And the Oscar goes to: A rundown of the silver screen favorites at the 2024 Academy Awards

Cillian Murphy has been nominated in the Best Actor category for his leading role in ‘Oppenheimer.’ (Supplied)
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Updated 07 March 2024
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And the Oscar goes to: A rundown of the silver screen favorites at the 2024 Academy Awards

DUBAI: Our rundown of the contenders for the major prizes at this year’s Academy Awards on March 11.

BEST PICTURE 

Given the ubiquity of the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon this summer, when Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” (pictured) were released simultaneously in cinemas, causing some kind of counterprogramming pop-culture meltdown, it was reasonable, perhaps, to imagine that friendly rivalry extending into awards season. And, yes, “Barbie” is one of the nominees here (and in seven other categories). But the truth is that, despite pulling in almost 50 percent more in box office receipts than “Oppenheimer” (which still did extremely well for itself), “Barbie” is a considerable distance behind in the running for Best Picture, where a win for “Oppenheimer” seems all but inevitable. That’s understandable, the latter ticks all kinds of Academy boxes — critically acclaimed, commercially successful biopic of an historically significant figure; tremendous performances from several cast members; fantastically shot; important topic that is also relevant at this moment in time… the list goes on. It’s kind of a shame, though, considering the strength of the field, which includes several films that could have walked away with the prize in many other years, not least the likely winner of the Best International Feature Film, “The Zone of Interest,” Jonathan Glazer’s extraordinary take on the story of the Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss, his wife Hedwig and their family and entourage as they make their home next to the concentration camp where unthinkable horrors are perpetrated. It contains. no scenes of the camp itself, but its sounds form a continual haunting backdrop to this subtle, moving portrayal of what philosopher Hannah Arendt famously called “the banality of evil.”  

Another international contender, Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall” — a gripping, intense French legal drama about a female writer who becomes a murder suspect after her husband dies in an apparent accident — would be a worthy winner. But so would all of this year’s nominees, whether it’s Martin Scorsese’s compelling and significant western crime drama “Killers of the Flower Moon” — a masterpiece that sees the veteran director cutting deep into America’s racist past (and present), Cord Jefferson’s biting satire “American Fiction” Celine Song’s moving romantic drama “Past Lives,” Alexander Payne’s highly affecting, low-key comedy-drama “The Holdovers,” or Bradley Cooper’s Leonard Bernstein biopic “Maestro.” The movie with the most reason to bemoan the almost certain dominance of “Oppenheimer,” though, is Yorgos Lanthimos’ unique, glorious, unclassifiable “Poor Things,” one of the most wildly inventive films to succeed at the box office in a long, long time.  

PREDICTED WINNER: ‘Oppenheimer’ 

BEST DIRECTOR 

Another category where “Oppenheimer” is the runaway favorite. Christopher Nolan is unquestionably a great filmmaker, one of the best of his generation, so it’s surprising that this is only his second nomination in this category (he lost out to Guillermo del Toro in 2018 when he was nominated for “Dunkirik”). Expect him to be taking home the Oscar this week though. As for the other nominees, see our writeup for Best Picture: they all deserve recognition for some truly great work, none more so than Yorgos Lanthimos (pictured), but they’re up against a juggernaut. So Lanthimos, Martin Scorsese, Justine Triet, and Jonathan Glazer are going to need to practice their loser’s smiles for the camera. 

PREDICTED WINNER: Christopher Nolan 




Christopher Nolan has been nominated in the Best Director category. (Getty Images)

BEST ACTOR 

Yes, we know, it’s getting boring, but — once again — it’s hard to see past Cillian Murphy’s immense performance in the title role of “Oppenheimer” for this prize. And to be this firm a favorite in such a strong field is testament to just how good Murphy is, especially when he’s working with Chris Nolan. Paul Giamatti (for his brilliantly restrained take on a repressed Classics professor in “The Holdovers” — pictured) is probably the contender with the biggest chance of causing an upset — but that ‘biggest chance’ is exceedingly small. Jeffrey Wright (pictured) is great as an exasperated author in “American Fiction,” while Bradley Cooper (“Maestro”) and Colman Domingo (“Rustin”) should both be proud of their work. But this will surely be Murphy’s award.  

PREDICTED WINNER: Cillian Murphy  

BEST ACTRESS 
As the only ‘major’ category with no “Oppenheimer” representation, this one is a little more open than most. Annette Benning as long-distance swimmer Diane Nyad in “Nyad,” Sandra Hüller as the wife suspected of killing her husband in “Anatomy of a Fall,” and Carey Mulligan as Bernstein’s long-suffering wife Felicia Montealegre in “Maestro” are all in with an (outside) shot, but it’s likely to be a showdown between two polar-opposite performances: Lily Gladstone is the first Native American actress to be nominated for this Oscar, and already picked up the Golden Globe for her commanding performance as Mollie in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which balances unflappable calmness and heart-wrenching vulnerability. At the other end of the scale is Emma Stone’s mesmeric, utterly abandoned portrayal of Bella Baxter, the resurrected child-woman at the heart of “Poor Things.” This one will be close.  

PREDICTED WINNER: Lily Gladstone. 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR 

One of the many great things about “Oppenheimer” is that it reminded audiences that Robert Downey Jr. — who has spent much of this century doing his (admittedly very entertaining) snarky billionaire superhero thing for Marvel — is a really, really good actor. He’s the frontrunner here, and Sterling K Brown (“American Fiction”), Robert De Niro (“Killers of the Flower Moon”), Mark Ruffalo (“Poor Things”) and Ryan Gosling (“Barbie”) are likely making up the numbers. Although Gosling could cause a shock because, y’know, he’s Ryan Gosling. 

PREDICTED WINNER: Robert Downey Jr.  

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS 

And finally… a category where “Oppenheimer” is nominated but not the favorite to win (even though Emily Blunt did a fantastic job as the physicist’s wife, Kitty). Instead, Da’Vine Joy Randolph (pictured) will likely (deservedly) pick up the award for her beautifully pitched performance as the cafeteria manager of the boarding school in “The Holdovers.” Her closest contender? Probably Danielle Brooks for her fiercely convincing portrayal of Sofia in “The Color Purple.” But if it isn’t Randolph, then all four of the other nominees — the other two being America Ferrera (“Barbie”) and Jodie Foster (“Nyad”) — have a good chance. 

PREDICTED WINNER: Da’Vine Joy Randolph 

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE 
Mstyslav Chernov’s “20 Days in Mariupol” leads the field, not least because Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to make headlines around the world. As Variety wrote, it is “bleak but essential viewing.” That could also be applied to Nisha Pahuja’s disturbing “To Kill A Tiger,” which follows a family in rural India campaigning for justice after their teenage daughter is raped. The Saudi-backed “Four Daughters,” Kaouther Ben Hania’s inventive look at a Tunisian mother with four daughters, two of whom run off to join Daesh, also has difficult subject matter at its core, but offers several rays of light in the darkness and could give Chernov’s film a run for its money on the night. Maite Alberdi’s deeply moving “The Eternal Memory” and Christopher Sharp and Moses Bwayo’s “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” are both must-sees too. 

PREDICTED WINNER: ‘Four Daughters’


Kef Hayyak? Seeing Saudi neighborhoods through the eyes of emerging filmmakers

Updated 30 April 2025
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Kef Hayyak? Seeing Saudi neighborhoods through the eyes of emerging filmmakers

JEDDAH: Eighteen aspiring filmmakers have taken to the streets of their neighborhoods armed with nothing but their phones and a vision for the grassroots documentary challenge, “Kef Hayyak?”

The project, initiated by Art Jameel in collaboration with the Red Sea International Film Festival, invited participants to reflect the spirit of their communities in short documentaries.

Months after the February 2025 open call, the winners have been announced, and their films will premiere as part of the Red Sea Documentary Days this May at Hayy Cinema.

