Actress Jameela Jamil to star in new TV series

Actress Jameela Jamil to star in new TV series
Jameela Jamil will star in ‘Hysterical’ — a new feminist dramedy. (Getty Images)
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Updated 29 October 2024
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Actress Jameela Jamil to star in new TV series

Actress Jameela Jamil to star in new TV series

DUBAI: Actress, activist and presenter Jameela Jamil took to social media to show off an outfit by Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika in Morocco, days after it was announced she will star in “Hysterical” — a new feminist dramedy from Olivia Lee semi-inspired by controversial figure Andrew Tate.

The strapless, form-fitting gown, in a sleek white fabric, featured vertical cut-outs along both sides from the bust to the hem, with small circular accents framing the openings.

Jamil was in Morocco for the sixth Fashion Trust Arabia Awards, which took place in Marrakech. 

For the event, she wore a black, strapless gown with a slightly plunging sweetheart neckline. The structured, voluminous skirt featured a glossy finish with faint circular patterns, while the bodice was embellished with texture and shine.

Fashion Trust Arabia is a non-profit organization that provides financial support, guidance and mentorship to emerging designers from across the Middle East and North Africa region.

The awards attract industry heavyweights from around the world, with the 2024 ceremony attended by the likes of Emirati singer Balqees Fathi, British model Jourdan Dunn, Egyptian-Dutch model Imaan Hammam, Lebanese-British fashion entrepreneur Karen Wazen, and American-Lebanese supermodel Nour Arida.

Jamil’s new series, “Hysterical,” also stars Naomie Harris and Romesh Ranganathan. Harris plays Leonora, a therapist who spirals into a world of toxic masculinity after her daughter is assaulted.

She learns the boy responsible is a fan of Tommy T, an influencer known for spreading harmful advice among young men. During a weekly “rage release” session with friends, Leonora, fueled by anger and alcohol, convinces the group to act and bring him down.

The plot is inspired by events surrounding Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer with over 10 million followers who once stated that women should “bear responsibility” for sexual assault.

“UMMMM A comedy series about female rage? Sign me up!” Jamil, who is British Pakistani, wrote on Instagram, sharing the news with her 3.8 million followers.

“Hysterical” is being produced by Ranganathan’s company, Ranga Bee Productions. It has not yet been announced when it will be televised.


Emma Roberts to star in AlUla-shot thriller

Emma Roberts to star in AlUla-shot thriller
Updated 11 December 2024
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Emma Roberts to star in AlUla-shot thriller

Emma Roberts to star in AlUla-shot thriller
  • Shooting of the ‘Fourth Wall’ begins in the first quarter of 2025
  • Part of 10-movie deal between Stampede Ventures, Film AlUla

JEDDAH: Hollywood actress Emma Roberts is set to star in a film shot at AlUla Studios in Saudi Arabia, according to Film AlUla and global media company Stampede Ventures.

The movie, the “Fourth Wall,” will begin shooting in AlUla in the first quarter of 2025. It is part of a 10-movie deal between CEO Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures and Film AlUla that was announced last year.

Although the film title was revealed last year, this is the first time Roberts has been publicly attached to the project. 

The film follows a former child star from a popular TV sitcom who is kidnapped and wakes up in a complete recreation of the show’s set with the rest of the cast.

This is where she must work through her trauma and recreate iconic moments from the series to stay alive and find a way out.

Written by Jerry Kontogiorgis, the film will be produced by Silverman and Grant Torre of Stampede Ventures and directed by Alexis Ostrander (“Servant”).

US actress Roberts (“Space Cadet,” “Holidate”) will have the lead role.

Stampede Ventures is among the first to use Film AlUla’s production facility, which includes a soundstage, backlot, production support buildings, workshops, warehouses, recording studio, and training and rehearsal space, all over 2,787 sq. meters.

There will be an emphasis on using Saudi talent during the production process, with introductory workshops and on-site training across various departments. This includes production staff, camera crew, art department, set operations, lighting, locations, transportation, sound, wardrobe, and makeup.

In a statement, Silverman said: “After a very positive recent experience shooting ‘K-Pops’ on location in AlUla, Stampede Ventures is now thrilled to bring more films to our partnership with RCU.

“Our productions will celebrate the unique allure of AlUla as a setting for cinematic creativity and the inspiring energy and love for filmmaking of the men and women of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

The “K-Pops” production was directed by eight-time Grammy winner Anderson .Paak.


