DUBAI: French Algerian actress Lyna Khoudri took to social media to drum up support for “Bye Bye Tiberias,” which is eligible in the documentary category at the 50th Cesar Awards in France.

France’s answer to the Academy Awards, the Cesar Awards will be held on Feb. 28, with voting for all categories closing on Jan. 28.

The awards are voted on by a cohort of 4,000 professionals in the film and media industries.

Khoudri does not feature in “Bye Bye Tiberias,” French Palestinian Algerian filmmaker Lina Soualem’s documentary feature that follows Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass. Best known for her roles in HBO’s “Succession” and Hulu’s “Ramy,” as well as films including “Munich” and “Blade Runner 2049.” Abbass grew up in the Galilean village of Deir Hanna. In her early 20s, she made the decision to leave her family home and follow her dream of becoming an actress in Europe. Behind her she left her mother, grandmother, and seven sisters. 

It is this decision that is central to “Bye Bye Tiberias.” Reflecting on Abbass’ chosen exile and the ways in which the women of her family have influenced her and her mother’s lives, Soualem’s film portrays four generations of daring Palestinian women, including her great grandmother, Um Ali, her grandmother Nemat, and her great aunt Hosnieh. 

“When my mother reads a poem about my great grandmother, we can feel that she is overwhelmed by emotion,” Soualem, who is also Abbass’ daughter, previously told Arab News.

“And the story of my great aunt combines all the tragedy of our family, because it’s the loss of place, it’s the separation from family, it’s the body separated from the soil. I couldn’t imagine being separated from my mother and sister for 30 years. And what is impressive is that, despite all of this, my great aunt seems to be a model of femininity and positivity for my mother. The one who lost the most is the one who taught her the most.” 

Khoudri also took to Instagram to promote director Hakim Atoui’s “Blood Ties” in the Best Short Fiction Film category.

“When Ali and Leila visit their mother, who has just been discharged from hospital, they have some revelations to make. They are shocked to discover that she is now living with Elyo, a medical assistance robot. Lunch with this strange machine soon turns into a family feud,” the logline of the film reads.

DUBAI: Dubai Opera played host to a world premiere this week that reimagines orchestral music for a new generation of music lovers.

“Global Waltzing — from Johann Strauss to Hans Zimmer,” presented by The Limitless Orchestra, took place at the intimate venue at the heart of Dubai on Jan. 10 and 11.

The brainchild of Russian-German violinist and composer Aleksey Igudesman, the orchestra enjoys the distinguished patronage of legendary film composer Hans Zimmer, who also made a special guest appearance on stage on both nights.

Under Igudesman’s innovative “fail forward” approach, “The Limitless Orchestra” breathes new life into the traditional boundaries of symphonic artistry, blending timeless musical techniques with contemporary creativity to deliver an experience that is as daring as it is transformative.

“The world definitely does not need another orchestra, for sure, but I think the world needs this orchestra and other orchestras like it,” Igudesman said ahead of the show.

“The orchestra essentially has not changed, or an orchestra has not changed its format more or less for 150 years. It has become an institution, a very vital cultural institution. But everything that stays the same becomes stagnant and becomes a museum, and then dies eventually, and we do not want an orchestra to die. So, for me, I think launching the ‘Limitless’ orchestra with the help of my great friends is something that I just had to do, because I did not want to have the things that I love so much die, and I wanted to show a possible new way of doing things.”

The show sees the orchestra revitalize the timeless works of Johann Strauss, skillfully blending the cherished compositions of the Austrian king of the waltz with the epic film music of Hollywood legend Zimmer.

Zimmer, displaying his trademark humility, said: “I don’t think there are limitations to classical music. I would hate to go about ruining Bach or Mozart. That’s their music and we can have new music.

“I’m just a peasant of music. I write film music. But the weird thing is that every day I get to go out and hire an orchestra. I get to go out and play in arenas for 20,000 people. So, something is working with what I’m doing. I’m adding instruments to the orchestra, I’m adding playfulness.”

The program will showcase a dazzling fusion of classical and cinematic music through an innovative selection of compositions, including the opening piece, “Emperor Waltz, Sultan Style,” by Igudesman and Tristan Schulze, inspired by Johann Strauss.

Other pieces include “Sherlock Holmes Fantasy,” “From Time to Time — Inception Waltz,” and “The Banker’s Waltz.”

Igudesman, celebrated for his electrifying performances and whimsical approach to classical music, will perform original works and innovative compositions, accompanied by the mesmerizing voice of soprano Ekaterina Shelehova.