Avatar, one of the most successful franchises in film history, has returned for its third instalment, Fire and Ash.
While this has always been a deeply moral and political project for its director, James Cameron, the latest film arrives amid ongoing war and occupation – and feels more urgent than ever.
Avatar has always worn its message on its sleeve, even if critics have rarely focused on its ethical intentions. Since the first film was released in 2009, it has been Cameron’s sustained attempt to grapple with colonial violence, environmental destruction and the moral compromises societies learn to live with – driven by a belief that cinema, at scale, can still push humanity towards a more enlightened path.
The spectacle, technology and ambition have always been in service of that message, not a substitute for it.
What becomes clear while watching Fire and Ash is how narrow the distance has become between Pandora and the world it reflects.
Released against the backdrop of Gaza, the West Bank, Ukraine and other sites of ongoing conflict and colonial occupation, the film’s questions now land in real time. Debates its characters undertake – particularly around whether violence can ever be justified in the face of oppression – feel impossible to ignore. Find my review here.
Avatar director James Cameron had a crisis of conscience that caused him to reshoot the third film's final act. AFP
Perhaps that is why Cameron has become even more conscious of the ripple effects of his narrative choices.
When I spoke with him in Paris earlier this month, he described a crisis of conscience that emerged late in the process, when he realised the final act he had written and filmed was morally wrong.
In its original form, Jake Sully would unite Pandora’s clans and arm them with automatic weapons, culminating in a familiar, gun-heavy confrontation. Watching it back, Cameron recognised the historical echo.
“At a certain point it just hit me – this maps to colonial history,” he said. “Arming the tribes and pitting them against each other is actually the wrong thing. That was part of the North American genocide of indigenous people. I can’t have Jake doing the same thing.”
To reach the ending he now believes in, Cameron stripped material out, called the actors back, and rebuilt the film around a different set of values. Find more here.
Avatar: Fire and Ash features heated moral debate about whether violence is ever justified against oppression. Photo: 20th Century Studios
While the characters arrive at difficult conclusions about their circumstances, the weight of those choices and the necessity of debate is never softened – particularly when it comes to violence, resistance and responsibility.
As Trinity Bliss, who plays Tuk, told me: “I know a lot of young adults are going to resonate with that debate, especially in the times we're living in the world, where I feel like every young adult I know is going through that moment in their families.”
Sixteen years into the saga, Cameron, now 71, is also acutely aware that this could end up being his final Avatar film. Two further instalments are planned, with scripts completed and large sections already shot, but nothing is guaranteed. Each chapter takes years to complete, and must justify itself at an extraordinary scale.
That reality shaped the changes he made to Fire and Ash's final act. “I was holding out for movie four,” Cameron told me. “And at a certain point I thought I might never get to movie four. So let me tell the right story now.”
Sam Worthington say he's at peace if James Cameron decides to end the Avatar franchise. EPA
That awareness is shared by the cast. Stephen Lang (who plays Colonel Miles Quaritch) notes that Avatar now has a life beyond any one person – even its creator – and that how long the story continues is, in part, up to audiences. For Sam Worthington, who has played Jake Sully since the beginning, whatever comes next matters less than the years already spent telling it.
“If we get to keep going on the journey with him, that’s exciting,” Worthington says. “If we don’t, and he goes and does what he wants to do to create, that’s cool, too.” Find more here.
If Fire and Ash does mark an ending, it already stands as one of the most remarkable achievements in modern cinema – even if many critics have yet to fully reckon with its ambition or intent.
Few contemporary films have managed to resonate so broadly, or argue so insistently, about the world we share and the choices we continue to make.
Damascus by Gorillaz places Syrian singer Omar Souleyman’s voice at the centre of the composition. Reuters
Some artists feel “global” because their music travels easily. Others become global almost by accident – because what they do is so functional, so physically persuasive, that it survives translation.
Omar Souleyman belongs to the second category. He is not a Syrian singer who “crossed over” into international fame. He is a wedding singer who amplified the core mechanics of dabke – Levantine line-dance music – and, in the process, became one of Syria’s most recognisable musical exports.
From local weddings and community events in Syria’s north-east to appearances at Glastonbury in 2011, the Nobel Peace Prize concert in 2013 and Balenciaga’s after-party during Paris Fashion Week in 2022, his journey has been singular and phenomenal.
That is why the new Gorillaz single Damascus, released last week and credited to Damon Albarn alongside Souleyman and Yasiin Bey, lands as more than a headline-grabbing collaboration. It is a track that places Souleyman’s voice – its urgency and repetition – at the centre of the composition.
Souleyman spoke exclusively to The National about the collaboration and his musical journey. Find more here.
The Voice of Hind Rajab is being shown in select UAE cinemas. Photo: Mime Films & Tanit Films
Garbled by a failing connection and faint with terror, the voice of Hind Rajab filled the sold-out theatre at Cinema Akil in Dubai on Wednesday evening.
The crowd listened in silence as the five-year-old girl pleaded with workers at the Palestinian Red Crescent Society to come and save her. Hind had been trapped for hours in a car in northern Gaza that had been fired upon by Israeli soldiers. Her four cousins, aunt and uncle had all been killed. Hiding in between their bodies, she pleaded into the phone for help.
Many in the theatre had heard Hind's voice before. Audio recordings of her conversations with the PRCS had been shared on social media in early 2024, spurring international outrage.
However, for most of the audience, Wednesday’s screening – marking the UAE premiere of The Voice of Hind Rajab – was the first in-depth understanding of what really happened to the young child.
“It sends a strong message about why we need to stand up, loudly, against injustice,” said one audience member after the screening.
Find more here, and find Palestinian journalist Hala Nasar's powerful column on her experience watching the film here.
Dates for your diary
Alicia Keys at Saadiyat Nights, Abu Dhabi– December 31
Maroon 5 at Atlantis the Palm, Dubai– December 31
Nassif Zeytoun and Haifa Wehbe at Space42 Arena, Abu Dhabi – December 31
The National produces a variety of newsletters across an array of subjects. You can sign up here. To receive The Editor's Briefing, our Editor-in-Chief's weekly newsletter – exclusive to registered readers – that rounds up the top stories of the week, sign up here.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
Ticket prices
Golden circle - Dh995
Floor Standing - Dh495
Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Goalkeepers: Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Adel Al Hosani
Defenders: Bandar Al Ahbabi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Mohammed Barghash, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Hassan Al Mahrami, Yousef Jaber, Mohammed Al Attas
Midfielders: Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Majed Hassan, Abdullah Hamad, Khalfan Mubarak, Khalil Al Hammadi, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Harib Abdallah, Mohammed Jumah
Forwards: Fabio De Lima, Caio Canedo, Ali Saleh, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
If you go
The flights
Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes.
The car
Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals. A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.
The hotels
Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes.
More info
To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com. Good guidebooks include the Lonely Planet guides to Northern California and Washington, Oregon & the Pacific Northwest.
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo Power: 235hp Torque: 350Nm Transmission: Nine-speed automatic Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000) On sale: Now
'Downton Abbey: A New Era'
Director: Simon Curtis
Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan
