Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry hit the stage at landmark Elie Saab show in Riyadh

Update Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry hit the stage at landmark Elie Saab show in Riyadh
Pop icon Jennifer Lopez performed at the event. (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)
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Updated 29 November 2024
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Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry hit the stage at landmark Elie Saab show in Riyadh

Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry hit the stage at landmark Elie Saab show in Riyadh

RIYADH: The only thing sparkling brighter than the stars on the red carpet and performers on stage were the dresses on the runway as Lebanese icon Elie Saab put on a spectacle on Wednesday night in Riyadh with Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion and Halle Berry hitting the stage in addition to a runway show of his creations.

In celebration of 45 years of Elie Saab, the show displayed 300 designs under the theme “1001 Seasons of Elie Saab,” an homage to the 1001 nights collection of Middle Eastern folktales.




Celine Dion was spotted on the red carpet at the event. (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

Former French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld styled all the looks for the runway.

 

 

Guests were given a surprise when stars Lopez, Camila Cabello, Nancy Ajram, Amr Diab, and the legendary Celine Dion took to the stage in celebration of Elie Saab.




Oscar-winner Halle Berry hit the stage. (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

Opening the show was none other than Hollywood actress Berry wearing the same Elie Saab gown she wore when she won her first Oscar in 2002, making her the first Black woman to win the award for Best Actress.

Prior to the show, Berry was seen on the red carpet talking about how this was her first time meeting Saab in person, “That was the highlight of this trip for me to finally meet this man who I have been inextricably connected to for 22 years, and to give him a hug and tell him thank you.”




Pop icon Jennifer Lopez performed at the event. (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

Celebrity stylist Law Roach, known for styling Hollywood A-listers like Zendaya, Anya Taylor Joy, Bella Hadid, and Celine Dion, talked to Arab News about Elie Saab’s ability to transcend eras.

“Elie Saab is one of the few couturiers whose clothes can be passed down to generations and generations and be reinterpreted.”




Models gather on stage at the Elie Saab show in Riyadh. (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

“Maybe someone got married in it (a dress), and maybe generations down the granddaughter of someone gets married in the same dress, it has that possibility of just being timeless and forever,” he said.




Saudi French model Amira Al-Zuhair was spotted on the runway. (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

The spectacle began with a performance by Lopez, a frequent wearer of Saab’s creations. The first designs exhibited an array of black-and-white dresses adorned in classic crystals, a signature touch in most of his designs.

Next up was “an ode to the female figure”, where dresses in different shades of pink and green were lit up on stage with the help of singer-songwriter Camila Cabello. This section of the show featured what looked like a garden theme, detailing the beauty of the natural world as it interconnects with the beauty of women.

The tale continued into a silver and blue chapter, where the audience was given a touch of Arab culture with Lebanese singing icon Nancy Ajram, a nod to Elie Saab’s Lebanese heritage as well, followed by Egyptian star Amr Diab.




The show featured 300 looks. (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

“Elie Saab, the name introduces itself. When we say Elie Saab we say elegance… when I wear Elie Saab I look at myself in the mirror more often and find myself more beautiful,” Ajram stated before her performance.

“I am also happy that a Lebanese creative deserves to be honored, is very successful, and we all see ourselves in him.”




In celebration of 45 years of Elie Saab, the show displayed 300 designs under the theme “1001 Seasons of Elie Saab.” (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

The show concluded with a showcase by Dion, who gave an emotional and empowering performance that had the entire audience on their feet.




The show featured 300 looks. (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

“Being here (in Riyadh) for the first time is kind of a dream come true,” Dion said.

“His (Elie Saab’s) generosity, his talent, he has been singing with me because I have been wearing his dresses, his talent, for many, many, years.”




In celebration of 45 years of Elie Saab, the show displayed 300 designs under the theme “1001 Seasons of Elie Saab.” (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

"We carefully infused elements drawn from the region's natural beauty, like desert-inspired colors and distinct accessories, to pay homage to the cultural heritage, all while preserving the brand’s signature elegance and sophistication, Saab told Arab News in a written interview after the show.

The evening was attended by more than 1,000 guests, including Egyptian actress Youssra; Italian star Monica Bellucci; British models Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Poppy Delevingne  and Jourdan Dunn, supermodels Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel and Helena Christensen, and Arab actresses Nadine Njeim, Cyrine Abdel Nour, and Tara Emad.




