Director Firas Fayyad is showing 'The Cave' at this year's Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff). AFP
Director Firas Fayyad is showing 'The Cave' at this year's Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff). AFP
Director Firas Fayyad is showing 'The Cave' at this year's Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff). AFP
Director Firas Fayyad is showing 'The Cave' at this year's Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff). AFP

Latest from Tiff: the movie titles announced from Mena region


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It was a slow start for films from the Mena region when the Toronto International Film Festival announced its initial slate of movies for this year's event last month. As the Thursday, September 5 opening night draws closer, and more films are added to the line-up, however, we are beginning to see a wider selection of films from the Middle East emerging in the programme. Here are the regional films that have now been confirmed for screening in Toronto next month.

'1982' by Oualid Mouaness

US-based Oualid Mouaness grew up between Lebanon and Liberia. As a producer, he has worked on music videos for stars including David Bowie, Pink and Drake, and has directed seven previous short films. 1982, his first feature which will world premiere at the festival, takes place during the 1982 invasion of Lebanon at a private school on the outskirts of Beirut and stars Oscar-nominated director Nadine Labaki. Here, 11-year-old Wissam tries to tell a classmate about his crush on her.

'Ibrahim: A Fate to Define' by Lina Al Abed

In this provocative and personal documentary, Jordanian director Al Abed searches for traces of her missing father: a seemingly ordinary Palestinian family man who was actually a secret member of a militant splinter faction and vanished when she was just a child, leaving behind his wife with five children.

'Certified Mail' by Hisham Saqr

Egyptian director Saqr has previously worked extensively as an editor, including on the 2010 award-winner Microphone. His debut feature follows a single mother struggling with parenthood, an imprisoned husband, and her own mental health.

'It Must Be Heaven' by Elia Suleiman

The Palestinian director's satirical film was awarded the Jury Special Mention award at the Cannes Film Festival this year. The film, which stars Suleiman, follows him as he goes from Paris to New York alongside co-star Ali Suliman (Homeland, Lone Survivor) in a semi-autobiographical tale of a Palestinian man seeking a new homeland, only to find similarities with his homeland wherever he goes. Suleiman's film also picked up the Fipresci Critics' Award.

'My English Cousin' by Karim Sayad

Of Sheep and Men director Sayad brings his second feature documentary to Tiff this year. The film follows Sayad's cousin, Fahed, who left Algeria for England in 2001 and, now, is contemplating returning to his home country.

'Noura’s Dream', Hinde Boujemaa

Tunisian director Boujemaa brings Noura's Dream to the festival's global cinema-focused Discovery section, where she is one of the 54 per cent of female directors represented this year. With her abusive husband in jail and a coveted divorce pending, hardworking Noura can almost grasp a happy, new life with lover Lassaad – but when the best-laid plans are upended, Noura must tap her unshakable will to fulfil her dream.

'Paris Stalingrad' by Hind Meddeb

Documentarian and former France 24 journalist, Meddeb, takes her camera through the streets of the French capital’s Stalingrad district and meets the refugees struggling to make a home for themselves there, it is an eye-opening exploration of the perils and perseverance that shape the migrant experience.

'The Cave' by Feras Fayyad

Feras Fayyad's last film, the Oscar-nominated Last Men in Aleppo, picked up more than 30 awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. His latest, which will open Tiff's documentary section this year, sees him return to his native, war-torn Syrian home to follow a dedicated team of female doctors tirelessly treating casualties in an underground hospital, while battling systemic sexism.

The Cave  has already been picked up by NatGeo in the US for a theatrical and TV release, and is already being hotly tipped for an Oscar nod.

'143 Sahara Street' by Hassen Ferhani

The film, which is screening at the Locarno Film Festival this week, marks a fiction feature debut for Algerian director Ferhani, who is previously best known for documentaries. It tells the story of Malika who lives alone in the middle of the desert and where she runs a small restaurant serving two dishes, omelette or tomato omelette, to those who pass through like fleeting apparitions. Malika has gathered countless stories along the way, and they are now as much a part of her as she is of them.

'Adam' by Maryam Touzani

Moroccan director Maryam Touzani's Adam played in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival this year. The film tells the story of a friendship between an unwed pregnant hairdresser and a widowed mother. In a previous interview with The National, the first time feature director said that the story of the film is based on a true family incident where Touzani's mother took in a pregnant woman who stayed with Touzani's family until she gave birth. "The whole experience moved me very deeply," she said.

'This is Not a Movie' by Yung Chang

Not technically a film from the region, but definitely one of interest to viewers here, Chinese-Canadian director Yung Chang chronicles the ground-breaking reporting of legendary foreign correspondent and author Robert Fisk, who spent much of his career reporting from the Middle East. The prolific Chang is also currently in development with his debut fiction feature, Eggplant.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

While you're here
Credit Score explained

What is a credit score?

In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.

Why is it important?

Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.

How is it calculated?

The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.

How can I improve my score?

By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.

How do I know if my score is low or high?

By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.

How much does it cost?

A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

Sukuk

An Islamic bond structured in a way to generate returns without violating Sharia strictures on prohibition of interest.

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UAE%20SQUAD
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

If you go

The flights

Fly direct to London from the UAE with Etihad, Emirates, British Airways or Virgin Atlantic from about Dh2,500 return including taxes. 

The hotel

Rooms at the convenient and art-conscious Andaz London Liverpool Street cost from £167 (Dh800) per night including taxes.

The tour

The Shoreditch Street Art Tour costs from £15 (Dh73) per person for approximately three hours. 

Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.

  • It’s So Easy
  • Mr Brownstone
  • Chinese Democracy
  • Welcome to the Jungle
  • Double Talkin’ Jive
  • Better
  • Estranged
  • Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
  • Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
  • Rocket Queen
  • You Could Be Mine
  • Shadow of Your Love
  • Attitude (Misfits cover)
  • Civil War
  • Coma
  • Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
  • Sweet Child O’ Mine
  • Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
  • Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
  • November Rain
  • Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
  • Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
  • Nightrain

Encore:

  • Patience
  • Don’t Cry
  • The Seeker (The Who cover)
  • Paradise City
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

Motori Profile

Date started: March 2020

Co-founder/CEO: Ahmed Eissa

Based: UAE, Abu Dhabi

Sector: Insurance Sector

Size: 50 full-time employees (Inside and Outside UAE)

Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing 

Investors: Safe City Group

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica

Best Agent: Jorge Mendes

Best Club : Liverpool   

 Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)  

 Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker

 Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo

 Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP

 Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart

Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)

Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)

Best Women's Player:  Lucy Bronze

Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi

 Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)

 Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)

 Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Windows
​​​​​​​Release Date: April 10

THE SPECS

GMC Sierra Denali 1500

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Price: Dh232,500

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions