Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) has announced the final seven films in its Arabian Nights line-up. The festival, in its 13th edition, will take place between Dec 7-14 at Madinat Jumeirah.
In Bezness As Usual, Dutch filmmaker Alex Pistra navigates a relationship with his newly-discovered family in Tunisia, after his estranged father makes contact.
Zainab Hates the Snow, by Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, is a coming-of-age documentary told from the perspective of 9-year-old Zainab over the course of six years. It deals with death, migration and difficult new beginnings.
A Day For Women, by Egyptian director Kamla Abou Zekry, stars Elham Shaheen, Nelly and Mahmoud Hemida. After a new swimming pool is opened and Sunday is declared a women’s only day, the women celebrate, and the men find a way to protest.
Brooks, Meadows and Lovely Faces, starring Laila Eloui, Menna Shalabi and Bassem Samra, is another film from Egypt, by Yousry Nasrallah. In a small Egyptian village, sibling rivalry, romance and culinary ambitions are in the air in the preparation for a wedding feast.
Lebanese film director Philippe Aractingi, whose film Under the Bombs won the Gold Muhr Award in 2007, returns with the world premiere of his film Listen. Sound engineer Joud deals with the frustrations of being kept from his partner, Rana, after she falls into a coma.
Visiting Hours, by Algerian director Rachida Brakni, is a tense film about a prison in Paris that erupts into chaos.
Layla M., a film by Dutch director Mihke De Jong, follows the 18-year-old titular character, who is of Moroccan origin, but was born and raised in Amsterdam, into her journey of extremism.
“Offering fresh perspectives, this year’s group of talented filmmakers confront the pressing issues which today’s Arab world is facing, helping to unite cultures through compelling storytelling,” said Delphine Garde-Mroueh, programmer of Arabian Nights.
Diff film ticket packages — and registration for professionals — are now available: 10 tickets for Dh275, 25 for Dh550, and a red carpet package with seven gala tickets for Dh500 at diff.ae.