The program, which began as a concept in 2021 and has since grown into an annual platform, continues to break down barriers in filmmaking by expanding access to wider creative communities across Saudi Arabia. For the first time, the 2025 event also welcomed participants from Makkah, with one of the city’s filmmakers making it to the jury-selected top three.

The initiative culminates in a public screening at Hayy Cinema, featuring the three jury-selected winners — Eyad Al-Zahrani’s “Between,” Asia Lajam & Nad’s “A World Between Buildings,” and Alisha Khan’s “Nam Ghar, Jeddah” — alongside two audience favorites, “Hay Alakaber” by Amal Al-Zahrani and Othoub Al-Bedaiwi, and “From the Olives to the Sea” by Haya Al-Bhaisi and Mohammed Khalid.

A jury, comprising head of Hayy Cinema, Zohra Ait El-Jamar, director and actress, Fatima Al-Banawi, and director and actress, Ophelie Legris — evaluated the films based on creativity, relevance and narrative strength.

El-Jamar told Arab News: “‘Kef Hayyak?’ draws its essence from the name of Hayy Jameel and reflects our ongoing mission to connect with new audiences in meaningful ways. The project was first imagined in 2021, and after the success of its first edition, it has grown into an annual platform that empowers emerging filmmakers.

“Through this short documentary film competition, we invite aspiring talents to explore their neighborhoods using just their phones. I created the concept with the vision of breaking down barriers in filmmaking and expanding access to a wider creative community. It’s also a powerful way to document the ever-changing urban fabric of Jeddah — and now Makkah.

“We see this as a powerful launchpad for emerging talent, and we’re actively working to expand the program with deeper mentorship and professional opportunities in the years to come,” she added.

Audience Choice Award winner, Al-Zahrani, who hails from Makkah, said: “The movie covers a neighborhood that lacks identity and how it affects me and the residents in our day-to-day lives. Winning was such a heartwarming experience, seeing my work acknowledged and the story of my people and neighborhood embraced and loved. I plan to keep improving my documentary skills and hope to release a movie about a lawyer later this year.”

Khan’s winning documentary explores the Musrefah neighborhood of Jeddah and its vibrant Desi (Pakistani and Indian) community.

“My film ‘Naam Ghar, Jeddah’ is a documentary film which acts as a time capsule for me to look back on not only my neighborhood but the people living in it, especially the often-overlooked Desi community in Jeddah, where even the people themselves think the outer world is not interested in them,” Khan said.

“It aims to explore their dreams, identities and quiet resilience through simple, human questions, like what is your favorite color or what gives you happiness.”

Khan believes in the power of cinema to humanize and connect communities, emphasizing how platforms such as Hayy Jameel empower storytellers like herself. Her goal is to keep documenting life in Jeddah, capturing its present for future generations.

Al-Bhaisi told Arab News: “‘From the Olives to the Sea’ is a short documentary that explores the contrast and emotional connection between two places — Jeddah, where I feel a deep sense of belonging, and Gaza, the place I’m originally from but never fully connected with.

“Winning the Audience Choice Award honestly means the world to us. It shows that people connected with our story, and that’s all we ever wanted — to be heard, and to make others feel something real.”


Christie’s Islamic and Indian art auction showcases rare pieces

Updated 30 April 2025
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Christie’s Islamic and Indian art auction showcases rare pieces

LONDON: Ahead of its “Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds including Rugs and Carpets” auction here on May 1, Christie’s experts recently shared insights with Arab News about the rare lots going under the hammer. 

Sara Plumbly, director and head of the Islamic and Indian art department, highlighted an illuminated Kufic Qur’an folio, likely from Damascus, Umayyad Syria, dated to the 8th or 9th century.

“This Surah Al-Baqarah … is very early on in the Qur’an (chapter two titled ‘The Cow’), and you have this wonderful illuminated border. While you often see a line or two thick — here you have this hugely complicated border with beautiful colors.”

