Filmmaker Hadi Ghandour’s diary of Cannes Film Festival

The famous Cannes Film Festival hosted its first Saudi Arabian pavilion at this year's event. (AFP/Anne-Christine Poujoulat)
Updated 20 May 2018
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Filmmaker Hadi Ghandour’s diary of Cannes Film Festival

  • Arab News sent screenwriter and director Hadi Ghandour to spend three days at Cannes
  • The first Saudi Arabian pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival was one of the highlights

CANNES: Arab News sent screenwriter and director Hadi Ghandour to spend three days with the team and talent in the first Saudi pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival, which closes on Saturday.

DAY 1
Cannes is always an overwhelming experience. I had attended the festival a couple of times before and after the production of my first feature film.
The frantic pace within the glitzy setting can be unsettling.
There are people everywhere, buying and selling ideas and films and themselves. It can all be very dizzying, but never boring. Here, the ostentatious and intellectual coexist.
It is a balmy Saturday afternoon. The Grand Palais is clogged by people sneaking in selfies. A swarm of eccentrics scurry along the edifice, desperately touting for screening tickets with signs saying: “Invitation SVP!”
One woman has written on her chest: “Will trade a kiss for a ticket.” The arthouse beggar.
This year’s lineup has a decidedly different tone. Somehow the festival feels smaller, in a good way. The pomp is still there, but there are also films by lesser-known filmmakers, including the debut feature “Yommedine” by Egyptian director Abu Bakr Shawky. It is also a particularly proud moment for Lebanese cinema, as Nadine Labaki’s “Capharnaum” is competing in the official selection.
The Saudi presence is on everybody’s lips. I spot a flyer in a festival goody bag inviting guests to “Discover the Kingdom” at the Saudi Film Council pavilion. On my way there, I overhear a haughty young man on the street ask his friend, “Who has time for movies?”
I arrive at the Village International, the outdoor space where countries promote their cinema. National flags wave on the rooftops of the pavilions that line the harbor. The scene is reminiscent of a mini UN. Opposite the Lebanese pavilion and nestled against the yacht-filled port is the Saudi pavilion.
It is the first of its kind in the history of the festival. It isn’t until I enter that I am convinced that this is not a mirage. I am cordially greeted by a traditionally dressed Saudi man who serves Arabic coffee.
A bar beside him serves dates and juices. Inside, the atmosphere is markedly buoyant and it is without question the busiest pavilion at the festival.
I get the impression that it’s like the popular and mysterious new kid in school.
Laughing guests mingle. Inquisitive eyes scan the two-story structure. Breezy white drapes soften the sunlight. The walls are covered with screens showing beautiful panoramic Saudi landscapes; sand dunes, traditional streets, castles and UNESCO-protected areas I have never seen before.
All are potential location shoots, I am told. “This castle can maybe be the hideout of a James Bond villain,” said Faisal Almadani of Midwam, an interactive digital experience company. He places VR goggles around my head and takes me through a virtual tour of a Jeddah market.
Nine Saudi filmmakers are here to represent their country. Some have not arrived yet, but the ones who have are circulating. They are all sharply dressed. Some already know each other; others are meeting for the first time.
Talha B., one of the filmmakers, remarks with a grin: “I took a gamble a few years ago. Now I can go back and not be the black sheep of the family.”
The sun is starting to set and music is emerging from the beachside restaurants.
Some of the parties have already begun. I remember the haughty man I overheard and decide to prove him wrong. I head off to watch a movie. “Le Depart” by Jerzy Skolimowski is playing on a huge outdoor screen on the shore as part of Cinema de la Plage.
I sit there beneath the stars. People around me disappear.
The festival disappears. The sea disappears. It’s just me and this film.
“Who has time for the movies?” I look around and get my answer.

