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29 March 2024

Abu Dhabi Film Fest: The weekend’s movies

A still from “Monsieur Lazhar”, ADFF’s opening night film. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Bindu Suresh Rai

It’s lights, cameras and action time in the capital once again, as the curtains go up on the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, which runs from October 13 until 22.

Celebrities, family fun days, master classes in filmmaking and plenty of action will be seen on the sidelines.

However, what any film festival is really about is its movies selection, and the ADFF has arguably out done itself this year, bringing a selection of old and new classics, offering us on a platter, untold stories from different parts of the world and marrying it with coming of age talent from the UAE.

This year’s country focus is on Sweden, with some excellent narratives, documentaries and shorts showing us how cinema has blossomed in this European nation.

Film enthusiasts will also cheer, as for the first time, ADFF will offer screenings each evening at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, while continuing to present its programme at VOX Cinemas, Marina Mall, and the Abu Dhabi Theatre.

A new outdoor venue, operated in cooperation with SwissOpenAir will also feature this year on the hotel beach, featuring a 25.6m x 13.85m screen that can seat more than 1,200 guests.

But with over 200 films being screened from over 43 countries, and across the mediums of narratives, shorts and documentaries, picking the not-to-be-missed films gets a wee difficult.

Emirates 24|7 wades through programme to bring you the best of the fest, shying away from popular Hollywood types to select the indie flicks that will leave you yearning for more.

Thursday

Monsieur Lazhar

Opening Night film

If “Dangerous Minds” and “Freedom Writers” struck a chord with you, then ADFF’s opening film could possibly, well, move you to tears.

Director Philippe Falardeau spins yarn of an Algerian refugee, Bachir Lazhar, who proposes himself as a substitute to a school’s headmistress after he learns of the death of a sixth grade teacher in her classroom.

This Canadian-French venture, which also won accolades at the Locarno Film Fest, is a must watch for parents.

Venue: 7pm at the Fairmont Theatre; also on October 14 at 6pm, VOX Cinemas, Marina Mall

Friday

Stockholm East

Showcase film

Directed by Simon Kaijser da Silva, the Middle East Premiere of this Swedish love story depicts how relationships come part when built on a foundation of lies.

After an accident claims a little girl’s life, two deeply scarred strangers meet by chance and begin a passionate affair, but only one knows the awful secret that has bound their lives forever.

Internationally acclaimed Scandinavian stars Mikael Persbrandt (Academy Award winner “In a Better World”) and Iben Hjejle (“High Fidelity”) deliver gripping performances in this sophisticated drama of tragedy and rebirth.

Venues: 7.30pm at Fairmont theatre; also on October 15 at 6pm, VOX Cinemas, Marina Mall

Chicken with Plums

Narrative Competition

A personal favourite of the staff at Emirates 24|7, the super-talented Marjane Satrapi (“Persepolis”) returns with yet another interpretation of her latest graphic novel that will see you laugh, cry and leave you gripped through its 91-minute narrative.

Nasser Ali Khan (Mathieu Amalric) has a broken heart. With his true love long lost, Khan finds himself stuck in a loveless marriage, and now the precious instrument he used through decades as the world’s most renowned violinist has met a violent end.

So Khan ultimately gets into bed and gives up. But that is only the beginning of this delirious fairy tale.

Venues: 6.30pm at the Abu Dhabi Theatre; also on October 15 at 2.30pm at Vox Cinemas, Marina Mall

Charulata

Celebrating Rabindranath Tagore’s Sesquicentennial

For those who have never chanced upon director Satyajit Ray masterpiece, this Bengali epic transports you into 1890s India, where the intelligent and cultured Charu pines away while her work-driven husband devotes more energy to his newspaper than to their marriage.

When he invites his cousin to keep her company, the results prove heartbreaking for all three.

Venue: 6.30pm at VOX Cinemas, Marina Mall

Between Heaven and Earth

Special programme

For those who shy away from the melodrama of Egyptian cinema should not miss this 1960s classic by director Salah Abu Seif.

In the blasting heat of a Friday afternoon in Cairo, a group of people representing the whole of Egyptian society – among them a movie star, a thief, a madman, a cook and a pregnant woman – find themselves trapped in an elevator for 12 hours.

Working brilliantly within its limitations of time and place, Abu Seif’s “Between Heaven and Earth”, from a screenplay co-written by Naguib Mahfouz, is a triumph of modern cinema.

Venue: 9pm at VOX Cinemas, Marina Mall

Saturday

The Source 5.45pm

Showcase film

Moving away from serious drama, this light-hearted Moroccan film brings a breath of fresh air to ADFF.

For the women of a remote village in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, fetching water means a dangerous daily trek high into the mountains and back. That is until Leila (Leila Bekhti) an educated young wife, organises a drastic “love strike” – no affection toward the men until they build a pipeline to channel water down the mountain.

This charming fable of female empowerment, directed by Radu Mihaileanu, is a song-filled crowd pleaser that fearlessly takes on many issues in the Arab world. With Hiam Abbass, Hafsia Herzi and Saleh Bakri.

Venue: 5.45pm at the Abu Dhabi Theatre; also a ladies only screening on October 16 at VOX Cinemas, Marina Mall

El Gusto

Documentary Feature Competition

Director Safinez Bousbia strings together a jovial energy of traditional Chaabi melodies, the beautiful scenery of Algiers, wonderful friendships and a serene nostalgia.

Bousbia’s “El Gusto” is Algeria’s version of the “Buena Vista Social Club”.

Told through the story of a group of Muslim and Jewish musicians who meet for an extraordinary reunion concert 50 years after being separated by the Algerian War, the film is a celebration of co-existence and dialogue, and the power of music to transcend boundaries.

Venue: 4.30pm, VOX Cinemas, Marina Mall