Lebanese superstar Nancy Ajram on stage. (Supplied)

The designer even had some words of wisdom for up-and-coming Saudi talents, which he shared with Arab News after the show in a written interview.

“The young designers in Saudi Arabia are talented, well-educated, and deeply aware of global trends. The country has invested in culture and education for decades, creating a strong foundation for the creative industry,” Saab said, adding:  “My advice to emerging designers is to stay true to their identity while embracing the opportunities that come with Saudi Arabia's expanding fashion scene. It’s important to remain patient, focus on craftsmanship, and leverage the increasing global spotlight.

Mustafa Sammak, COO of Ohana Development, which collaborated with Elie Saab on the Waterfront Tower in Abu Dhabi, told Arab News at the event that the showcase “powerfully reflects Middle Eastern artistry and heritage, drawing global attention to the region’s luxury landscape and creative depth. It reminds us that design — whether in fashion or real estate — has the ability to tell stories and bridge cultures.”

 

*This article was updated on Nov. 29, 2024, with comments from Elie Saab.


Review: RSIFF competition title ‘To Kill A Mongolian Horse’ is a moving, gripping tale

Review: RSIFF competition title ‘To Kill A Mongolian Horse’ is a moving, gripping tale
Updated 10 December 2024
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Review: RSIFF competition title ‘To Kill A Mongolian Horse’ is a moving, gripping tale

Review: RSIFF competition title ‘To Kill A Mongolian Horse’ is a moving, gripping tale

JEDDAH: Progress and modernism sometimes spell the end of an era and the traditional way of life. This is essayed brilliantly in director Xiaoxuan Jiang’s“To Kill A Mongolian Horse,” which had its MENA region premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah and is up for consideration for an award at the closing ceremony on Thursday.

Running in the “Red Sea: Competition” section against titles from across the world, the Mandarin and Mongolian language work unfolds against the barren landscape of Mongolia.

The moving 98-minute film tells the story of real-life Saina, a herdsman whose deep bond with his horse is captivating. Scouting for locations for her short movie, “Graveyard of Horses,” the director met Saina in Mongolia and he inspired her to create a fictionalised version of his life.

Apart from tending cattle, Saina also appears in a show about Mongolia's past. A daredevil life-threatening display of horsemanship and athletics endear him to the crowds, and he says in a poignant scene they are necessary for financially supporting his gambling father, son and ex-wife. 

Pressing concerns like climate change and drought compensate for average performances. But the storytelling is gripping and underlines the aching heart of Saina, who sees tradition and culture slipping away and a new world emerging. He is nervous but his horse offers solace and the kind of permanence that he craves.

The scenes between the two are movingly etched out through impressive framing captured by Tao Kio Qiu’s lens. Although the landscape is desolate, the bright colours and unique hues of the costumes worn by the actors are a joy to watch against the drab palette of their surroundings.  

There is a good chance this title will catch the eye of jury head Spike Lee as the final deliberations are made.


Andrew Garfield, Benedict Cumberbatch take to the RSIFF red carpet ahead of emotional ‘We Live in Time’ screening

Andrew Garfield, Benedict Cumberbatch take to the RSIFF red carpet ahead of emotional ‘We Live in Time’ screening
Updated 10 December 2024
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Andrew Garfield, Benedict Cumberbatch take to the RSIFF red carpet ahead of emotional ‘We Live in Time’ screening

Andrew Garfield, Benedict Cumberbatch take to the RSIFF red carpet ahead of emotional ‘We Live in Time’ screening

JEDDAH: English American actor Andrew Garfield graced the Red Sea International Film Festival red carpet in Jeddah on Monday night as his latest film, “We Live in Time,” held its MENA premiere as part of a gala screening.

Although not joined by his co-star Pugh, Garfield attended the screening alongside producers of the film, Adam Ackland and Benedict Cumberbatch.

 

 

At the screening, the producers and star Garfield briefly addressed the audience to introduce the romantic drama.

On Pugh and Garfield’s performances in the film, British star Cumberbatch said, “They’re already at the top of the game. They are our generation’s best,” before adding, “I’m jealous I’m not in the film.”

Andrew Garfield addressed the audience at the screening in Arabic. (Getty Images)

Garfield opened by greeting the audience in Arabic, saying “Assalamu alaikum (peace be upon you).”

He then thanked the festival for bringing the film to Saudi Arabia. “So grateful to be welcomed here like it is my second home,” added Garfield, who also attended the festival last year.

