ABU DHABI // Formula One race fans are disappointed that the feature-length documentary Senna, about one of the sport's legends, will not be shown in the UAE anytime soon.
Gulf Film, the local distributor for Universal Pictures, said it was not going to release the film about the life of Ayrton Senna this year.
Motoring: Senna still casts a long shadow over Formula One
Last Updated: June 18, 2011 UAE
A poignant new documentary recalls the life of the daring young F1 racer Ayrton Senna, whose death in 1994 prompted a raft of reforms to racing.
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Senna, a Brazilian who won three Formula One world championships, raced for McLaren from 1988 to 1993. He was the last Formula One driver to die at the racing wheel when his car crashed into a concrete wall at about 217kph when he was leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix in Imola, Italy.
Paul Velasco, communications manager at the Dubai Autodrome, said the decision not to release the film affects a wider audience than just race fans.
"The movie is not about motor racing," Mr Velasco said. "It's about a legend who has excelled in Formula One and is an example to every sportsman on the planet."
The documentary was released to very good reviews in the UK on June 3, with the McLaren executive chairman, Ron Dennis, reported to have cried during a viewing.
Phill Tromans, deputy editor of EVO Middle East magazine, said car enthusiasts were waiting to hear about the release date.
"With Abu Dhabi hosting a grand prix it seems a great shame for regional newcomers to Formula One to miss what is, by all accounts, a fascinating look at one of the biggest names in motorsport," he said.
Senna won the best documentary category at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
Mohammed al Jneibi, a motorsport fan, has consistently raised the issue of the film on Twitter.
"I'm disappointed that the documentary won't be screened here," he said. "Ideally, if it is to be shown here, it should be via one of the two main movie festivals in the UAE."
Mr Al Jneibi said that despite the country's love of rally driving, Formula One was making massive inroads in popularity.
eharnan@thenational.ae
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE DRAFT
The final phase of player recruitment for the T10 League has taken place, with UAE and Indian players being drafted to each of the eight teams.
Bengal Tigers
UAE players: Chirag Suri, Mohammed Usman
Indian: Zaheer Khan
Karachians
UAE players: Ahmed Raza, Ghulam Shabber
Indian: Pravin Tambe
Kerala Kings
UAE players: Mohammed Naveed, Abdul Shakoor
Indian: RS Sodhi
Maratha Arabians
UAE players: Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
Indian: S Badrinath
Northern Warriors
UAE players: Imran Haider, Rahul Bhatia
Indian: Amitoze Singh
Pakhtoons
UAE players: Hafiz Kaleem, Sheer Walli
Indian: RP Singh
Punjabi Legends
UAE players: Shaiman Anwar, Sandy Singh
Indian: Praveen Kumar
Rajputs
UAE players: Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed
Indian: Munaf Patel
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
RESULTS
Dubai Kahayla Classic – Group 1 (PA) $750,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Deryan, Ioritz Mendizabal (jockey), Didier Guillemin (trainer).
Godolphin Mile – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Dubai Gold Cup – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (Turf) 3,200m
Winner: Subjectivist, Joe Fanning, Mark Johnston
Al Quoz Sprint – Group 1 (TB) $1million (T) 1,200m
Winner: Extravagant Kid, Ryan Moore, Brendan Walsh
UAE Derby – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Dubai Golden Shaheen – Group 1 (TB) $1.5million (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zenden, Antonio Fresu, Carlos David
Dubai Turf – Group 1 (TB) $4million (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord North, Frankie Dettori, John Gosden
Dubai Sheema Classic – Group 1 (TB) $5million (T) 2,410m
Winner: Mishriff, John Egan, John Gosden
Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press
Results for Stage 2
Stage 2 Yas Island to Abu Dhabi, 184 km, Road race
Overall leader: Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Stage winners: 1. Fernando Gaviria COL (UAE Team Emirates) 2. Elia Viviani ITA (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) 3. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal)
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