Marisa Tomei praises Saudi efforts to grow local film industry

Marisa Tomei praises Saudi efforts to grow local film industry
Updated 11 December 2024
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Marisa Tomei praises Saudi efforts to grow local film industry

Marisa Tomei praises Saudi efforts to grow local film industry

JEDDAH: Academy Award-winning US actress Marisa Tomei turned heads at the Red Sea International Film Festival red carpet on Tuesday night, following a talk she gave at the Red Sea Souk earlier in the day.

“It’s been fantastic,” Tomei said of her time so far in Jeddah in an interview with Arab News. “I’m looking forward to going into the Jeddah Old Town. I’m looking forward to being at the gala. I’m very curious about this film about this opera singer. It’s a comedy,” she said, referring to Saudi filmmaker Abdulaziz Almuzaini’s latest film “Lail Nahar,” which premiered at the festival.

Marisa Tomei on the red carpet in Jeddah. (Getty Images)

She went on about being in Saudi Arabia: “It’s just beautiful. It’s just a dream. It is one of the best parts of this career and being part of this business — to be able to travel, meet new people, see totally interesting, different approaches to life.”

Tomei also took a beat to praise the Kingdom’s efforts to support the growing film industry.

“And what’s going on here in terms of the labs that they’re doing and growing these film studios, and what they’re doing for women in film is really, really, really exciting and paying dividends back. And I mean, only in four years … It’s really, really impressive and exciting, and I’m excited to see what comes, just what continues to come out of here, and it’s just being done in such an elegant, thoughtful way. I’m blown away by that,” she said.

Tomei, who was last prominently seen in the “Spider-Man” trilogy as Aunt May to Tom Holland’s titular character, said she loved working with director Jon Watts on the popular Marvel project.

“I loved being with Jon Watts. I think he’s a great director. He always was saying to us, ‘Let’s do this like an independent film.’ So even though it was this giant film, he kept it really intimate, and he was always open to ideas,” she said.

“Jon always felt, or we felt together, that (Aunt May) really raised Peter Parker and so that her influence would have really been the most massive in his life, and I think that’s also why she gave the classic Uncle Ben line in that pivotal moment. Jon just really had his hands around that. And it was really fun. And it was also fun to do some of the little bit of action scenes that I got to do. And, you know, have my hair really long,” she added.


Benedict Cumberbatch shares his love of theater with RSIFF audience

Benedict Cumberbatch shares his love of theater with RSIFF audience
Updated 11 December 2024
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Benedict Cumberbatch shares his love of theater with RSIFF audience

Benedict Cumberbatch shares his love of theater with RSIFF audience

JEDDAH

British actor Benedict Cumberbatch was in the spotlight at Jeddah’s Red Sea International Film Festival on Tuesday afternoon, delighting a packed audience with an “In Conversation” session.

Fans crowded the auditorium at Culture Square in Al-Balad as the two-time Academy Award nominee recalled growing up with actor parents and discussed his career.

“My parents are both actors, wherever they go or what they do, I was there with them and I learned from them. My father gave me the push to follow my passion,” he said of Timothy Carlton and Wanda Ventham.

He later went into depth about his own career, telling anecdotes from the sets of some of his biggest successes including Marvel’s “Doctor Strange,” the lauded TV series “Sherlock,” “Star Trek into Darkness,” “The Power of the Dog” and “The Imitation Game.”

“It has been a great journey for me and I have enjoyed every minute of it,” he said. “I’m permanently looking for challenges and experiences outside of my own to engage my imagination and craft.”

Cumberbatch has twice been nominated for Academy Awards, the first for 2014’s “The Imitation Game” and the second for “The Power of the Dog” in 2021.

“It’s nice to be nominated, but for me, it’s just about the quality of the work, the value for me is that it brings me into close contact with my collaborators and with the people whose shoulders I’m standing on or have stood on,” he said of the industry recognition.

Cumberbatch has worked in theatre, television, film and radio. Asked if he missed treading the boards, he said: “Oh yes, that’s the real thing. It is where I started my career and theater was my turning point.”

The actor’s other forays into the world of theatre include starring in the UK’s Royal National Theatre’s “After the Dance” (2010) and “Frankenstein” (2011). In 2015, he played William Shakespeare’s Hamlet at the Barbican Theatre in London.

Cumberbatch also talked about his work as a producer, particularly as an executive producer on “We Live in Time” with Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. He connected with its universal themes and humor, he said, adding that “financing and budget structure are very, very difficult to do in this climate.”

He also had words of praise for his “Sherlock” co-star Martin Freeman, who plays the pragmatic Dr. John Watson. The Emmy and BAFTA-winning Freeman is “a funny actor and also a technical artist,” he said. 