“We Live in Time” is a London-set romantic drama that follows an up-and-coming chef (Pugh) and a recent divorcée (Garfield) across a decade as they find their lives forever changed by a chance encounter.  


Photographers pay tribute to Saudi Arabia’s capital at Misk exhibition

Photographers pay tribute to Saudi Arabia’s capital at Misk exhibition
Updated 09 December 2024
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Photographers pay tribute to Saudi Arabia’s capital at Misk exhibition

Photographers pay tribute to Saudi Arabia’s capital at Misk exhibition
  • Event puts the spotlight on Riyadh

RIYADH: Misk Art Week is underway in the Kingdom’s capital with workshops, markets, and showcases curated around the theme of art and technology.

As the country accelerates to new horizons, 20 local and international participants have revealed their perspectives of Riyadh and its ever-changing nature at the “Seeing Riyadh” exhibition.

Saudi photographer Meshari Al-Dosari’s work preserves the beauty of the city and its architectural heritage. Among the photographs are scenes of old neighborhood houses with distinctive motifs and vintage cars parked at the forefront, hinting to the viewer that life still exists in these worn-out homes.

Faisal Bin Zarah platforms the iconic Al-Faisaliah and Al-Mamlakah towers in his “Moonlight Symphony” and “Aligned.” (AN photo)

Al-Dosari said: “Houses nowadays look like closed-up boxes. They don’t have the same soul. That was an era that wasn’t really documented and it’s disappearing now.

“A lot of houses are being destroyed because they’re dilapidated or need renovation, so their owners build new houses and that era disappears.”

Italian artist Armando Perna was part of Misk Art Institute’s Masaha residency last year, in which he mapped Riyadh’s evolving character and its liminality. In “Seeing Riyadh,” his work focuses on the outskirts of the city. His photographs show simple prayer buildings that are often found on travel routes.

Dalal Almutairi dissects the nostalgic essences of childhood memories left behind in revisited spaces in “The Red Slide." (AN photo)

As an international artist he is fascinated by life in the desert that alludes to the old way of Saudi living that is different from the culture in cities.

He told Arab News: “In this kind of emptiness, you find these markers, which also give an identity to these places. They work in relation to the landscape.”

Part of his work also features caravans he photographed in a town north of Riyadh, which were used at the time for nomads. He added: “On the left side, there’s the modern structures with the modern caravans and on the right, these are the very old (mosques).”

The unique exhibition space, which used to be an auditorium, is lined with works that capture both the historic and contemporary marks and nuances of the changing city. (AN photo)

The exhibition space, which used to be an auditorium, is lined with works that capture both the historic and contemporary marks and nuances of the changing city.

Dalal Al-Mutairi dissects the nostalgic essences of childhood memories left behind in revisited spaces in “The Red Slide,” while Faisal Bin Zarah platforms the iconic Al-Faisaliah and Al-Mamlakah towers in his “Moonlight Symphony” and “Aligned.”

Saudi photographer Sarah Al-Ansary focuses on documenting Riyadh through its people, architecture, and culture.

As an international artist, Armando Perna was fascinated by the life in the desert that alludes to the old way of Saudi living that’s different from the culture in cities. (AN photo)

The emerging artist often visits old neighborhoods in the city, and told Arab News: “It feels amazing to capture buildings and elements that have been there for decades.”

On display are two sets of photos. One features photographs of handwritten shop signs, located in two different neighborhoods. Each sign highlights an amenity in that neighborhood, like the “neighborhood tailor” and “technical plumbing.”

She said: “What really drew me to the signs was how they were written by hand rather than being printed, which is the more common method used today. Both signs left me wondering how long they had been there.”

Saudi photographer Meshari Aldosari’s work preserves the beauty of the city. Old neighborhood houses with unique architectural motifs are framed with vintage cars parked at the forefront, letting us know that life still exists in these worn-out homes. (AN photo)

The second set of photos are of Shola Shopping Center, which opened in the 1980s but has since shut down. The artist was drawn to the bright colors and design of the building.

Al-Ansary said: “Being a part of Misk Art Week 2024 has been a wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded photographers and artists. I also loved seeing people resonate with the photos and having memories of the areas that I photographed.

“I’m very grateful to Misk Art Institute for valuing photography as an art form and giving me the opportunity to exhibit my work.”

Other participants include Hajar Ali, Latifa Al-Bokhari, Mohammed Al-Jubran, Sara Saad, and Tamara Hamad.

