Red Sea Film Fest unveils 7 movies to screen as part of ‘Treasures’ category

The Egyptian classic movie “Khali Balak Min Zouzou” will screen as part of the “Red Sea: Treasures” category. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 26 October 2022
Follow

Red Sea Film Fest unveils 7 movies to screen as part of ‘Treasures’ category

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival has unveiled seven movies that will be part of this year’s “Red Sea: Treasures” category. 

The lineup includes soccer film “Bend it Like Beckham,” Jean Renoir’s 1937 movie “La Grande Illusion,” “Sambizanga” – about the anti-colonial struggle in 1970s Africa, Jim Jarmusch’s debut film “Stranger than Paradise,” historical war feature “Lion of the Desert” and the Egyptian classics “Khali Balak Min Zouzou” and “Gharam Fil Karnak.”

“Red Sea: Treasures is a celebration of some of the iconic and widely acclaimed cinematic storytelling ever to grace the screen,” said Antoine Khalife, the director of Arab Programs & Film Classics of the festival, in a released statement. “I’m thrilled that through the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation, we have been able to restore two Egyptian classics which have been meticulously restored for a new generation of audiences to enjoy.”

The director of the international programming for the RSIFF Kaleem Aftab said that the Red Sea: Treasures category is “designed to unlock film heritage and reintroduce a diverse selection of masterpieces that have made an important contribution to cinema history.”

“These influential films have impacted our lives, and we’re delighted to share them with new audiences,” he added. 

The festival will take place in Jeddah from Dec. 1 to 10. 


Georges Chakra presents new couture collection in Paris

Updated 28 January 2026
Follow

Georges Chakra presents new couture collection in Paris

  • Chakra introduces ‘new Parisienne attitude’
  • Top Arab designers also have shows in city

DUBAI: Lebanese designer Georges Chakra has presented his Spring/Summer 2026 couture collection at Paris Haute Couture Week, offering a contemporary interpretation of the house’s established design codes through refined silhouettes and detailed craftsmanship.

Drawing on the heritage of the maison, the collection revisited classic elements of elegance while introducing what the designer described in an Instagram post as a “new Parisienne attitude.”

Soft pastels, ivory and metallic tones defined the palette, moving between pale blue, blush, lavender and gold across the runway.

The show featured a range of sculpted looks, with structured bodices balanced by feathered appliques, floral embroidery and layers of sheer tulle.

Strapless gowns with petal-like embellishments appeared alongside column dresses finished with subtle shimmer, while ruffled sleeves, organza capes and sheer overlays created volume and movement.

White gowns formed a central part of the collection, ranging from minimal silhouettes with clean lines to more elaborate designs incorporating veils, hats and lattice-style embroidery.

Soft pastels, ivory and metallic tones defined the palette. (Getty Images)

Sequins, hand-applied florals and intricate beading appeared throughout the collection. The show concluded with a bridal look featuring sheer embroidery and floral detailing.

After beginning his career in Beirut, where he initially worked at his home studio following his graduation from an institution in Canada, Chakra founded his fashion house in 1985.

He later expanded his atelier to Paris, debuting on the Haute Couture Week calendar in 2002, and has since built an international reputation for couture and eveningwear, dressing a wide range of regional and global figures for major red-carpet appearances.

His designs have been worn by celebrities including Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Beyonce, Cara Delevingne, Tyra Banks, Jennifer Lopez, Helen Mirren, Molly Sims and Andra Day.

Chakra was among several Arab designers featured during Paris Haute Couture Week this season.

Georges Hobeika and Tony Ward had already presented their Spring/Summer 2026 couture collections earlier in the week, while Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, Ashi Studio and Rami Al-Ali are scheduled to show later on the official calendar.