DUBAI: Algerian filmmaker Merzak Allouche’s family dramedy “Front Row,” supported by the Red Sea Fund, screened this week at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival.
Allouche’s 19th feature tells the story of two matriarchs, Zohra Bouderbala and Safia Kadouri, who find themselves in conflict during a day at the beach. Zohra, accompanied by her five children, arrives early to secure a desirable spot, but tension arises when the Kadouri family is placed directly in front of them by a beach attendant.
REVIEW: ‘The Wild Robot’ — big on spectacle, big on emotion
Updated 22 sec ago
Shyama Krishna Kumar
DUBAI: With “The Wild Robot,” Chris Sanders has created a masterpiece of modern cinema. Visually stunning — imagine the most vivid painting come to life in all its glorious color and detail — with a fresh take on a familiar story, soaring background score and impeccable voicework from industry heavyweights. This is not just the best animated feature in recent cinema history, but one of the best movies, period.
“The Wild Robot,” based on the children’s book of the same name by Peter Brown, tells the story of a helper robot — ROZZUM unit 7134 (or Roz), voiced by Lupita Nyong’o — who washes up on the beach of an uninhabited (by humans, anyway) island after the cargo ship transporting her is caught in a typhoon.
“The Wild Robot” tells the story of a helper robot — ROZZUM unit 7134 (or Roz), voiced by Lupita Nyong’o — who washes up on the beach of an uninhabited (by humans, anyway) island after the cargo ship transporting her is caught in a typhoon. (Supplied)
The opening sequence follows Roz as she desperately looks for a master, chasing down the wild animals on the island, looking to be of service. Sanders creates magic as we’re introduced to the island’s inhabitants at breakneck speed. with visuals that mimic the hand-painted feel of the famed Studio Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki’s work.
While most of the island’s critters shy away from Roz’s exuberance, she finds purpose when she encounters an orphaned baby gosling, whom she eventually names Brightbill (Kit Connor). She decides to partner with local outcast, the wily fox Fink (voiced by a deliciously mischievous Pedro Pascal), to raise it.
“The Wild Robot.” (Supplied)
What follows is a heartwarming story about what robots and parents are and are not programmed to do. From teaching Brightbill — the runt of his pack, not built to survive — to swim and fly so he can make it to the next great migration, to eliminating external threats, to surviving the harsh winter, Roz helps in every way she knows how, until she unlocks a reserve of potential she didn’t even know she had. It’s a feeling any parent will instantly recognize.
Nyong’o puts her Oscar-winning talent to extraordinary use; her android voice at first devoid of feeling and infused with the people-pleasing measured cadence of a service professional, then slowly transforming into something entirely different.
Get ready to sit with some big emotions surrounding parenting, community and friendship, then. “The Wild Robot” was engineered to make you cry, and cry you will. Best you can do is let it take you on its soulful journey.
South Korea: easy on the eye, not so easy on the wallet
It’s deservedly popular with tourists from the Gulf, but make sure to watch your budget
Updated 7 min 20 sec ago
Peter Harrison
DUBAI: First off, a trip to South Korea is expensive. There’s no two ways about it. A return trip from Dubai costs in excess of $2,300 unless you opt to spending two days travelling in each direction. I chose the former.
There’s a perception that if you love Japan, you’ll also love South Korea. In fact, I found that South Korea was nothing like Japan. But why should it be? The Japanese dynasty ended a long time ago. Korea feels more humble, less in-your-face.
Seoul — the capital city — is large, clean, and very Western. The Metro system is busy and frequent, but unlike the public transport networks in the West, it feels safe. People are conscious of each other’s personal space and with a population of just over 10 million they need to be. But there’s no obvious fear of crime, everyone seems to have their heads buried in their phones. (For tourists, that might be because they’re checking their Korean translation app, an absolute necessity.)
Starfield library. (Shutterstock)
To get the real vibe of this sprawling city — which is not dissimilar to Manhattan in New York — it’s worth walking the skyscraper-lined streets.
