Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz University to host cinematic film festival
One-day inaugural festival, a brainchild of the communication and media college, signifies a practical step towards fostering creativity and innovation in the vital field of filmmaking
Ayman Naji Bajnaid, the dean of the college, highlighted the festival as part of a broader series of initiatives aimed at enhancing educational and training programs
Updated 14 November 2023
Arab News
JEDDAH: The King Abdulaziz University Film Festival, themed “We Dream Through Your Eyes,” will be held on Tuesday.
The one-day inaugural festival, a brainchild of the communication and media college, signifies a practical step towards fostering creativity and innovation in the vital field of filmmaking.
The festival will be attended by Hana Abdullah Ali Al-Nuaim, the acting president of KAU.
Ayman Naji Bajnaid, the dean of the college, highlighted the festival as part of a broader series of initiatives aimed at enhancing educational and training programs.
These efforts align seamlessly with the Vision 2030 aspirations, showcasing the commitment of the college and the university to contribute to the nation’ developmental goals.
Bajnaid emphasized the pivotal role played by the visual and audio production department within the college.
He noted the remarkable skills and excellence demonstrated by students in the creation of a distinguished collection of dramatic and documentary films.
This, he believes, signifies a promising future for these talented individuals in the film industry, as they contribute to the growth and diversification of Saudi cinema.
The festival program promises a rich and engaging experience for attendees.
It includes the screening of 10 diverse films, critique sessions led by esteemed committee members, award presentations for winning films, and the honoring of all participants.
It aims to showcase the talents of students and to provide a platform for constructive feedback and recognition within the larger cinematic community.
The event will commence at 10 a.m. at the King Faisal Conference Center on the university campus.
Architect Lina Ghotmeh to redesign British Museum’s Western Range Galleries
Updated 02 March 2025
Rebecca Anne Proctor
DUBAI: Lebanese-helmed architecture firm Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture (LG-A) will redesign the British Museum’s Western Range galleries after winning the contract in a competition.
The Paris-based firm, founded by Beirut-born Ghotmeh, will transform the museum’s historic building the houses some of the world’s greatest antiquities.
The competition for the project ran for nine months and attracted more than 60 teams. Five were shortlisted, including Reem Koolhaas and David Chipperfield, and were invited to take part in a two-stage competition, from which LG-A emerged as the winner.
Renderings of the proposed design by LG - A. (Supplied)
Gotmeh’s vision for the redesign for the galleries resonated with the judges due to its archaeological approach to the architectural design in what the museum is calling “one of the biggest cultural renovations undertaken anywhere in the world.”
“In Lina Ghotmeh we have an architect who combines a deep sensitivity to the history of our great collection while being a voice for the future,” said George Osborne, chairman of the British Museum and chair of the judging panel, in a statement. “We had many outstanding entries – and I thank the other practices for all their hard work – but I can say as chair of the judging panel, she was the standout winner.
“Her design ideas excited and enthused the trustees; when they become real buildings and galleries, we know they will excite and enthuse our millions of visitors,” added Osborne.
Lina Ghotmeh and Nicholas Cullinan in the Western Range. (The Trustees of the British Museum)
The judging panel comprised of experts in the field of architecture including Yvonne Farrell, Meneesha Kellay, Mahrukh Tarapor, and Sarah Younger. Alongside Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, were representatives from the British Museum’s Board of Trustees — artist Tracey Emin, Charlie Mayfield and Alejandro Santo Domingo.
Ghotmeh, who grew up in Beirut during the 1980s amid the Lebanese civil war, is known for her sensitivity when designing projects. In 2023, she designed the Serpentine Pavilion London, making her the second female architect to do so after Zaha Hadid. She has also been commissioned to design a contemporary art museum in AlUla, Saudi Arabia’s ancient desert region in the northwestern part of the country. In 2005, she won the international competition for the design of the Estonian National Museum while working in London and collaborating with Ateliers Jean Nouvel and Foster & Partners.