DAY 2
Cannes during the festival feels like a movie set. It is so completely taken over that the people in restaurants and shops and on the streets look like extras. The city is divided into two kinds of people: those who wear festival badges and those who don’t.
The former vastly outnumber the latter. And they get all the benefits.
Sunday is overcast. Thick clouds are quickly gathering, promising a rainy day. A young woman dressed in sweatpants walks into the Palais with a changing bag and emerges dressed in a tawdry golden gown.
With this Clark Kent-style transformation, sh is red carpet-ready in case a charitable individual hands her a ticket.
There is a buzz inside the Saudi pavilion. A lively panel discussion on women in film is taking place, featuring Haifaa Al-Mansour, CAA agent Maha Dakhil and writer-director Maram Taibah.
What strikes me most is the very different way Al-Mansour and Taibah view their role as filmmakers.
“I celebrate being a woman filmmaker … it is part of my identity. There are so many stories about women and so much representation that is missing,” said Al-Mansour.
But Taibah identifies just as a filmmaker, not as a female filmmaker.

FASTFACTS

Effat University

Effat University in Jeddah had been teaching filmmaking before cinemas reopened and its students are exclusively women.

 “I’m dedicated to the story. If it happens to be a story about women, it’s great, but if it’s not, then that’s where my creative flow is going to go. It limits me. As a storyteller I’m interested in the human experience on a universal level. Women need to be seen as talents. Full stop.”
All three share an optimism for the future.
“The ground feels very fertile... things are happening overnight,” said Dakhil, who ended the panel with a word of advice for aspiring storytellers. “Dream up your story, and the medium is secondary.”
It’s lunchtime. Sandwiches, salads and desserts are served. There is another panel, this time focused on film education. In attendance are representatives from La Femis film school in Paris, Effat University, Film Independent and the Studio School.
Dr. Bayan Alshabani explains that Effat University in Jeddah had been teaching filmmaking before cinemas reopened. And here’s the kicker: its students are exclusively women.
“Since we have smartphones, everyone is making movies. We have the talent, we just have to formally nurture those talents,” she later adds.
Maria Bozzi from Film Independent announces the launch of workshops in Saudi to collaborate with local writers. Glenn Kalison, the president of Studio School, is excited about training Saudi film crews.
It is easy to forget that just a few months ago cinemas were banned in Saudi Arabia. What the SFC is attempting to build is impressive. But what impresses me most are the filmmakers I meet.
A cursory talk with Mujtaba Saeed segues into a philosophical discussion. Maram Taibah has an eloquence and sensitivity about her. Musab Alamri is fast-talking and intelligent. Talha and Maan B. clearly look after and motivate one another.
Faisal Alotaibi is cultured and considered in his words. Seba Alluqmani is bubbly and enthusiastic. And Ali Alkalthami’s passion to foster a filmmaking community with his Telfaz11 online platform is inspiring.
Thunder shakes the pavilion, and one can easily mistake the lightning for camera flashes. Heavy rain pounds on the rooftop, deafening the chatter. But as the evening approaches the weather slowly begins to clear. Before dinner, Faisal Baltyuor, the head of the SFC, gives an impassioned speech to the filmmakers, asking them to share their advice and comments.
He is hopeful that the Saudi presence will be even bigger next year — and on the red carpet.
Over a live music performance, dinner is served: kefta, chicken kebabs, pasta, hummus and vine leaves. The ebullient SFC staff join in, wrapping the night up in song.

