Oscar-winning film composer Gabriel Yared's impressive three-decade long career will be recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). The French-Lebanese musician is celebrated for his Hollywood film scores, including The English Patient, for which he won a Golden Globe, Grammy Award and BAFTA, as well an Academy Award. The 66-year-old will receive the honour at the 13th edition of DIFF, which is set to take place from December 7-14. "I am delighted and honoured to have been selected to receive this prestigious award," said Yared. Born in Beirut, Yared found initial success scoring 1980s French films Betty Blue and Camille Claudel, before graduating to mainstream Hollywood with 1996's The English Patient, followed by The Talented Mr Ripley and Cold Mountain. He is currently working on the score for Xavier Dolan's next film, The Death and Life of John F Donovan. DIFF typically recognises the contribution to film of one Arab and one Western name with its Lifetime Achievement Award each year. Previous recipients include Omar Sharif, Morgan Freeman, Sean Penn, Shah Rukh Khan, Catherine Deneuve, Faten Hamamah and Adel Imam.
Bollywood should make authentic Indian films, says Hussain
Acclaimed actor Adil Hussain, who has featured in many Bollywood films as well as international movies, including the Oscar-winning film Life of Pi, says inferior copies of Hollywood films shouldn't set trends in India. He suggests that filmmakers in the country should make "truly Indian films". Hussain has just finished shooting a short film titled Chutney, which examines the Indian middle class and he says he hopes this kind of film remains popular. "I hope making films on Indian society becomes a trend ... making films in India about the typical Indian household with a deeper meaning and layers instead of following the masala trend of the TV industry and Bollywood. It means that when we look at the Indian social fabric, we have to go deeper into it rather than touching the superficial situations." - IANS
Obama, DiCaprio call for urgent climate action
US President Barack Obama and actor Leonardo DiCaprio have made a joint call for urgent action to combat climate change during a festival held at The White House. Obama told a crowd gathered for the South by South Lawn festival that the world is in “a race against time” to combat climate change. He said the world gets an “incomplete” grade on its response to global warming so far, but added “the good news is we can still pass the test. I tend to be a cautious optimist about our ability to make change,” Obama said. DiCaprio, who recently completed a documentary film about climate change, told the audience that he had timed the film to come out before the presidential election began. DiCaprio, who supports Hillary Clinton, said the scientific consensus about the dangers of climate change is in, and “the argument is now over”. He added: “If you do not believe in climate change, you do not believe in facts or in science. And therefore, in my humble opinion, you should not be allowed to hold public office.” Trump has repeatedly referred to climate change as a hoax. - AP
Affleck confirms new movie is called The Batman
Ben Affleck, who is working on a solo movie reprising his role as Batman after starring in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, has revealed the film's working title is simply The Batman. "At least that's what we're going with now," he said. "I might change it." Not only will he star in the superhero movie, but he is co-writing and directing the film, which is due out sometime between 2018 and 2020. Before its release Affleck will star in Justice League alongside Diana Prince as Wonder Woman and Jason Mamoa as the villain Aquaman. - The National staff
Bendre wants to team up with female directors
Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre has expressed a desire to work with female directors like Farah Khan, Zoya Akhtar and Gauri Shinde.
The actress, who starred in action drama Sarfarosh and was also take up judging spot on India's Got Talent, said: "We have some wonderful female directors. I really admire Farah Khan, Zoya Akhtar and Gauri Shinde. It would be wonderful to work with them." The 41-year-old added she would also like to try her hand at directing a film in the future. Besides acting, Sonali, who has a son with husband Goldie Behl, has also written a book on principles of parenting titled The Modern Gurukul. - IANS
Walken tribute busts out in New York
As part of an art fellowship in New York’s Socrates Sculpture Park, artist Bryan Zanisnik has installed a multitude of concrete Christopher Walken busts as a tribute to his life and career. The Oscar winning actor was raised in a nearby suburb, making the installation even more relevant. The installation, entitled Monument to Walken, has already attracted large crowds, according to Vulture.com. The work created as part of the park’s Emerging Artist Fellowship Exhibition and is open until March 13 next year. - The National staff