“The beauty of this project lies in how my work process is both confirmed and enriched by a project like the British Museum,” Ghotmeh told Arab News, adding how winning the project gave her “a feeling of sharing, of collective joy, an expression of deep humanity that arises from the connections and emotions these moments evoke.”
Renderings of the proposed design by LG - A. (Supplied)
Ghotmeh’s team also features Lebanese artist Ali Cherri, winner of the Silver Lion at the Venice Biennale in 2022, who is known for his art exploring cultural heritage, particularly in Lebanon and the wider Mediterranean, and geopolitics.
While prestigious, the redesign will be challenging. The Western Galleries, which comprise a third of the museum’s overall gallery space, total 15,650 square meters. The complex area includes the original 1850s buildings that were designed by Robert Smirke and later additions — all of which need to be renovated to meet present building standards. Many of the galleries contain important “heritage building fabric” the museum has said.
Ghotmeh also notes the feeling of responsibility in redesigning such an important museum, stating how she feels “the responsibility to bring our visions to life and continue this path of striving for quality and beauty.”
“Each project, for me, is a historical, material, and creative journey — like ‘archaeology of the future.’
“I am thrilled to design with a deep understanding of this museum — its history, the possibilities of what a 21st-century museum could be, the collection, its provenance, and the stories it should tell,” added Ghotmeh. “It’s about finding ways to engage with it, creating dialogue, and turning spaces into vessels. This is an opportunity to create extraordinary places that inspire a deep connection with the world.”
Health-conscious Ramadan recipes: Easy detox curry by chef Mayssam Abdulkhalek
Updated 01 March 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: Executive chef Mayssam Abdulkhalek at Qatar’s Zulal Wellness Resort shares a clean eating recipe for iftar.
This detox curry is high in vitamins and minerals and low in calories due to the inclusion of beta-carotene-packed pumpkin, fiber-rich kohlrabi and cauliflower.
Billed as the Middle East’s first full immersion wellbeing resort, Zulal Wellness Resort’s offerings are based on the core tenets of traditional Arabic and Islamic medicine.
Detox curry
Ingredients:
30 gr Pumpkin
40 gr Kohlrabi
20 gr Purple Cauliflower
20 gr Cauliflower
10 gr Mushroom
1 gr Sweet Basil
40 gr Coconut Milk
60 ml Vegetable Stock
0.1 gr Salt
2 gr Coconut Sugar
Detox Curry Paste
250 ml Vegetable Stock
50 gr Red Chili
1 gr Kaffir Lime Leaf
75 gr Garlic
50 gr Galangal
Instructions:
Curry Paste
1. Peel all vegetables, cut thinly, and put in the blender.
2. Blend with vegetable stock until smooth in texture.
Curry
1. In a large saucepan, bring the coconut milk and curry paste to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the kohlrabi, cauliflower, pumpkin, and mushroom. Bring to a simmer until vegetables are tender.
Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio tease intense Daredevil-Kingpin showdown in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’
Disney+ releases 2-episode premiere March 5
Actors highlight characters’ evolving dynamics
Updated 01 March 2025
Shyama Krishna Kumar
DUBAI: Marvel fans are all set for a return to Hell’s Kitchen as Disney+ gears up for the release of “Daredevil: Born Again,” a revival of the beloved “Daredevil” series that originally streamed on Netflix.
The new show brings back Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock, the blind lawyer who moonlights as the horned vigilante, and Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk, the formidable crime boss known as Kingpin.
Ahead of the show’s two-episode premiere on March 5, Cox and D’Onofrio shared insights into their characters’ evolving dynamics in a virtual press conference.
Cox assured fans that while Murdock remains fundamentally the same character, he faces new emotional and psychological challenges. “It’s hard to talk about without spoilers,” he said.