DAY 3
It’s late morning at the Croisette, and 21-year-old Saudi director Meshal Aljaser has just arrived from Los Angeles.
With long hair and wearing a blazer over a black kandura, he looks California cool. He’s funny, edgy and sarcastic. And he’s not shy about his ambitions.
“I’d like to make English international films someday, maybe when I’m old. But if you ask me what my dream is, what I really feel, I really want to perfect Saudi film. I hope to become an iconic Saudi director after I die where people can study me. If it doesn’t happen, it’s OK, at least I tried.”
His short film “Is Sumiyati Going to Hell?” has just screened along with the other Saudi shorts in a cozy cinema inside the Grand Palais. I came out of the screening impressed by the selection. There is diversity in both form and content. The filmmakers all managed to create personal works despite the restrictions they faced, and I noticed that humor was very often present, even in the films tackling heavy subject matters such as domestic abuse, religious tension and extremism.
The work made me look forward to seeing how local talent will in the coming years express itself within the context of Saudi’s traditions and cultural norms. The boundaries are widening, but will they be pushed even further by the film-makers?
This will no doubt be something that emerging artists will face.
“I like to tell my stories and imagine one day that my kids or my grandparents will watch them. I don’t want them to be uncomfortable watching what I make,” Talha B. told me.
The film-makers head back to the pavilion to attend a panel on film festivals, featuring the programmers from the Toronto, Venice and Clermont-Ferrand film festivals, who give tips for navigating the daunting circuit.
Soon after it ends, I notice whispering among the PR, filmmakers and members of the SFC staff. I’m not supposed to know what’s going on, but I soon find out; John Travolta pays the pavilion an impromptu visit.
I decide to wind down by watching a film at the Director’s Fortnight, one of the sidebar sections held in parallel to the Cannes Film Festival:
“Amin,” by Philippe Faucon. But I am so pleasantly tired from the past few days that I fall asleep. I’ll have to watch it again.
The three days have come to an end.
They went by in a flash, and I have the same feeling I had in summer camp when I was 17: a mix of fatigue, satisfaction and sadness that it has all come to an end. But the future of Saudi cinema is just beginning.

  • Hadi Ghandour is a Lebanese/JordanianBelgian screenwriter and director. His award-winning first feature film, “The Traveler,” toured film festivals around the world.

Amina Muaddi celebrates Paris opening at Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche

Updated 06 April 2025
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Amina Muaddi celebrates Paris opening at Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche

DUBAI: Jordanian Romanian shoe designer Amina Muaddi took to Instagram to celebrate the opening of her corner shop at the iconic Parisian department store Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche.

“Our first Parisian corner shop at @lebonmarcherivegauche is officially open today!! I’m so delighted to finally have a space of our own in the city where @aminamuaddiofficial was founded and in my favorite department store in Paris! So proud of my team. I hope it becomes your new favorite shopping destination,” she captioned the post.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by AMINA MUADDI (@aminamuaddi)

Muaddi launched her eponymous footwear line in August 2018, approximately one year after departing from her role as co-founder and creative director of luxury footwear label Oscar Tiye. 

Her distinct pumps, sling-backs, mules, boots and sandals in an array of vibrant colors and holographic designs have since garnered a loyal checklist of famous fans, including Beyonce, Dua Lipa, Gigi Hadid, Kylie Jenner and Hailey Bieber Baldwin. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by AMINA MUADDI (@aminamuaddi)

Last month, Muaddi attended the Maison Alaia Summer/Fall 2025 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week.

The footwear designer was spotted wearing an all-black ensemble featuring a sleek leather set with a structured, oversized silhouette. The standout element of her look was a fringe-detailed top that cascaded from her shoulders.

Her hair was slicked back into a bun, complementing her sharp, defined makeup, which featured a bronzed complexion, sculpted brows and a nude glossy lip.

Meanwhile, late last year, Muaddi celebrated a major fashion moment when Beyonce wore her custom Yigit pumps in a teaser for the star’s NFL Christmas Day Halftime Show on Netflix.

Muaddi shared the video on her Instagram Stories. In the clip, the music icon can be seen wearing the satin heels in black and adorned with studs.

In the clip that Beyonce also shared on her Instagram account, the music sensation was seen holding a banjo, a stringed instrument often linked to folk, country, and bluegrass music. She wore a wide-brimmed black hat paired with sleek sunglasses, a colorful patterned cape featuring red and blue hues, and a rhinestone-adorned top. The outfit was completed with black gloves and a black skirt. 