Although several illuminated Kufic manuscripts were produced, there were few survivors and generally fragmentary, since their placement at the front of a manuscript meant that they were more exposed to wear and tear, according to Christie’s website.

An illuminated Kufic Qur’an folio, likely from Damascus. (Supplied)

A collection of 11th century Fatimid gold jewelry caught the eye, to which Plumbly commented: “Jewellery of this type very rarely comes on the market.

“I think one of the reasons is that they are made of gold which is quite fragile and malleable and also, because it is such a precious material, gold is often melted down and used for other objects through the course of history, so it doesn’t survive in great quantities.”

A collection of 11th century Fatimid gold jewelry caught the eye. (Supplied)

At the pre-sale press exhibition in London, there was also a striking Iznik pottery dish from Ottoman Turkiye, circa 1585-1590. This was complete with bole red, cobalt blue, green and black accents, as well as saz leaves and pomegranates against a background of dense black scrolls.

A striking Iznik pottery dish from Ottoman Turkiye, circa 1585-1590. (Supplied)

Louise Broadhurst, director and international head of the department of rugs and carpets, pointed to The Hans Konig Collection of Classical Chinese Carpets.

There was a magnificent Imperial Ming “Qi” Dragon Palace carpet dating from the Wanli period, circa 1575-1600.

“It is one of just seven complete Dragon carpets that remain outside of China,” she explained.

“It  would have originally been red in color, woven with a Brazilwood dye which at the time emulated the red that was the Imperial color of the emperor but sadly with time it faded quite rapidly to this sandy yellow color that we see today.

“It displays the ‘Qi’ dragon —a juvenile dragon in a naturalistic life form with cloud-like body, symbolic of an energetic life force. It’s married with the peony which is another symbol for beauty. It would imbue all of the powers that the emperor wanted.”

The live auction is at Christie’s London headquarters with 129 lots set to go under the hammer.

 


Victoria Beckham drops capsule collection with Mideast retailer

Updated 30 April 2025
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Victoria Beckham drops capsule collection with Mideast retailer

  • British singer and designer launches in Dubai with influencers
  • Beckham expresses ‘joy’ over women here wearing her designs

DUBAI: British fashion designer and singer Victoria Beckham hosted an intimate dinner in Dubai this week with some of the city’s leading style influencers to celebrate her exclusive capsule collection with Middle Eastern online luxury retailer Ounass.

The collaboration includes a dedicated pop-up at the Ounass Maison, located in Dubai’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Jumeirah.

It features a curated selection of Spring/Summer 2025 pieces, including designs created specifically for the Middle East. The collection is also available online.

“So excited to be here in Dubai to celebrate my capsule for @ounass,” she wrote on Instagram. “Coming here and seeing how Emirati women are wearing my clothes and making them their own brings me so much joy.”

The dinner was attended by several fashion influencers, including Karen Wazen, her sister Andrea Wazen, Dima Al-Sheikhly, Dana Hourani, Sossi Wartanian, Jessica Kahawaty, Deema Al-Asadi and Rym Saidi.

Guests posed for photos with Beckham, who wore a shiny silver-white satin dress featuring a one-shoulder design, soft draping across the bodice, and a gathered detail at the hip that flowed into an asymmetrical hem. She completed the look with clear pointed heels.

Beckham attended the event with her youngest daughter, Harper Seven, 13, who matched her mother in a sleek, floor-length satin gown in a light silver shade.

Harper’s dress featured thin spaghetti straps, a straight neckline, and a smooth, fitted silhouette. She completed the look with a black clutch.

Victoria was not the only member of the Beckham household making fashion headlines this week.

Her husband, football legend David Beckham, is also making a foray into the fashion world with the announcement of a major new collaboration.

In Spring/Summer 2025, BOSS will launch “BECKHAM x BOSS,” the brand’s first collection co-designed with David.

The pieces will draw inspiration from the star’s personal style, and promises to blend modern tailoring with heritage influences.

“We have been very much looking forward to this launch and are more than excited to see how these pieces are received by our end consumers,” said Daniel Grieder, CEO of Hugo Boss, in a statement.

