Johnny Depp walks the red carpet at ‘Jeanne Du Barry’ Red Sea Film Fest premiere 

The actor wore a black tuxedo as he posed for pictures on the red carpet. (Huda Bashatah)
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Updated 01 December 2023
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Johnny Depp walks the red carpet at ‘Jeanne Du Barry’ Red Sea Film Fest premiere 

JEDDAH : Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp on Friday walked the red carpet at the Red Sea International Film Festival for the regional premiere of his film “Jeanne Du Barry.”

The actor wore a black suit as he posed for pictures on the red carpet. 

French director Maïwenn’s period drama features the director as the titular 18th Century courtesan Madame du Barry opposite Depp, who plays King Louis XV. The director also hit the carpet at the Red Sea Mall.




Mohammed Al-Turki and Johnny Depp. (Huda Bashatah)

RSIFF provided post-production support for the period drama, marking the first time the foundation co-produced a French movie. The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May. 

On Thursday, Depp attended the opening night of the festival alongside US star Will Smith, US actress Michelle Williams, German actress Diane Kruger, Lebanese songstress Maya Diab, Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio, Saudi singer Aseel Omran — among many more — it was an affair to remember.

The glittering event kicked off with a gala screening of Dubai-based Iraqi director Yasir Al-Yasiri’s “HWJN,” which is based on a YA novel by Saudi writer Ibraheem Abbas. Set in modern-day Jeddah, “HWJN” follows the story of a kind-hearted jinn — an invisible entity in Islamic tradition — as he discovers the truth about his royal lineage.




French director Maïwenn’s period drama features the director as the titular 18th Century courtesan Madame du Barry opposite Depp, who plays King Louis XV. (Huda Bashatah)

This year’s celebrity-studded festival jury is presided over by director Baz Luhrmann, joined by Swedish-American actor Joel Kinnaman (“Suicide Squad”); Freida Pinto (“Slumdog Millionaire”); Egyptian actor Amina Khalil (“Grand Hotel”) and Spain’s Paz Vega (“Sex and Lucía,” “The OA”). 

The Red Sea International Film Festival runs from Nov. 30 to Dec. 9 and boasts 11 categories of films: Special Screenings; Red Sea: Competition; Red Sea: Shorts Competition; Festival Favorites; Arab Spectacular; International Spectacular; New Saudi/ New Cinema: Shorts; Red Sea: New Vision; Red Sea: Families and Children; Red Sea: Series and Red Sea: Treasures. 

The theme of year’s festival is “Your Story, Your Festival.”


Arab fashion spotted at Critics Choice Awards

Updated 59 min 59 sec ago
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Arab fashion spotted at Critics Choice Awards

DUBAI: Sunday night’s Critics Choice Awards, the first major gala of this year’s Hollywood awards season, played host to several creations from Arab fashion designers on the red carpet.

Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph showed off a burgundy gown by Lebanese-Italian designer Tony Ward, hailing from his Fall/ Winter 2025 couture collection, while Kristen Bell opted for a black dress with lace panels by celebrity favorite Elie Saab.

The “Marty Supreme” actress Odessa A'zion glittered in a silver, sequined gown by Emirati brand OTT Dubai.

Sheryl Lee Ralph showed off a burgundy gown by Lebanese-Italian designer Tony Ward. (Getty Images) 

The brand, which has been sported by singers Mya and Leona Lewis in the past, dressed A’zion in a semi-sheer, floor-length dress with billowing sleeves and a peek-a-boo cutout.

A’zion’s co-star Timothee Chalamet’s Oscars campaign earned a major boost at the event as he scooped the best actor prize for “Marty Supreme,” AFP reported.

“Marty Supreme” actress Odessa A'zion glittered in a silver, sequined gown by Emirati brand OTT Dubai. (Getty Images) 

He defeated rival Leonardo DiCaprio, whose raucous political thriller “One Battle After Another” took the night’s top prize for best picture, as well as best director and best adapted screenplay for Paul Thomas Anderson.

In “Marty Supreme,” Chalamet plays a 1950s table tennis champion consumed by grand ambitions.

Loosely based on a true story, and benefiting from the Franco-American actor’s unique viral campaign, the film directed by Josh Safdie (“Uncut Gems”) has become an unlikely global hit.

Chalamet — the “Dune” superstar and two-time Oscar nominee who recently portrayed Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown” — rigorously trained in table tennis for the role.

The 30-year-old has in the past made no secret of his ambitions to win multiple Academy Awards, and will now be the frontrunner for the ceremony on March 15.

The awards bestowed by North America’s largest critics’ group could give movie campaigns much-needed extra momentum as Oscars voting nears.

This year, it took the coveted first weekend of awards season usually occupied by the Golden Globes, which will take place in Beverly Hills next weekend.

Jessie Buckley won best actress for her role as the tragic wife of William Shakespeare in period drama “Hamnet.”

Jacob Elordi won best supporting actor for his portrayal of the Monster in “Frankenstein,” which also won three technical awards, while Amy Madigan won supporting actress for a villainous turn in horror flick “Weapons.”

Netflix’s global mega-hit musical “K-pop Demon Hunters” won best animated feature and best song.

Period horror film, “Sinners,” which is also a major contender for many of this season’s top prizes, had to settle for best original screenplay, young actor, score, and casting and ensemble.