Tabloid
Meg Ryan, Priyanka Chopra in UAE for Middle East International Film Festival
Hollywood and Bollywood stars are seen at the red carpet opening of the Middle East International Film Festival.
- By Kelly Crane, Staff Reporter
- Published: 14:24 October 11, 2008
- This is all so exciting, says Meg Ryan. Her latest film, The Women, is out next month in the UAE.
- Image Credit: EPA
Screams and cheers filled a giant courtyard at the Emirates Palace Hotel as Hollywood leading lady Meg Ryan made an unexpected entrance for the opening of the Middle East International Film Festival.
Festival organsiers played the ultimate trump card after keeping her appearance under wraps until the stunning actress made her first steps on the red carpet.
Ryan reacted in style as the crowd went wild and posed for photographers before signing autographs and speaking to various UAE television crews.
"I am very excited to be here and had no idea I would get that kind of reception. This is all so exciting," she said.
Dressed in a strapless black dress, Ryan stood hands on hips and pulled faces as a seemlingly endless line of photographers hustled for the best shot of the talented beauty.
Ryan was joined by other Hollywood A-listers including Antonio Banderas and his wife Melanie Griffith, who have been in the UAE since Wednesday. The couple laughed along the red carpet and made jokes with fans and media before heading into the impressive 1,000-seat theatre.
Ladies went weak at the knees as the handsome Adrien Brody and Rian Johnson, star and director respectively of Middle East premiere and opening night gala screening of Brothers Bloom, stepped into the spotlight.
"This is such an honour for us and we are very pleased to be here, " said Brody as he was ushered along the red carpet. "I just hope people enjoy the film. I like it."
The Hollywood icons were also joined by an array of Arab cinema stars, including Egyptians Yousra and Hussain Fahmi, for the opening ceremony of the 10-day festival, which is now in its second year.
The show began with Johnson's film The Brothers Bloom, which features Oscar-winner Brody along with Rachel Weisz.
celebs galore
Bollywood fans were catered for as well as well-known Bollywood screen star and former Miss World, Priyanka Chopra, made her way along the beach-front red carpet.
And the celebs will keep on coming as legendary Hollywood actress Jane Fonda will be honoured during the festival, while Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon will take part in a panel discussing socially conscious cinema.
Sir Ben Kingsley also arrived yesterday to attend a special screening of movie Ghandi at the hotel.
More than 130 films from 35 countries will be screened at the second edition of the Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF), organised by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH).
Around 70 movies including feature and short films and documentaries will compete for the Black Pearl Awards with prizes totalling more than $1.5 million (Dh5.5 million), which according to organisers is the world's largest purse for film awards.
For more information visit www.meiff.com
Share this article
Related Articles
-
Banderas movie counting on Arab help
Hollywood heartthrob Banderas denies getting death threat over movie
-
Celebrities to attend Abu Dhabi film fest
Host of celebrities to descend on Abu Dhabi for Mideast film fest
Covering everything from entertainment and lifestyle
