With 39 feature films, it might not be the biggest film festival in the region, but in just four years the Doha Tribeca Film Festival has carved out a niche with its big-name attendees, broad scope of international films, impressive Arabic content and a community feel that embraces the whole city. Here are a few highlights of this year's festival, which runs from Saturday until November 24.
Doha Talks
If you've ever watched Al Jazeera, you might have noticed that Doha is a city with a passion for talking. And this extends to the film festival, where there are several opportunities for chin-stroking discussion.
Robert De Niro, who started the original Tribeca festival in New York, will be sitting down on Sunday for an "In Conversation With", as will Mira Nair earlier in the day.
For those interested in more regional cinema, on Wednesday there will be a panel discussion about Khaleeji filmmaking featuring Saudi Arabia's first female director, Haifaa Al Mansour.
Family Day(s)
The Katara Cultural Village will be awash in family films and live entertainment for not one but four days this time around, from Wednesday, November 21 to Saturday, November 24.
Among the classics being screened at the DFI Sony Open-Air Cinema are ET and Cinema Paradiso, while a panel titled Express Yourself, moderated by the UAE's Mohammed Saeed Harib of Freej fame, will invite young enthusiasts to unleash their creative potential.
The films
It's difficult picking out the must-sees, but here are a few worth scrapping over for the last remaining tickets:
Children of Heaven: Majid Majidi's children's classic is as captivating today as it was in 1997.
Fidaï: Fifty years after Algeria's independence, this documentary highlights the actions of its unnamed revolutionaries.
The Lebanese Rocket Society: Did you know that back in the 1960s, Lebanon fired the Middle East's first rocket and was actively involved in the space race?
Lyrics Revolt: A Qatari-made documentary about hip-hop and the Arab Spring, followed by performances from some of the artists (watch for an interview in Sunday's Arts&Life).
Jab Tak Hai Jaan (Till I Breathe This Life): The late Yash Chopra's final gift to Bollywood and featuring a slew of stars.
Seven Psychopaths: Because the director Martin McDonagh's previous film, In Bruges, was brilliant.
For details of all the films and other events plus screening times and locations, visit www.dohafilminstitute.com
aritman@thenational.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
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if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets