Dubai: Ahead of Friday’s premiere in the UAE of the new James Bond film Skyfall, Dubai’s diplomatic set celebrated the 50th anniversary of the iconic British 007 secret agent at an invitation-only golden birthday party at the British Embassy in Dubai.
Seated on bean bags on the manicured lawns inside the embassy compound, guests were treated to a special private screening of the first Bond film, Dr. No, to honour the international literary icon’s original cinematic appearance as envisioned in the page-turning narratives of author Ian Fleming.
The Bond party was topped with a gleaming white Aston Martin V8 Vantage S sportscar at centre stage where Consul General Edward Hobart welcomed his guests to a gala evening celebrating all things British.
The world, he said, loves Fleming’s reluctant hero as he trots around the globe, disarming evil doers and saving the world.
“It’s great to celebrate James Bond’s birthday,” Hobart told his guests just moments before the picture began, adding, “what better way to celebrate 50 years since the first Bond film than in the company of diplomatic friends here in Dubai.
“Our favourite agent has thrilled the world for half-a-century and I am certain Skyfall, Mr. Bond’s 23rd outing will do the same with the classic mix of British class and ingenuity.”
In an exclusive interview with Gulf News at the gala, Hobart said Bond is certainly one of the most memorable “international genres where a Brit is a hero. Bond is a bit of international Britain and he is absolutely British.”
He said the timing of the latest Bond escapades and intrigue couldn’t come at a better time following a year in which Britain is rediscovering national pride amid a series of feel-good events on both the national and international level.
From the revelry witnessed earlier this year for the Queen’s Jubilee and Chelsea’s Champion League win to hosting the Olympics in London 2012, the release of Skyfall represents yet another reason for some 100,000 British expats living in the UAE to celebrate their heritage.
“Bond is one of the great post-war brands that we have,” Hobart said. “We hope a lot of Emiratis share the experience with us when Skyfall hits the cinemas on the first day of Eid.”
