UAE | Leisure
Film festival comes to a close with gala ceremony
Directors, producers, actors and VIPs endured a nail-biting final walk along the red carpet before the winners were announced at the closing gala of the first Middle East International Film Festival.
- By Kelly Crane, Staff Reporter
- Published: 01:03 October 20, 2007
- Paul Haggis (right), Frances Fisher (centre) and Jake McLaughlin pose for photographers before the screening of In the Valley of Elah.
- Image Credit: Karl Jeffs/Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: Directors, producers, actors and VIPs endured a nail-biting final walk along the red carpet before the winners were announced at the closing gala of the first Middle East International Film Festival.
More than 1,500 people dressed to impress attended the event, which included the screening of renowned director Paul Haggis's In the Valley of Elah, starring Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron.
Haggis was one of the first to appear on the red carpet at the Emirates Palace Hotel, along with film actor and actress combo Jake McLaughlin and Frances Fisher.
A strictly black-tie event, couples, families and friends joined stars from all over the world to watch the regional premiere of the film in the grand auditorium at the impressive hotel.
Lebanese director Nadine Labaki, who caused quite a stir on Thursday after her film Caramel sold out at the event, made an appearance along with festival director Jon Fitzgerald and executive director Nashwa Al Ruwaini. Haggis has been producing and directing for more than 20 years but is probably most famous for being the first director to win two successive Oscars for Best Film with Million Dollar Baby in 2004 and Crash in 2005.
In the Valley of Elah is a thought-provoking drama, depicting the desperate search for meaning in the chaos of the Iraq war.
True events
Inspired by true events, it is based on the case of Specialist Richard R Davis, who returned from the war-torn nation four years ago and, three months later, was found dead with 33 stab wounds, his body soaked with lighter fluid and burned.
The screening was followed by a lavish terrace reception for all guests including drinks, canapes, entertainment and fireworks.
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