There are coffee shops pretty much everywhere you look. And in the malls, food courts are filled with baked goods, noodles and all varieties of meat. And while the fare is OK, none of it feels especially Asian, and judging by comments made by chefs this writer knows, Korea is not a place for foodies.
There’s a wide assortment of tours on offer — including a full day at the Demilitarized Zone on the North Korean border, which costs around $100 but is worth the effort and investment just to see across to the North with the guard posts in the distance and the 100-meter-high mast carrying the North Korean flag. You can also walk along a very claustrophobic tunnel dug by the North Koreans into the south.
Jeju Island. (Shutterstock)
Back in Seoul, the Starfield Library boasts a vast collection of 50,000 books in shelves that scale two floors – a must for those seeking an Instagrammable moment. There’s also a kitsch tribute to the novelty pop hit “Gangnam Style” — if indeed that is your style.
Seoul’s Anguk area is worth spending some time in; the art galleries and cafés have a youthful buzz and the Artist Bakery offered some beautifully mellow coffee and a huge selection of moreish salted butter bread treats.
There’s much to see in South Korea outside of Seoul, of course. And a three-hour trip on the bullet train takes you to the small(ish) city of Busan in the south east of the peninsular, where things feel much less Westernized. It’s a city crammed with markets and malls, selling anything and everything.
Find a hotel overlooking the water — there’s a lot of it and the fish market offers the chance to eat pretty much anything that is found in there. Be warned though, this place might look like a budget meal awaits you, but you can easily spend in excess of $40 for some octopus and something called “spoon worm” sashimi — the latter resembling a very particular internal organ.
Gamcheon Cultural Village. (Shutterstock)
Gamcheon Cultural Village — an assembly of narrow lanes and small pastel-colored houses on the side of a hill — provides stunning views down the valley towards the sea; another place for Insta-moments. And the Songdo cable car is worth a ride for the equally spectacular photo-ops.
Busan also provides plenty of opportunity to sample authentic and delicious Korean street food, just don’t be put off by the aesthetics of some of the outlets.
My final stop was Jeju Island — an hour away by plane — where I spent a few days ambling about, taking in the beautiful coastline with its jagged volcanic rocks. From the many bus tours on offer, the east and south were the highlights. The Yeha Bus Tour is particularly good, with stops including Stone Park, an ancient village, and the 600-step climb up Seongsan Sunrise Peak for some stunning panoramic views of the volcanic crater and surrounding area (followed by the slow hobble back down).
South Korea is certainly a destination worth visiting, but with a necessary proviso: Make sure you have plenty of disposable income so you can create memories that don’t break the bank.
Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup, Manga Arabia to publish ‘Road To 2034’ special manga
Special edition manga is part of SAFF’s efforts to build on the excitement as the Kingdom prepares to host the first 48-team FIFA World Cup held in a single nation
Partnership highlights Saudi Arabia’s ambition to celebrate its culture and legacy as part of its FIFA World Cup bid
Updated 10 October 2024
Arab News Japan
DUBAI: The Saudi Arabia 2034 FIFA World Cup has entered a partnership with Saudi Research and Media Group’s Manga Arabia to release a special edition manga titled “Road to 2034” which aims to capture the imagination of young football fans and manga enthusiasts around the world.
The manga is a part of the Saudi Football Federation’s efforts to build on the excitement as the Kingdom prepares to host the first 48-team FIFA World Cup held in a single nation. Available in Japanese, English, and Arabic, it will be released both in print and digitally.
The partnership highlights Saudi Arabia’s ambition to celebrate its culture and legacy as part of its FIFA World Cup bid, offering an opportunity to connect with youth across the world.
The collaboration also emphasizes the desire to inspire the next generation of young footballers to pursue their dreams through the powerful medium of storytelling.
The announcement falls on the same day as the World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Saudi Arabia and Japan, which is taking place at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
“Our bid unites our nation through a passion for the beautiful game and is powered by the dreams and ambitions of over 32 million people,” Hammad Albalawi, head of the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup, said. “Through this manga, we are showing how our dream towards hosting the FIFA World Cup in ten years’ time is about inspiring future generations.
