DUBAI // The sun went down and the lights went up as international and regional celebrities flooded the red carpet for the Dubai International Film Festival’s 10th edition.
Incessant flashes from photographers provided a backdrop for the glitz and glamour as cameras started to roll at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah on Friday night.
Hollywood actor Martin Sheen stole the show. He was in Dubai to collect a Lifetime Achievement Award, before the opening night gala screening of Omar, a film by Palestinian director Hany Abu Assad.
Sheen, famous for roles in Apocalypse Now and The Departed, and the television series The West Wing, said he was “honoured and overwhelmed” to pick up the award in Dubai.
“I am delighted to be here,” he said. “You always just hope you live long enough to get awards like this. It’s hard to articulate. Very gratifying and deeply personal.
“You can’t really anticipate times like this. They are the flowers you see during a stroll through the park. They make you stop, pause and be grateful.”
The actor wanted to share his feelings on the death of South African anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela.
“I am grateful to have lived and shared a vision and a planet with such a unique and inspiring human being,” said the softly spoken actor.
Film director and head of the Muhr Arab jury, Jim Sheridan, who is behind hits such as In the Name of the Father and The Boxer, also wanted to talk about Mandela, “a great, great man”.
The Muhr Awards is part of Diff and will show 90 films competing for a share of US$575,000 (Dh2.1 million) in prize money across three categories – Muhr Emirati, Muhr Arab and Muhr Asia-Africa.
Under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the nine-day festival will screen 70 world premieres and 11 international premieres from 57 countries in 43 languages.
In total, there will be more than 174 features, shorts and documentaries, of which more than 100 are from the Arab world.
Award-winning directors, Golden Globe-nominated producers, Oscar-winning actors and Hollywood and Bollywood heavyweights will all make an appearance over the next nine days.
A fitting tribute to the progress of film-making across the Arab world, Omar, by Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe-winning film-maker Abu Assad, opened proceedings.
Actors Adam Bakri, Eyad Hourani and producer Waleed Al Ghafari joined Abu Assad on the carpet to rapturous applause.
“Omar is a love story,” said Bakri, who plays the lead role of Omar. “It’s a message of love. But filming it was pretty tough at times. It was amazing, rough, hard and beautiful, if that’s possible.”
Co-star Hourani said being on the red carpet in Dubai was a proud moment for him as an Arab.
“I am so happy right now as this is such a good sign for Arab film,” he said. “Do a film and Diff will host you. Do a film and they will support you to the end.
“This festival is our home and we have been welcomed. Arab film has something very special to be proud of.”
Other stars who graced the red carpet included Cate Blanchett, head of the jury for the IWC Film-maker Award, which takes place on Saturday night at the One & Only Royal Mirage hotel.
Then there was Avatar actor Stephen Lang and British actor Andy Serkis, best known for his role as Gollum in Lord of the Rings.
Bollywood star Jaaved Jaffrey, who features in Mohmoud Kaabour’s docufilm on a labour camp singing contest, Champ of the Camp, entertained the crowds.
“Bollywood plays an integral part of the lives of these labourers,” said Jaffrey. “They build this city. It’s a film which touches your heart. It reaches out and grabs you.”
Gripping documentaries, heartwarming tales of love, passion and forgiveness, the truth behind the Wafi jewellery heist in Dubai and some of the biggest international blockbusters offer moviegoers something for every taste during the festival, which runs until December 14.
For more information, visit www.dubaifilmfest.com.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
