Stars shine at MEIFF closing ceremony

It could have been the humidity which made the wait for movie stars Joseph Fiennes and Eva Green seem longer. Alternatively, it could have been the fact they were in make-up for two hours.

In his defence, Fiennes was practising his Arabic backstage but agitated reporters, film crews and photographers struggled to comprehend what Green was up to.

No time to give interviews and with barely two questions answered on the red carpet at the glitzy closing ceremony of the Middle East International Film Festival, Green looked far from the knock-out expected from a former Bond girl.

Aptly wearing a floor-length, green Arabic-style dress, she pulled a dour pose for cameras and reporters.

Stunning

Fiennes, however, seemed to have all the time in the world as he made his way along the carpet with his stunning Swiss model girlfriend of three years, Maria Dolores Diéguez.

"MEIFF is a testament to the passion that the Middle East has for good, quality cinema. It's been just two years since they have begun, and it shows all promise of being one of the best," he said.

"It's lovely to be in Abu Dhabi. I think it's a great city, although I'm only here for one night, which is a shame. I really wish I could see more."

Fiennes looked smart in a clean-cut grey suit with peach tie, complementing the peachy-pink Indian-influenced outfit worn by Diéguez.

Fiennes addressed reporters with the strong British tones so recognisable from his many roles as famous English characters, including William Shakespeare opposite Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love.

"Film is the future - it's what it is all about," he smiled. Noticing photographers happily snapping Diéguez who was posing behind him, he added: "I just caught what was going on in my peripheral vision. And here was me thinking I was a star," he joked.

"Film translates all over the world and it's important for us to remember that. It's like having a window into other people's living rooms all across the globe. It's so powerful. It opens up universes for one another."

Most famous for her role opposite Daniel Craig in the Bond flick Casino Royale, Green was long gone from the lights of the red carpet, while Fiennes continued to joke with reporters and pose for the cameras.

"Great movies are out there to be made and it's all so exciting," he said. "I'm working on a new movie at the moment, but I'm also hoping to direct my first movie next year - fingers crossed.

Asked about any plans to work on a Middle Eastern movie venture, he said: "I would love to work in one. Let the scripts keep coming."

Fiennes has never been shy about admitting his first love is Shakespeare and the well-rounded actor of the stage and screen summed up the differences between theatre and Hollywood.

"Film is for the director and stage is for the actor," he said without a thought. "The stage is beautiful."

The acclaimed Indian filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli was one of the Indian celebs who appeared on the red carpet with the famous duo, along with Egyptian actress Arwa.

The 10-day Festival's closing night gala, which included the screening of Ridley Scott's Body of Lies, was followed by a lavish terrace reception at the Emirates Palace Hotel.