The final curtain

With a director described as a genius, seven Golden Globe nominations and cast to die for, it's no wonder people were fighting for tickets for this year's DIFF closing gala screening of Babel.

And although Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, leading man and lady, were unable to attend, it didn't stop the cameras on the red carpet.

Chairman of the festival Abdulhamid Juma arrived on the famous strip along with rapper Mos Def who sported the casual look in a denim jacket and black cap.

Juma and Def took their time along the route and stopped regularly to speak to film crews, fans and journalists.

Incredible atmosphere

Juma said: "This is what it's all about. This atmosphere is wonderful and has been created by an extremely hard-working DIFF team.

"My dream was to see people queuing, desperate for tickets to films at this festival and my dream has come true.

"My next is to see a UAE feature film win the Muhr Award in the years to follow. I don't think it will be that long before it happens."

Babel has been nominated for seven Golden Globe awards, placing all the nominees in the running for the Academy Awards in March.

The Operation Cultural Bridge Gala, Babel, got off to a flying start as people poured through the doors in an attempt to get their hands on any of the few standby tickets still available.

The laser lights beamed into the night sky as director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu prepared to walk the golden mile to the Madinat Arena Theatre.

The film is the concluding statement of his trilogy that began with Amores Perros and 21 Grams.

Communication

Babel has four interweaving stories set in Morocco, Tunisia, Mexico and Japan. A single incident impacts the lives of four separate groups of strangers across these four countries. None of these strangers will ever meet, and in spite of the sudden, unlikely connection between them, all will remain isolated due to their own inability to communicate meaningfully with the others.

Alejandro, accompanied by a large entourage of friends and family, waved to the crowd as he appeared from his limousine.

He said: "I am very happy to be here and cannot wait for some feedback from this part of the world about my film.

"I have worked with some of the best actors and actresses and I won't deny the fact that I am very aware that lots of the ladies here tonight wish Mr Pitt could have come in my place!"
More than 200 people took their chances and waited in the standby queue, however many were turned away as the theatre filled to capacity.

Johnathan Langley was left disappointed. He said: "I am gutted. I really wanted to see the film but I guess I'll just have to wait a bit longer. It was still wonderful to come and feel the electric atmosphere the film and the festival have created. It really was a star-studded night and I've enjoyed feeling like I'm lost somewhere in Hollywood."

Nominations

Babel has been nominated in seven categories in the Golden Globe awards. The awards will be held on January 15.

The categories are Best Motion Picture, Best Director for Alejandro González Iñárritu, Best Screenplay for writer Guillermo Arriaga, Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for Brad Pitt, Best Original Score for composer Gustavo Santaolalla, and two nods for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, for Adriana Barraza and Rinko Kikuchi.