The ongoing Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is attracting cine buffs from across the world to see a large selection of international films.
There was palpable excitement at Madinat Arena where works of adventure and action, beginning with the political drama Shock and Awe, were showcased. The film is from Academy Award-nominated actor, writer, producer and director Rob Reiner who was himself present at the Madinat Arena.
The afternoon gala followed, bringing with it family fun as castmates Ser’Darius Blain and Madison Iseman attended the screening of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
Over at the Souk Madinat Theatre, doors opened with the wondrous journey of Ana and Bruno. Audiences were then taken courtside with the afternoon screening of Borg vs. McEnroe, with actor Sverrir Gudnason in attendance.
Shining a spotlight on the importance of the art of scriptwriting, the Forum at the Dubai Film Market (DFM) held ‘The Writer’s Room’, presented in partnership with the British Council and the British Film Institute. Ludo Smolski, tutor and script consultant, gave insight into the key skills needed to master the script development process.
In the evening, the music continued at ‘The Beach’, as British-Tunisian filmmaker Claire Belhassine’s The Man behind the Microphone screened alongside a spirited live performance, whilst back at the Souk, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Morgan Spurlock’s latest documentary, Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken! screened to a packed house.
The film presentation was followed by an extended Q&A session with Spurlock himself, his co-writer and producer Jeremy Chilnick, and producer Matthew Galkin.
Closing the curtain on day four at the Arena was the much celebrated, The Disaster Artist, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Tommy Wiseau’s The Room from 2003. The Souk closed with Muhr competition feature, The Journey, attended by award-winning Iraqi filmmaker Mohamed Jabrah Al-Daradji and actor Ameer Jbara.
The DIFF also explored the world of fashion, as BAFTA and Academy Award-winning designer Alexandra Byrne spoke about her distinguished career, including some of the most iconic screen costumes in recent times, and her latest work on the Agatha Christie film adaptation, Murder on the Orient Express (2017).