Tunisian actress Hend Sabri to star, create new Netflix drama-comedy
The female-focused show is expected to be filmed in Egypt, and production is expected to start in fall 2020
Updated 14 July 2021
Arab News
DUBAI: Tunisian-Egyptian actress Hend Sabri has joined forces with Netflix to star in a drama-comedy that she will also executively produce for the first time, the streaming service announced Monday.
The female-focused show is expected to be filmed in Egypt, and production is expected to start in fall 2020.
“I’m very happy to announce that I’m joining the Netflix family to create a new show centered around women. I’m also very excited because this will be my first experience as an executive producer!” the multi-award winning star wrote to her 2.7 million Instagram followers.
Sabry has previously collaborated with Netflix on a campaign, “Because She Watched,” to curate an inspirational film collection on the platform.
The 40-year-old actress, who has a degree in law, has previously made history by becoming the first Arab woman to serve as a jury member in the 2019 Venice Film Festival.
Sabri, who is a UN goodwill ambassador for the World Food Programme, started acting in 1994 in Tunisia. She then moved to Egypt, where she got married and currently lives, to expand her outreach.
With a career that spans over two decades, she has proven to be one of the Arab world’s most iconic actresses with a number of successful films and shows under her belt.
Christie’s to stage retrospective of Saudi artist Ahmed Mater in London
Updated 23 sec ago
Arab News
DUBAI: Christie’s auction house has announced the first mid-career retrospective of Saudi artist Ahmed Mater.
The show, titled “Ahmed Mater: Chronicles” will take place at Christie’s headquarters in London, from July 17 – Aug. 22.
Curated by Dr. Ridha Moumni, Chairman, Christie’s Middle East and Africa, the exhibition will trace Ahmed Mater’s career and will include works across various mediums, including photography, videos, paintings, sculptures and installations.
“It is especially poignant for me to exhibit in London almost 20 years after the first presentation of my work outside Saudi Arabia at the British Museum, in 2005. I am thrilled with the opportunity to reconnect with the city and its dynamic art community through this immersive and comprehensive exhibition of my practice,” the artist said in a released statement.
Moumni added: “His artistic responses to the swift transformations within Saudi Arabia’s complex social and cultural context invite us to discover fascinating narratives of an evolving land and reflect on its multifaceted identity.’”
Arab stars, designers steal the spotlight in Cannes
Updated 15 May 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: As the curtain rose on the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, Arab stars and designers once again stole the spotlight in the glamorous French Riviera setting.
The festival kicked off with the premiere of the film “The Second Act,” but not before Saudi influencer Yara Alnamlah hit the red carpet in a look by designer Rami Kadi. She sported jewels by Chaumet, including the Wheat necklace from Le Jardin de Chaumet High Jewellery collection.
Saudi influencer Yara Alnamlah posed on the red carpet. (Getty Images)
Shanina Shaik, the Australian-born model of Saudi, Pakistani, and Lithuanian descent, graced the opening night red carpet in a head-turning scarlet dress by Lebanese couturier Zuhair Murad. Her strapless gown, featuring a sweetheart neckline and a dramatic overskirt, was from the designer’s ready-to-wear Fall 2024 collection.
Shanina Shaik, the Australian-born model of Saudi, Pakistani, and Lithuanian descent, graced the opening night red carpet in a head-turning scarlet dress by Lebanese couturier Zuhair Murad. Her strapless gown, featuring a sweetheart neckline and a dramatic overskirt, was from the designer’s ready-to-wear Fall 2024 collection.
Shaik was not the only star on the red carpet championing an Arab designer.
US German model and TV host Heidi Klum stunned on the red carpet in a bold red gown by Lebanese designer Saiid Kobeisy. The dress gathered at the waist, revealing one leg, with silk fabric draping around her.
Meanwhile, US actress Jane Fonda donned a black jumpsuit adorned with crystal embroidery from Lebanese designer Elie Saab’s Fall 2019 collection. Completing her look, she opted for a leopard-print overcoat.
“The Second Act” is a French comedy starring Lea Seydoux, Vincent Lindon, Louis Garrel and Raphaël Quenard. They play squabbling actors filming a movie directed by artificial intelligence.
The festival’s first lengthy standing ovation, though, went to Streep, who was awarded an honorary Palme d’Or during Tuesday’s opening ceremony. After Juliette Binoche introduced her, Streep shook her head, fanned herself and danced while the crowd thunderously cheered.
“I’m just so grateful that you haven’t gotten sick of my face and you haven’t gotten off of the train,” said Streep, who soon thereafter declared Cannes officially open with Binoche.
Saudi director Shahad Ameen’s ‘Hijra’ set to wrap filming
This is the director’s second movie following her debut feature film “Scales,” which premiered at the 76th edition of the Venice Film Festival
Once filming wraps, editing will take place in Paris under the guidance of Hervé de Luz
Updated 15 May 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen is in the production phase of her latest film, “Hijra,” with the film set to be edited in Paris after filming wraps in May.
