Tunisian film bags top prize at Dubai festival

DUBAI: Tunisian director Leyla Bouzid’s film “As I Open My Eyes” won the top award for fiction feature Wednesday at the Dubai International Film Festival.
Set in Tunisia months before the 2011 uprising, the film narrates the story of 18-year-old Farah, who defies taboos, joining a political rock band, far from her parents’ wish to see her become a doctor.
The French-Tunisian-Belgian co-production had featured in previous film festivals, including Toronto and Venice.
“I did not this prize at tall... I am very happy and proud,” Bouzid told AFP after winning the Best Muhr Fiction Feature prize. In total, 130 film from 60 countries, including long features, short films and documentaries, have been screened during the annual festival organized by the Gulf emirate.
A film based on the life of Palestinian Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf was also among the winners at the closing ceremony.
Hany Abu Assad’s ‘The Idol’ took home the People’s Choice Award, which is decided upon by public vote.
But the loudest applause of the evening was reserved for Best Muhr Non-Fiction Feature-winning documentary ‘We Have Never Been Kids’, with Mahmood Soliman also called to the stage to accept the award for Best Director.
Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed presented Lotfi Abdelli with the Best Actor trophy, for his role in ‘Borders of Heaven’, whilst the Best Actress honor went to ‘Nawara’ star Menna Shalabi.
French actress Catherine Deneuve was honored at the opening of the festival last week with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Nation reported, “Closing festivities were a success despite competition from neighboring emirate Abu Dhabi, which held the regional premiere of ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’, with hundreds of film fans streaming into Madinat Arena for final screening ‘The Big Short’.
The annual event, in its 12th year, was only declared a wrap following a glamorous after-party at SkyDive Dubai’s Zero Gravity, featuring a live performance from Shaggy.