – Kandy v Bahrain

Company Profile

Company name: NutriCal

Started: 2019

Founder: Soniya Ashar

Based: Dubai

Industry: Food Technology

Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount

Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia

Total Clients: Over 50

Meydan race card

6.30pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
7.05pm: Handicap Dh 185,000 2,000m
7.40pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap Dh 190,000 1,400m
8.50pm: Handicap Dh 175,000 1,600m
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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder

Transmission: seven-speed auto

Power: 400hp

Torque: 500Nm

Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)

On sale: 2022 

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

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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Specs

Engine: 3.0L twin-turbo V6
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 405hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 562Nm at 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.2L/100km
Price: From Dh292,845 (Reserve); from Dh320,145 (Presidential)
On sale: Now

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

About Okadoc

Date started: Okadoc, 2018

Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Healthcare

Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth

Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February

Investors: Undisclosed

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMaly%20Tech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mo%20Ibrahim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%20International%20Financial%20Centre%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241.6%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2015%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%2C%20planning%20first%20seed%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20GCC-based%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

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2.30pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m; Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.

3pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

3.30pm: Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m; Winner: Thegreatcollection, Adrie de Vries, Doug Watson.

4pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Oktalgano, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.

4.30pm: Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m; Winner: Madame Ellingtina, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

5pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Mystery Land, Fabrice Veron, Helal Al Alawi.

5.30pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m; Winner: Shanaghai City, Jesus Rosales, Rashed Bouresly.

Ain Issa camp:
  • Established in 2016
  • Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
  • Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
  • Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
  • 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
  • NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
  • One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region
You may remember …

Robbie Keane (Atletico de Kolkata) The Irish striker is, along with his former Spurs teammate Dimitar Berbatov, the headline figure in this season’s ISL, having joined defending champions ATK. His grand entrance after arrival from Major League Soccer in the US will be delayed by three games, though, due to a knee injury.

Dimitar Berbatov (Kerala Blasters) Word has it that Rene Meulensteen, the Kerala manager, plans to deploy his Bulgarian star in central midfield. The idea of Berbatov as an all-action, box-to-box midfielder, might jar with Spurs and Manchester United supporters, who more likely recall an always-languid, often-lazy striker.

Wes Brown (Kerala Blasters) Revived his playing career last season to help out at Blackburn Rovers, where he was also a coach. Since then, the 23-cap England centre back, who is now 38, has been reunited with the former Manchester United assistant coach Meulensteen, after signing for Kerala.

Andre Bikey (Jamshedpur) The Cameroonian defender is onto the 17th club of a career has taken him to Spain, Portugal, Russia, the UK, Greece, and now India. He is still only 32, so there is plenty of time to add to that tally, too. Scored goals against Liverpool and Chelsea during his time with Reading in England.

Emiliano Alfaro (Pune City) The Uruguayan striker has played for Liverpool – the Montevideo one, rather than the better-known side in England – and Lazio in Italy. He was prolific for a season at Al Wasl in the Arabian Gulf League in 2012/13. He returned for one season with Fujairah, whom he left to join Pune.

Company%20profile
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Profile of Foodics

Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani

Based: Riyadh

Sector: Software

Employees: 150

Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing

Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.

Scores

New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs 

New Zealand win by 47 runs

UAE squad to face Ireland

Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind

Updated: September 11, 2022, 6:27 AM