“We want to ensure we leave behind a lasting legacy. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to engaging our young population — 63 percent of which are under 30 — in ways that resonate with their interests while also showcasing and utilizing Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage on the global stage,” he added.
Rashid Al-Rashed, CEO of SRMG, also emphasized the importance of the partnership, saying it resonates with future generations, empowers local talents and promotes storytelling.
Manga Arabia’s General Manager and Editor-in-Chief Essam Bukhary shared that the partnership highlights the Kingdom’s position in sports globally with the help of young Saudi talents, adding that the manga industry plays a huge role in society as it inspires future generations.
Culture articulates beliefs, values that define a group of people, says Norway’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia
Norwegian film shown as part of Nordic Culture Week
Ambassador Kjersti Tromsdal addresses attendees
Updated 10 October 2024
Rashid Hassan
RIYADH: Culture articulates beliefs, practices, values, and artistic expressions that define a group of people, said Norway’s new Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Kjersti Tromsdal, adding it shaped our daily lives, influenced interactions, and connected across generations.
Tromsdal was speaking at a Norwegian evening organized as part of Nordic Culture Week that included a special screening of the award-winning film “Songs of Earth” on Wednesday.
Tromsdal added that the Nordic countries shared a rich culture characterized by common values such as equality, community, and a deep respect for nature.
From food and folklore to design and language, these elements helped to create a sense of belonging, she added.
Nordic Culture Week 2024 in Riyadh celebrated the shared culture of the Nordic countries, and presented expressions of the countries’ culture to the people of Saudi Arabia, including films from Norway, Sweden and Finland.
Tromsdal said that in Norway the connection to nature was particularly profound, adding: “Our landscapes, from majestic fjords to rich forests, are not just beautiful: They are integral to our identity.
“The concept of ‘open-air living’ reflects our belief that nature is essential for our well-being. It encourages us to embrace the outdoors, whether through hiking, skiing, or simply enjoying spending time outside in crisp air.”
Tromsdal added that this bond with nature was expressed in folk tales, music, and art, reminding all people of their responsibility to protect the environment.
She added: “This brings me to the special screening of the award-winning film ‘Songs of Earth’ by Margreth Olin, who is a prominent Norwegian filmmaker. She has gained recognition for her ability to explore complex social issues through a cinematic lens.
“The documentary ‘Songs of Earth’ illustrates the intricate relationship between humans and nature, capturing the essence of how our surroundings influence our lives and cultures.
“The film brings us through one of Norway’s most scenic valleys, where generations have been living alongside nature to survive. This is where the filmmaker’s father, now 85 years old, grew up. He will be our guide and take us through the four seasons in Olderdalen.”
Ancient Roman artifacts make regional debut in AlUla
Updated 10 October 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: The National Archaeological Museum of Naples is preparing to display a collection of artifacts from ancient Italian sites as part of the Ancient Kingdoms Festival in AlUla, marking their first appearance in the region.
Running from Nov. 7 to Dec. 14, the exhibition, titled “Masterpieces of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples,” will feature artifacts from the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which were buried under volcanic ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 C.E.
Statue of Trajan Minturno, late 1st century CE Marble.(Photo credit: Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli)
It will also present pieces from the famed Farnese Collection, one of the most prestigious collections from Greco-Roman antiquity.
The exhibition will be held at the famed Maraya, the largest mirrored building in the world.
Statuette of Alexander on horseback Herculaneum, 1st century BCE Bronze. (Photo credit: Giorgio Albano, Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli)
Rami Almoallim, the vice president of destination management and marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said in a statement: “The display of these ancient artifacts is particularly poignant, because just as the people of ancient Rome sought beauty and craftsmanship, so too did the ancient civilizations of AlUla, and my hope is that visitors can experience both here.
“This exhibition is ultimately a tribute to both our legacies and reinforces AlUla’s vital role as a centre for heritage preservation, knowledge exchange, and discovery,” he added.
