Entertainment | Film & Cinema
Making a diff-erence
Diff chairman Abdul Hamid Juma believes that film can act as a universal language, narrowing the gaps between cultures and promoting tolerance
- By Kelly Crane, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:39 December 10, 2008
- Image Credit: Arshad Ali/Gulf News
- Nowadays the Emirati Chairman of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) can watch the latest movies at some of the most prestigious and upmarket venues around the world.
Few would believe Abdul Hamid Juma watched his first film from the back of a Land Rover, bobbing and ducking in order to see above the heads of those around him.
Nowadays the Emirati Chairman of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) can watch the latest movies at some of the most prestigious and upmarket venues around the world.
Although, on many occasions — and for the benefit of DIFF — he chooses not to.
"I am in a position to attend film festivals around the world and be treated like a king, but I often opt not to," says Juma, waiting for a reaction before he explains why.
"It doesn't do me any favours to experience another festival that way. Instead, I will often wait in line and buy myself a ticket and try and go through the process to get a feel for what it's like to be a paying customer — how long you have to wait; some of the problems a guest may encounter. All these things will help make our festival better each year."
Appointed chairman of DIFF in 2006, Juma was part of the team which, in 2004, launched the festival that would go on to become a world-class event.
Guided
"I believe I was guided by a belief that through film and art, the gaps between cultures could be narrowed by using one common language to communicate messages of tolerance and understanding."
He developed an eclectic taste for varying genres of filmmaking and thrived on educating himself on the new trends in cinema on an international level.
"I have learnt so much about film and the industry. I still remember watching my first film as a child in the '60s and it seems so far removed from where I am now.
"Missionaries from Kuwait would drive around in a Land Rover and would screen films outdoors. But it wasn't always easy to see, because we only had one television for the whole neighbourhood — so it would be a challenge to duck and see the screen. It was a Yousuf Chahine film, because everyone loved his films."
Juma's passion is now focused on the history of Arab cinema, and more specifically the future of cinema in the UAE. He became active in supporting independent cinema, especially from the GCC region, and has a keen interest in nurturing thriving local talent. "My dream is for the people of the Arab world to have the opportunities to make and market films around the globe.
"We have so much potential and the film festival is such a wonderful platform. Together we can make it happen and I believe it isn't far away."
Balance
While Juma admits it's the local people he wants to help, he says it's a fine balance between Hollywood and home. "I have been to eight festivals this year alone and I believe finding the balance between celebrity and cinema is an important issue.
"Some festivals have all the stars on the red carpet, but no content when it comes to the films and vice versa.
"I want the stars to come to Dubai, but I think if we want to maintain and grow our credibility, then we need to stay true to what's on the screen."
Having never paid for an actor, actress, director or producer to attend DIFF, Juma proudly recalls his interactions with the stars. "Orlando Bloom sat in a restaurant in the Mina A'Salam and asked where the Chicago Villa complex was. I looked at him and told him we were sitting where the villas used to stand and explained they had been demolished so the hotel could be built.
"He told me he came to visit his uncle who was staying at the villas when he was 11 and had always wanted to return.
To see his face as he genuinely explained the reason he accepted to come to the festival was actually to see Dubai — and not just for a cheque — was incredibly rewarding."
And it wasn't only Bloom, as George Clooney and Oliver Stone had similar stories to tell.
"George was an amazingly humble guy and he told me he wanted to come to see the UAE to experience the Arab world. He was very knowledgeable about the area as he had Kuwaiti and Iranian roommates at college in the US, both of whom he stayed in touch with.
"Oliver Stone returning makes me very proud. He came two years ago when we honoured him and he will now return with his film [W.]. It was his choice and we love that he wants to come to Dubai to help the future of film here as well as show the region what he is capable of. [We are] very proud."
Juma, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Colorado at Boulder as well as a certificate from Harvard Business School's General Manager Programme, is looking forward to things coming together.
"A team of 16 will grow into an army of 716 over the next few days, which is incredible. It is such a challenge to manage, but also a lot of fun. These people love film and believe in the magic of the big screen — that makes it easy."
Juma's wish for DIFF
A venue. Places like Cannes have built a venue around a festival and it works. But we would ideally love to build a festival around a custom-built venue. It would be great to have a purpose-built facility to house everything we keep dreaming up," he said.
"The Madinat is fabulous because of location and we are very happy there, but we would hope to one day outgrow the venue."
Special events taking place during DIFF
Reclaimed sand banks, flying acrobats, 200 mobile light units and a 9m-high handmade structure will help get the Dubai International Film Festival off to a spectacular start tonight.
A team of more than 300 people has been working around the clock to prepare for five theatrical events that will be staged throughout the festival, the first being a stunt show on the beach of the Mina A Salam after the opening gala screening of Oliver Stone's W.
Circo de Bakuza, from Montreal, Canada, have been designing and planning the events for more than seven months and arrived to start work in Dubai at the end of November.
Caterina Lo Mascolo, client and communications director, says the creativity of the shows will transform this year's festival into an experience that will influence, astound and generate lasting impressions for all in attendance.
With more than 10 years experience in events management and experiential marketing, the international team is truly global in its philosophy and reach, having conceived glamorous events around the world in venues from Russia, Canada and France to Italy and the USA.
Who: Canadian creative agency Circo de Bakuza, along with acrobats from around the world as well as local partner, AYA.
What: Events created and co-produced by them will include the opening ceremony stunt, opening gala reception, closing ceremony stunt, awards ceremony and the closing gala reception.
Where: The events will occur in unique architectural installations at several sites throughout Dubai, including the beach at the Mina A'Salam, the Madinat Jumeirah, the Arabian Resort, the Burj Al Arab Hotel and at the Bab al Shams Desert Resort and Spa.
Festival facts
• The lights are being installed by world-famous light director Martin Gagnon, who is currently in Bahrain building the biggest chandelier in the world.
• The reclaimed sand stretch at the Mina A Salam stretches 20m into the sea.
• The acrobats spend more than 90 minutes in make up before each show.
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