“This collection is based on our strategic priority that product is key and our goal to seamlessly dress our customers for every occasion with our brands.”


Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Timur Bekmambetov pick eight UAE stories to lead screenlife rollout

Updated 29 April 2025
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Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Timur Bekmambetov pick eight UAE stories to lead screenlife rollout

ABU DHABI: Ben Ross, CEO of Image Nation Abu Dhabi, joined Kazakh-Russian film director and producer Timur Bekmambetov on Tuesday at the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi to discuss screenlife, a pioneering format developed by Bekmambetov that is coming to the region for the first time.

Screenlife is a style of filmmaking where the entire story takes place on a digital screen — through text messages, video calls, social media and other everyday apps — reflecting how people communicate in today’s tech-driven world. Notable examples include the horror film “Unfriended” (2014) and the mystery thriller “Searching” (2018).

Ben Ross (L) and Timur Bekmambetov (R) at the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi. (AN Photo by Mohamed Fawzy)

In the session, Ross and Bekmambetov announced that they have selected eight stories from UAE filmmakers to bring to life after the launch of the Screenlife Program in June 2024, which aims to help UAE citizens and residents master this new format and create authentic narratives with global resonance.

“We were drawn to it because it is so innovative and so forward-thinking,” Ross told Arab News. “We enjoyed the screenlife movies, and it just felt like a natural step to evolve it into this region.”

Bekmambetov emphasized the universality of digital communication. “The digital world is the same universally. There is a different cultural element … but every family has a WhatsApp chat with hundreds of people on it. My family in Kazakhstan have one, and the internet in Abu Dhabi is the same,” he told Arab News.

He said that the format is “socially very impactful” and can give voice to those often left out of traditional cinema. “Because it costs nothing, you can tell stories about your individual life with no money. It will help us to engage very different storytellers.”

Ross noted that the selected projects reflect a wide range of stories. “Every story that we have chosen ... stood out in its own way. There’s a huge variety being told — it’s not formulaic.”

Bekmambetov also noted that Muslim women lead very different lifestyles, saying, “maybe screenlife will bring their stories to life,” to which Ross added that some of the stories currently in development already do.


Kehlani responds to concert cancellation over ‘anti-Israel sentiments’

Updated 29 April 2025
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Kehlani responds to concert cancellation over ‘anti-Israel sentiments’

DUBAI: US singer Kehlani has taken to social media after her appearance at Cornell University’s annual campus concert was cancelled due to her pro-Palestine stance.

Last week, Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff announced he was withdrawing the R&B singer’s invitation to perform at the event due to what he called “antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Kehlani (@kehlani)

“Unfortunately, although it was not the intention, the selection of Kehlani as this year’s headliner has injected division and discord into Slope Day,” Kotlikoff wrote last week, referring to the concert.

“For that reason, I am rescinding Kehlani’s invitation and expect a new lineup for a great 2025 Slope Day to be announced shortly.”

He continued: “In the days since Kehlani was announced, I have heard grave concerns from our community that many are angry, hurt, and confused that Slope Day would feature a performer who has espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos, and on social media. While any artist has the right in our country to express hateful views, Slope Day is about uniting our community, not dividing it.”

In a new Instagram video responding to the cancellation, Kehlani said: “I am being asked and called to clarify and make a statement yet again for the millionth time, that I am not antisemitic nor anti-Jew. I am anti-genocide, I am anti the actions of the Israeli government, I am anti an extermination of an entire people, I’m anti the bombing of innocent children, men women… that’s what I’m anti.”

The 30-year-old, a frequent collaborator with the Jewish Voice for Peace group, added a caption, stating: “I know you’ve seen Cornell University cancelled my show, and now there are attempts at other cancellations on top of the cancellations I’ve already experienced over the past year. If you want to cancel me from opportunity, stand on it being because of your Zionism. don’t make it anti-Jew. this a played out game. all this because we want people to stop dying. I hope this helps.”