Steps to serenity: The rise of active meditation in Saudi Arabia

Updated 06 April 2025
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Steps to serenity: The rise of active meditation in Saudi Arabia

  • The rise in popularity of active meditation is down to inviting people to engage their bodies and minds in dynamic ways
  • Walking is one of the most popular acts in active meditation, with the slow, deliberate movements having an impact on those practicing i

RIYADH: A fresh wave of tranquility is sweeping through Saudi Arabia as locals embrace a global trend known as active meditation.

While some still turn to practices like yoga for inner peace, this modern twist — blending mindfulness with movement — is now making its mark in the Kingdom.

Laila Al-Marshad, a local who has included active meditation in her routine since last year, told Arab News: “I enjoy walking in nature or around my neighborhood for at least an hour each day. It’s incredibly beneficial for both the mind and soul.”

She added that dancing is also a popular choice and explained that any hobby a person enjoys can be a form of active meditation.

“I love fitness dancing because it allows me to let go, feel the rhythm, and fully be in the moment,” said Hanan Al-Harbi. “The combination of movement and music lifts my mood and gives me a sense of freedom.”

The rise in popularity of active meditation is down to inviting people to engage their bodies and minds in dynamic ways.

For some people this type of meditation is easier and more enjoyable because they find it challenging to sit still and quiet for traditional meditation.

Saudi woman Lamia Saad, who has taken up walking as active meditation, said: “I used to do yoga at a center near my house, but it was very difficult to keep silent. I kept thinking about work and my son every time I was at the class and I couldn’t focus at all.”

Walking is one of the most popular acts in active meditation, with the slow, deliberate movements having an impact on those practicing it.

People who go for walks usually consider it a form of stress relief and a break from their busy lifestyle.

But people walking slowly pay more attention to their steps and the rhythm of their breath, which may provide an opportunity to breathe slowly and reflect on thoughts and mindset.

Gardening is also a wonderful example of active meditation. In various East Asian cultures, elderly members of the community prefer this type of active meditation because it requires minimum effort, with lots of patience and hours spent in the garden.

The active meditation trend is helping locals engage with their bodies while reducing stress and minimizing anxiety.

It presents an opportunity to explore the connection between the body and mind through movement.
 


Sotheby’s to auction rare collection of Islamic arms, armor

Updated 05 April 2025
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Sotheby’s to auction rare collection of Islamic arms, armor

DUBAI: On Apr. 29 and 30, Sotheby’s will auction pieces from the Philippe Missillier Collection of Arms and Armor, one of the most important and rarest collections of its kind to come to auction.

The collection, which spans over 100 lots representing more than 500 years of history, features unique and iconic pieces from the Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal Empires. Before the auction, the collection will be exhibited at Sotheby’s Dubai in DIFC from April 7-11 and April 25-28.

It was assembled by Philippe Gilles Rene Missillier (1949-2022), a scholar and collector who spent more than 50 years studying, acquiring, visiting museums and documenting artifacts to master the subject of his interest: Arms of the Islamic world.

In 1988, a large majority of his collection was exhibited in Paris in the exhibition Splendour des Armes Orientales (The Splendor of Oriental Armor), marking the largest exhibition of its kind over the course of the 20th and 21st centuries. The Sotheby’s sale marks the first time his collection is being seen since then.

“This is a landmark sale,” Benedict Carter, Sotheby’s senior director and head of auction sales, Middle East, told Arab News. “For us, this is really the most significant sale in terms of Islamic arms and armor that has been staged.”

A Mughal jade-hilted dagger in the form of a horse, India, 18th century. (Supplied)

Highlights from the collection include weaponry across various Islamic dynasties from Spain to Indonesia, with the star of the auction one of a small group of personal swords belonging to Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, whose reign from 1629-58 marked a period of importance for Mughal architecture and cultural achievements. The sword carries the inscriptions “World-Capturer,” in an affirmation of Shah Jahan’s skills as a military commander. The sword is recorded in the accounts of Venetian traveler Niccolao Manucci, who documented the personal swords of Shah Jahan’s son, Aurangzeb, who most likely inherited it from his father.