“Seeing Riyadh” is on view at Misk Art Week until Dec. 10.

 


‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ director aims to offer ‘unique and genuine cinema’

‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ director aims to offer ‘unique and genuine cinema’
Updated 09 December 2024
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‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ director aims to offer ‘unique and genuine cinema’

‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ director aims to offer ‘unique and genuine cinema’

JEDDAH: The opportunity to showcase his debut feature film “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo” at the Venice Film Festival and now at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah is a milestone for Egyptian director Khalid Mansour.

Arab News caught up with Mansour, who previously directed three short films and a mini-series titled “Rawaa Reads” (2023), after the first screening of the film in Jeddah.

“Being part of one of the world’s most significant cinematic events is an incredible opportunity to reach a wider audience and introduce myself as a filmmaker, especially since this film is my debut,” he said.

The first Egyptian film to screen at September’s Venice Film Festival in 12 years, “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo” tells the story of protagonist Hassan as he searches for a safe haven for his best friend, his beloved dog Rambo, after the canine is threatened by their landlord.

“The story of ‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ focuses on my generation and, through Hassan’s journey, we went deep into our thoughts, beliefs, fears, and sense of belonging. This project took about eight years to make because I intended to present unique and genuine cinema,” said Mansour.

He continued: “It is my first feature-length narrative film, and this film is not (just) about a dog and his friend, but it is about the complexities of our generation, highlighting (the) struggle … that we go through in our society.”

The film was inspired by a real incident that resulted in an Egyptian court jailing four men in 2015 over the brutal killing of a dog, which was filmed and sparked outrage when the video went viral.

“This is a film about the strong relationship between a man and his dog and it is a real incident which occurred on Al-Ahram Street (in Cairo), where a group of men killed a dog in front of all the neighbors out of revenge,” Mansour explained.

The film stars Essam Omar, Rakeen Saad, Ahmed Bahaa, Samaa Ibrahim, and the canine Rambo Brothers.

Produced by Rasha Hosny and Egyptian producer giant Mohamed Hefzy, the film will hit cinemas in the Arab world in January.


Saad Tahaitah showcases cultural heritage in ‘Aseer Memory’ at Red Sea International Film Festival

Saad Tahaitah showcases cultural heritage in ‘Aseer Memory’ at Red Sea International Film Festival
The film focuses on Mohammed Al-Matali, who lives in Asir. (Supplied)
Updated 09 December 2024
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Saad Tahaitah showcases cultural heritage in ‘Aseer Memory’ at Red Sea International Film Festival

Saad Tahaitah showcases cultural heritage in ‘Aseer Memory’ at Red Sea International Film Festival

JEDDAH: Saudi director Saad Tahaitah is set to present his short documentary “Aseer Memory” at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, which runs until Dec. 14.

In an interview with Arab News, he discussed on the film’s exploration of cultural identity and the significance of preserving local history through the lens of its central character, Mohammed Al-Matali. The 18-minute film narrates the journey of Al-Matali, who dedicates his life to curating his father’s library, filled with invaluable old books and documents that serve as vital links to the history of the Asir region in Saudi Arabia.

Tahaitah reflected on his filmmaking journey, saying: “I started making documentary films about eight years ago. What always inspires me is the story of people and their places; it’s a significant motivation and inspiration for making every film.”

His attraction to Al-Matali’s story stemmed from the “great legacy that this person possesses.” The director believes that Al-Matali's efforts will have an even more pronounced impact on the culture of the region in the coming years, highlighting that “the film serves as an extension and preservation of his efforts over the past decades.”

Born into a family of scholars, Al-Matali works to preserve precious old books and original documents that are often the only local sources of information about the area in which he grew up. Along with his collections, he has photographed and made videos of the prehistoric petroglyphs and ancient forts that stand in the area. In his latest project, he discovers forgotten local street names in the hope of restoring them to local villages.

Set to run among a slate of international titles hailing from countries including South Korea and the US, Tahaitah hopes that “Aseer Memory” will enlighten the international festival goers who flock to Jeddah about rich heritage of the Asir region.

“The external audience may not be aware of the extent of the culture and heritage we have in our country, especially regarding the subject of the film, the Asir region. The film showcases events and documents from hundreds of years ago, as well as the way of life of people decades ago. I aspire to create more works that focus on this aspect because documentaries are the soft power to convey what we want,” Tahaitah said.

“Documenting culture and human life will create an eternal memory for the region, making films immortal,” he added.