This is the director’s second movie following her debut feature film “Scales,” which toured international festivals and premiered at the 76th edition of the Venice Film Festival, where it received the Verona Film Club Award. “Scales” was also submitted to the Best International Feature Film category by the Kingdom at the 93rd Academy Awards.
Ameen began filming “Hijra” in March and is anticipated to wrap up shooting on May 24, according to a released statement.
A photograph taken on the set of 'Hijra.' (Supplied/ Ziyad Alzayer)
The shooting locations encompass eight cities in the Kingdom: Taif, Jeddah, Madinah, Wadi Al-Faraa, AlUla, Tabuk, NEOM, and Duba.
The film follows the journey of a grandmother with her two granddaughters from Taif to Makkah. When the eldest granddaughter goes missing, they embark on a quest to the north of the Kingdom.
The film stars Saudi talents Khairiya Nazmi, Nawaf Al-Dhufairi and Lamar Feddan.
Once filming wraps, editing will take place in Paris under the guidance of Hervé de Luz, known for his work on “Jacques,” “Ghost Writer” and “The Pianist.”
The film’s crew also includes Chilean cinematographer Miguel Littin Menz and British set designer Chris Richmond.
In a released statement, Ameen said: “‘Hijra’ is one of the most difficult films I have worked on, and we are still halfway through. We are filming in eight different cities and remote areas. Still, the team and I fully believe in the importance of this story, which tells the story of Saudi women from different generations, and the conflict that ensues.
“All of this is in the plot of a road film that highlights the cultural and historical diversity of the Kingdom and stresses that the Kingdom was and still is a refuge for all people who sought safety in this holy land,” she added.
For “Hijra,” Ameen is teaming up with Iraqi filmmaker Mohamed Al-Daradji, Biet Ameen Production, the Iraqi Independent Film Center, Ideation Studio by Saudi producer Faisal Baltyuor, veteran Egyptian Mohamed Hefzy, Abboud Ayyash, Sayed Abou Haidar, the Red Sea Fund and Film AlUla for the production of the movie.
Hefzy said: “Having collaborated with Shahad on ‘Scales,’ we feel Shahad is onto something very special and more ambitious with ‘Hijra,’ and are only proud and eager to complete the journey with her and her producing team.”
The film has also received support from the Daw Initiative Saudi Film Commission, Ithra and NEOM.
DCT Abu Dhabi chairman awarded Legion of Honour by France
Updated 15 May 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: Mohamed Khalifa Al-Mubarak, the chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, has been awarded the prestigious French Legion of Honour.
Al-Mubarak received the award in a private ceremony at Louvre Abu Dhabi.
The medal was presented by Rachida Dati, France’s Minister of Culture, on behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron.
This is not the first time the Legion of Honour, considered the most distinguished merit in France, has been bestowed on an Emirati official.
Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, was awarded the merit earlier this year. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, received the award last year.
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Fest CEO, Lebanon’s Nadine Labaki attend Cannes opening night
Updated 15 May 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: Mohammed Al-Turki, the CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival, attended the opening ceremony of 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival as Lebanese actress-director Nadine Labaki posed on the red carpet alongside her fellow Cannes jury members.
Al-Turki took to social media to post pictures from the red carpet, where he posed alongside Jomana Al-Rashid, CEO of the Saudi Research and Media Group. He captioned the post, “Beautiful and inspiring opening night @festivaldecannes repping @redseafilm with @jomanaalrashid! Congratulations Thiery and Iris for a great start for what I’m sure will be an edition that exceeds all expectations,” referring to artistic director Thierry Fremaux and festival president Iris Knobloch.
Mohammed Al-Turki posed alongside Jomana Al-Rashid, CEO of the Saudi Research and Media Group. (Getty Images)
The opening night film was “The Second Act,” a comedy starring Léa Seydoux and Louis Garrel.
However, before “The Second Act” was screened for the audience, Cannes presented its jury, which includes Omar Sy, Lily Gladstone, Nadine Labaki, Ebru Ceylan, Hirokazu Kore-eda, J.A. Bayona and Greta Gerwig.
The Cannes Film Festival jury features Lebanese director-actress Nadine Labaki (fourth from the left). (Getty Images)
The star of the night was US veteran actress Meryl Streep, on hand to receive an honorary Palme d’Or. Taking the stage to receive her honor, the Oscar-winner was greeted with a two-minute standing ovation. Addressing the crowd, Streep remembered words from her mother: “Darling, you’ll see, it all goes so fast.”
Meanwhile, a film from Saudi Arabia will be screened at the film festival for the very first time.
“Norah,” Saudi director Tawfik Alzaidi's feature debut, has been selected in the Un Certain Regard section and will screen with 19 other entries from around the world.
