Abu Dhabi Action!

The capital's inaugural film festival will feature some of this year's biggest movies. The first edition of the Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF), to be held in Abu Dhabi next month, will begin with the screening of Atonement, starring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy.

Another highlight of the opening night will be dance numbers choreographed by dance veteran Otis Sallid.

Comprising some of the most promising talents in film today, the festival's special presentations consist of five of this year's most talked-about films from around the world including, I'm Not There, Redacted, Roman de Gare and Rendition, in addition to Atonement.

Mohammad Khalaf Al Mazrouie, Director General of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage said, "We are honoured to present these outstanding films by such talented directors, and look forward to celebrating the art of filmmaking here in Abu Dhabi."

MEIFF is a cultural event that is dedicated to bringing a range of international films to the capital. It also aims to introduce filmmakers from around the world to the resources of the region. The festival runs from October 14-19.

I'm Not There
Directed by Todd Haynes, starring Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett (above), Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Julianne Moore and Michelle Williams.
Biopic of Bob Dylan, where seven characters embody a different aspect of the musician's life and work.
Premiered at the 2007 Venice Film Festival where it won the Special Jury Prize, and screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Atonement
Directed by Joe Wright, starring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy. Fledgling writer Briony Tallis, as a 13-year-old, irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's (Keira Knightley) lover (James McAvoy) of a crime he did not commit. Already garnering award buzz, the film is based on the acclaimed British novel by Ian McEwan. Premiered at the 2007 Venice Film Festival and screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Roman de Gare
Directed by Academy Award-winner Claude Lelouch, starring Dominique Pinon, Fanny Ardant and Audrey Dana.
Judith Ralitzer, femme fatale and popular writer, is seeking characters for her next best-seller. A serial killer has just escaped from the Santé prison in Paris's 13th arrondissement. Huguette, a hairdresser in a top Parisian beauty salon, is going to change their destiny. Some encounters are more fatal than others...
Premiered at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.

Rendition
Directed by Gavin Hood, starring Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Meryl Streep, Alan Arkin and Peter Sarsgaard.
When Egyptian-born terrorist suspect Anwar El Ibrahim (Omar Metwalley) disappears on a flight from South Africa to Washington DC, his American wife, Isabella (Reese Witherspoon) travels to Washington DC to try and learn the reason for his disappearance. Meanwhile, at a secret detention facility, CIA analyst Douglas Freeman (Jake Gyllenhaal) is forced to question his assignment as he becomes a party to the unorthodox interrogation of El Ibrahim. Gavin Hood directed the Academy Award-winning Tsotsi.
Rendition premiered at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival.

Redacted
Directed by Brian De Palma, starring Francois Caillaud, Patrick Carroll, Rob Devaney, Izzy Diaz, Mike Figueroa, Ty Jones, Ohad Knoller and Paul O'Brien. A montage of stories about US soldiers fighting in the Iraq conflict, with a focus on the modern forms of media covering the war. Premiered at the 2007 Venice Film Festival, where De Palma won the Silver Lion for Best Director. The film also played at the Toronto International Film Festival and will screen at the New York Film Festival.

Don't miss it:
The Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi starts on October 14.