The supernatural thriller Djinn had its world premiere at Emirates Palace on Friday, where people in the packed auditorium screamed at the heart-stopping frights, chuckled during the moments of humour and gave a hearty, standing ovation at the end. It had been a long wait for the film, which was shot in Ras Al Khaimah in 2011 under the direction of the American director Tobe Hooper and was originally set for release last year. But delays aside, Emiratis seemed to be particularly impressed at how an aspect of their nation’s folklore has been reinterpreted for a worldwide audience. Hugo Berger reports
Aisha Al Junabi, a 26-year-old Emirati, from Abu Dhabi, “loved it”. “Out of 10, I would give it nine and a half. I was really scared by it. It made me jump a lot.
“It was great to see a film being set in the UAE. It was very professional, the acting was brilliant.” Meera Al Rumaithy, a 27-year-old Emirati, enjoyed seeing the djinn represented on the big screen – particularly the same scary spectre who terrorised the characters in the film.
“We all grew up hearing these stories about the djinn from our parents,” she recalls. “They used to tell us about Umm Al Duwais and we have all imagined what she looks like. So it was interesting to see another person’s representation of her “We heard about this film way back, but it was worth the wait,” she adds.
Mohamed Yahia, a 30-year-old filmmaker, also praised Djinn for its sense of atmospheric terror. “I enjoyed it as a horror movie. It made me jump, which is good as I want to be scared when I go to a horror movie,” he explains.
“I thought the story was focused more on the international market than the local market, but this makes sense if you want to make money.
“It was good to see an international story that anyone can relate to being based in the UAE.” Khulood Al Marzooqi, a 25-year-old Emirati, also enjoyed the film, but with a few reservations. “I thought some of the characters could have been developed a bit more. You had these characters come and go, without really explaining what they were for,” she says. “But overall I really liked it. I think it is a good start for the film industry in the UAE.”
Gav Lamba, a 27-year-old from the UK, “Overall, I thought they did a really good job on it. At times it was a bit clichéd and a few areas need some work, but I enjoyed it.” His fellow Briton, Reshel Shah, also 27, felt the first part of the movie was particularly successful in delivering shocks.
“The first act of the film was very scary, but it kind of tailed off a bit after that,” she says. “But the film industry in the UAE is still in its infancy, so you have to make allowances for this. It was a good film, but I am sure the UAE will make even better films in time.” Jamal Abdulmalik, a 60-year-old from the US, was not as enthused. “I would give it three out of five. I thought it was just OK,” he declares. “I thought it was quite predictable. I take pride in trying to work out how a movie ends and for this one I worked out what was going to happen pretty much from the off. “But for the first horror film produced in this country, it’s a good enough effort.”
hberger@thenational.ae
• Djinn opens in UAE cinemas on Wednesday
*Image Nation has 30 pairs of tickets to give away – 15 for Abu Dhabi and 15 for Dubai – to attend the public premiere of Djinn. The premiere will be at 9pm, Wednesday, October 30 at Mall of Emirates in Dubai and Abu Dhabi Mall in Abu Dhabi. To win text “Djinn - Dubai” or “Djinn - Abu Dhabi” to 3660 (both Etisalat and du).
Result
UAE (S. Tagliabue 90 1') 1-2 Uzbekistan (Shokhruz Norkhonov 48', 86')
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
On racial profiling at airports
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Leganes v Getafe (12am)
Levante v Alaves (4pm)
Real Madrid v Sevilla (7pm)
Osasuna v Valladolid (9.30pm)
Sunday
Eibar v Atletico Madrid (12am)
Mallorca v Valencia (3pm)
Real Betis v Real Sociedad (5pm)
Villarreal v Espanyol (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (9.30pm)
Monday
Barcelona v Granada (12am)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh289,000
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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.
57%20Seconds
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UAE%20SQUAD
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HAJJAN
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Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Vikram%20Vedha
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Read more about the coronavirus
TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Directed by: Michael Fimognari
Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
Two stars
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: seven-speed PDK dual clutch automatic
Power: 375bhp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh332,800
On sale: now
Racecard
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah Group Two (PA) US$55,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Meydan Trophy (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,900m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,200m
8.15pm: Balanchine Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,000m
9.25pm: Firebreak Stakes Group Three (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections: 6.30pm: RM Lam Tara, 7.05pm: Al Mukhtar Star, 7.40pm: Bochart, 8.15pm: Magic Lily, 8.50pm: Roulston Scar, 9.25pm: Quip, 10pm: Jalmoud
Honeymoonish
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
(All games 4-3pm kick UAE time) Bayern Munich v Augsburg, Borussia Dortmund v Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg v Mainz , Eintracht Frankfurt v Freiburg, Union Berlin v RB Leipzig, Cologne v Schalke , Werder Bremen v Borussia Monchengladbach, Stuttgart v Arminia Bielefeld
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
more from Janine di Giovanni
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, six-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 395bhp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: from Dh321,200
On sale: now
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
England ODI squad
Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE APPRENTICE
Director: Ali Abbasi
Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 3/5