The sword’s provenance is fascinating. It entered various prestigious collections during the 19th and 20th centuries, including those of Charles Canning, governor-general and first viceroy of India, and most recently that of George Henry Hubert Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood.

Neither Sotheby’s nor Christie’s has staged a standalone sale for arms and armor in about two decades, making the sale significant.

“Occasionally, in our various owner sales every April and October we have (arms and armor) pieces that have come up,” added Carter. “But this is the first time in recent memory that we’ve had a major single owner collection associated with a name that is synonymous with refined taste and deep scholarship.”


Imaan Hammam talks 'incredible time' in new campaign

Updated 05 April 2025
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Imaan Hammam talks 'incredible time' in new campaign

DUBAI: Dutch-Moroccan-Egyptian model Imaan Hammam took to Instagram to highlight Gap Studio’s inaugural campaign, in which she stars alongside US models Alex Consani and Anok Yai.

Gap Studio is a new high-end segment from the US retailer. Created by Zac Posen, Gap Inc.’s executive vice president and creative director, Collection 01 reflects Posen’s signature approach to tailoring and draping while reimagining Gap’s core textiles such as denim and poplin.

“Had the most incredible time bringing @zacposen’s designs to life for #GapStudio with @anokyai and @alexconsani,” Hammam captioned the post, featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the shoot.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Imaan Hammam (@imaanhammam)

Key pieces in the collection include the twill tailored trench coat, double-breasted blazer, high-rise sailor pant and poplin maxi shirtdress.

Earlier this year, Hammam took to Instagram to announce the launch of her new archival project, Ayni, which will highlight significant contributions to Arab film, art, music and literature.

“Meet Ayni (@ayni.vault), an archive dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Arab artistic expression through ‘my eyes,’” Hammam captioned the post on Instagram.

“Follow along as I highlight some of the most significant contributions to Arab film, art, music, and literature — both old and new — and celebrate the talented artists behind them. This project holds such a special place in my heart, and I hope you enjoy it just as much as I enjoy curating it.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Gap (@gap)

Late last year, the model made waves when she delivered the opening remarks at the highly regarded Fashion Trust Arabia Awards’ sixth event, in Marrakech, Morocco.

The 28-year-old went on stage in a black kaftan from Moroccan designer Selma Benomar. The heavily embroidered look highlighted Moroccan artistry and design, and paid tribute to the country’s royal family.

“So honored to open this year’s @fashiontrustarabia Awards here in the motherland,” Hamman said on Instagram. “Celebrating Arab artistry in the place where my roots run deep made this experience truly special. Proud to uplift the creativity that makes our culture unique. A special thank you to @selma_benomar_caftan for designing this gorgeous Moroccan custom-made caftan.”

Although Hammam was born and raised in Amsterdam, her mother is from Morocco and she visits the country frequently.

Hammam is one of the most in-demand models in the industry. She was scouted in Amsterdam’s Centraal Station before making her catwalk debut in 2013 by walking in Jean Paul Gaultier’s couture show.  


Spider-Man actor Andrew Garfield to attend MEFCC Abu Dhabi

Updated 05 April 2025
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Spider-Man actor Andrew Garfield to attend MEFCC Abu Dhabi

DUBAI: British American actor Andrew Garfield, known for playing Spider-Man, will appear at this year’s Middle East Film & Comic Con.

The three-day event will take place from April 18-20 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center.

The actor will join a list of celebrities that includes Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio from Marvel’s “Daredevil: Born Again,” “Star Wars” actor Ian McDiarmid, famous for portraying Emperor Palpatine in the space saga; and “Stranger Things” star Natalia Dyer.

Also joining the line-up are Grant Gustin, otherwise known as Barry Allen / The Flash, and Emily Rudd, the navigator of Netflix’s record-smashing, live-action show “One Piece.”

The stars are expected to take part in a panel discussion and will be available for autograph sessions.

Japanese voice actors Kotono Mitsuishi, Daiki Yamashita, Hideo Ishikawa and Kentaro Ito, and US voice actress Colleen O'Shaughnessey, will also attend.