Cumberbatch left the stage to prolonged applause and cheers, with some audience members screaming: “We love you!”


‘India Night’ celebrates Saudi Indian cinematic ties

‘India Night’ celebrates Saudi Indian cinematic ties
Updated 11 December 2024
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‘India Night’ celebrates Saudi Indian cinematic ties

‘India Night’ celebrates Saudi Indian cinematic ties

JEDDAH: Veteran Indian filmmaker Shekhar Kapoor lauded the rise of Saudi cinema and said Bollywood and the Kingdom’s nascent film industry could benefit from close collaboration at an event in Jeddah hosted by the Consulate General of India as part of its association with the Red Sea International Film Festival.

The “What’s Love Got To Do With It” director, who also directed Hollywood icon Cate Blanchett in her 1998 breakout role in “Elizabeth,” attended the “India Night” event in Saudi Arabia that honored Indian-Saudi partnership in the world of cinema.

Kapoor, director of the International Film Festival of India, is heading a delegation from the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the National Film Development Corporation at the film festival in Jeddah.

The consulate, in partnership with the Indian ministry and national corporation, has set up an “India Pavilion” at the Red Sea Souk area as part of the film festival, which runs until Dec. 14.

At the reception held this week, Consul General of India Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri stated that the potential of collaboration between the two countries is “vast and full of promise.”

“The cultural bond between India and Saudi Arabia has flourished over the years, and cinema, as one of the most powerful mediums of storytelling, has played a significant role in deepening this connection,” an official statement added.

Kapoor also highlighted the upcoming World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit to be held in New Delhi in early February and invited industry members from Saudi Arabia and beyond to participate.

A curated cultural performance at the reception showcased India’s rich and diverse heritage, with Indian classical and cinematic dances by artists from the Indian community in Jeddah, as well as performances by artists from India who presented popular compositions from Indian cinema.

Members of the diplomatic community, filmmakers, artists, directions and guests from the Red Sea International Film Festival were in attendance.


Spike Lee sheds light on filmmaking career at Red Sea festival

Spike Lee sheds light on filmmaking career at Red Sea festival
Updated 11 December 2024
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Spike Lee sheds light on filmmaking career at Red Sea festival

Spike Lee sheds light on filmmaking career at Red Sea festival
  • New movie starring Denzel Washington expected in 2025
  • Emphasizes being a ‘devotee’ of cinema to be successful

JEDDAH: On the sixth day of the Red Sea International Film Festival, cinema legend Spike Lee shared insights on storytelling, collaboration, and his enduring love for filmmaking.

Known for his groundbreaking works including “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcolm X,” and “BlacKkKlansman,” the five-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker delved into his journey, inspiring aspiring creatives and cinephiles alike.

Lee reflected on his early challenges, emphasizing the importance of opportunity in the crowded industry. “From the very beginning, I wanted to give an opportunity for new talents,” he said.

“This is a very, very tough business. A lot of times, you can be very talented, but if you don’t get a break, you’re really stuck.”

Lee also spoke passionately about the collaborative nature of filmmaking.

“Filmmaking is not a solo act. It’s the collective coming together for one goal — to make films,” he said. “Some people want to be the hero and do it by themselves, but it doesn’t work like that.”

Teaching and creating films, Lee explained, requires dedication.

“Filmmaking is no joke. You have to be a devotee of cinema, like your life depends on it. You can’t cheat. If you’re not serious, you’re making it harder for yourself.”

Lee’s upcoming film is a reimagining of the Akira Kurosawa classic film “High and Low.” The film stars Denzel Washington and will be released in 2025 by A24 and Apple.

Whether directing narrative films or documentaries, Lee highlighted the universal importance of storytelling. “I don’t have to put on another hat. It’s telling the story — a different way to tell a story, but still telling a story,” he explained.

Music is an integral part of his creative process. “Music plays a very important part in my films. The composer’s sound, those sounds, is this element that is very important to how we use music,” he said.

The director has a long history of working with musicians and in addition to his films, TV series, and commercials, he has directed a number of music videos and shorts.

He has worked with artists including Michael Jackson, Prince, Public Enemy, Branford Marsalis, Bruce Hornsby, Miles Davis and Anita Baker.

Drawing from his 30 years in the film industry, Lee critiqued ineffective leadership on set. “Sometimes you see long days because the director doesn’t know what they’re doing. That’s when the crew turns against the director.”

The festival’s stellar lineup of speakers includes Brendan Fraser, Michael Mann, Jeremy Renner, and Benedict Cumberbatch.