“Early on, Matt suffers a trauma that forces him to rethink and rediscover his identity in a way we haven’t seen before. He ends up going down a path that I’d describe as a Band-Aid that has to be ripped off slowly and painfully.”
The revival finds Murdock attempting to leave his vigilante past behind, only to be drawn back into a dangerous game as Fisk reemerges — not as a crime lord, but as a politician running for mayor of New York City.
Their conflicting paths set the stage for a fresh yet intense confrontation between the two.
D’Onofrio highlighted the rarity of direct face-offs between Daredevil and Kingpin, despite their deep-seated rivalry. “We’ve only been in five or six scenes together over the years,” he revealed.
“And that’s because when we do share a scene, it has to mean something — it’s always at the beginning of something, or the end, or sometimes both. It has to be intense.”
This time, the show takes a different approach, bringing the two adversaries together much earlier in the season. Cox explained that this shift creates a fresh dynamic.
“Bringing us together early on is something we haven’t done before,” he said. “It puts them in a position where they have to trust each other’s ability to stay true to who they say they are. That changes the game.”
D’Onofrio also offered a metaphorical take on the characters’ struggles. “We’re both broken men trying to live in the daylight,” he said. “It’s like vampires trying to walk in the sun — it’s a struggle.
“He’s got his thing, I’ve got my plan, and putting us together creates an unavoidable tension.”
Saudi artist Mawadah Muhtasib collaborates with Harrods for Ramadan and Eid
Updated 28 February 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: London’s luxury department store Harrods announced on Friday its collaboration with celebrated Saudi calligrapher Mawadah Muhtasib for its Ramadan and Eid campaign.
This is the third year in a row that Harrods has collaborated with an Arab calligrapher.
Muhtasib is known for her Arabic calligraphy, using Muthana (mirror writing) and reverse script. Her work modernizes traditional calligraphy while keeping its original essence.
“Ramadan Kareem,” Mawadah Muhtasib. (Supplied)
For this collaboration, Muhtasib created two bespoke artwork pieces that blend Islamic floral motifs with her distinctive style.
The first, featuring the message “Ramadan Kareem,” is set against a deep-blue backdrop, reflecting the spiritual ambience of Ramadan.
The second design, adorned with “Eid Mubarak,” embraces a vibrant pink palette, symbolizing the joy and festivity of Eid celebrations.
“Eid Mubarak,” Mawadah Muhtasib. (Supplied)
“I am thrilled to collaborate with Harrods to mark Ramadan and Eid this year,” Muhtasib said. “Arabic calligraphy holds a profound power beyond artistic beauty — it is a true reflection of heritage, culture and design that transcends all generations.
“For this collection, it was important for me to capture the harmony between the elegance of Arabic script and the beauty of nature. The floral illustrations of the design showcase the versatility of Arabic calligraphy, affirming its place in the world of luxury and design,” she said.
Muhtasib’s creations will be showcased throughout Harrods’ Ramadan and Eid campaign, including their in-store displays, digital greetings, social content and in the iconic Knightsbridge food halls.
Additionally, Muhtasib’s artwork will feature on Harrods’ Eid gifting packaging.
Georgina Rodriguez visits children’s cancer center in Saudi
Updated 28 February 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez visited the King Fahd National Centre for Children’s Cancer this week to support young patients.
During her visit, Rodriguez hugged and spoke with the children, and joined in their play with the dolls. (Supplied)
She was joined by Monica Esteban, president of the Spanish charity, the Juegaterapia Foundation, as they distributed Baby Pelones dolls featuring a scarf designed by Rodriguez.
During her visit, Rodriguez hugged and spoke with the children, and joined in their play with the dolls.
She was joined by Monica Esteban, president of the Spanish charity, the Juegaterapia Foundation, as they distributed Baby Pelones dolls featuring a scarf designed by Rodriguez. (Supplied)
The visit is a part of the foundation’s efforts to create a supportive hospital environment through therapeutic play, which helps improve the emotional well-being of children with cancer.
