Part-Arab models Imaan Hammam, Gigi Hadid shut down Met Gala carpet

Imaan Hammam (L) wore a Standing Ground dress, which Gigi Hadid (R) wore a Givenchy ensemble. (Getty/ AFP)
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Updated 04 May 2023
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Part-Arab models Imaan Hammam, Gigi Hadid shut down Met Gala carpet

  • US beauty influencer Meredith Duxbury championed Saudi designer Honayda Serafi at the Met Gala after-party

NEW YORK: Dutch Moroccan Egyptian model Imaan Hammam shut down the Met Gala carpet this week wearing a white dress by Irish designer Michael Stewart’s label Standing Ground.




Imaan Hammam a white gown from Standing Ground. (Getty Images)

The form-fitting, long sleeved dress had cream-colored fringe detailing at the waist.

US Palestinian Dutch model Gigi Hadid was also in attendance. She wore a Givenchy ensemble in black with feathers, a drop waist and sheer train in tulle. It took more than 300 hours to make.




Gigi Hadid wore a Givenchy ensemble in black with feathers. (AFP)

US beauty influencer Meredith Duxbury championed Saudi designer Honayda Serafi at the Met Gala after-party. She donned a long black tulle dress with a checkered twill collar from the designer’s Spring/Summer 2023 collection.




Duxbury wore a long black tulle dress. (AFP)

Meanwhile, Rihanna turned heads encased in white camellias on a jacket with a long train gown at the Met Gala. 

In the spirit of Lagerfeld himself, Rihanna and her Valentino couture had the carpet to themselves save her partner, A$AP Rocky, who wore a red tartan skirt over crystal-studded jeans with a train of his own.

Around her neck was a short Bulgari necklace in Akoya cultured pearls and pearl-shaped diamonds.




Rihanna turned heads encased in white camellias on a jacket with a long train gown. (AFP)

Lagerfeld was the honoree at the A-list gala with many in the crowd of about 400 dressed in vintage looks from the fashion houses where he worked during a career of more than 60 years.

Dua Lipa walked in a white Chanel ballgown from the fashion house’s archive and Nicole Kidman chose a look Lagerfeld himself made for her 20 years ago.




Dua Lipa walked in a white Chanel ballgown. (AFP)

Lipa, a gala co-chair, wore a Tiffany & Co. diamond around her neck. She called her cream-colored dress, by Chanel from 1992, “very, very special” as it has been on her mood boards.

Kidman said it was Lagerfeld who ignited her fashion spark. She wore a pale pink gown created by Lagerfeld for a Chanel No. 5 commercial she starred in. It's adorned with 3,000 silver crystals for the ad directed by Baz Luhrmann.




Kidman wore a pale pink gown created by Lagerfeld for a Chanel No. 5 commercial she starred in. (AFP)

“I’m very grateful to wear it,” she told The Associated Press. “He was so much a part of my life, as were his whole team. He was the one really sort of shepherded me … in terms of my love of fashion.”

Kidman topped off her look with Harry Winston diamonds.

Cardi B first donned pink then switched to a full black ballgown with, you guessed it, camellias. Up top, she said, “is giving Karl, the house of Chanel and Karl at the same time.” It was a men’s white collar shirt accent with a black men’s tie. The outfit in honor of Lagerfeld was done by an up-and-coming British design house, Chenpeng Studio.




She wore a men’s white collar shirt accent with a black men’s tie.

“The Met Gala dress code was ‘in honor of Karl’ and guests definitely understood the assignment,” said Alison Cohn, deputy fashion news editor for Harper's Bazaar. “They referenced the many signatures Karl Lagerfeld developed over his six-decade plus career.”

And there were some bombshells: Serena Williams wore a flapper Gucci look when she announced she’s pregnant with her second child.

Kendall Jenner was in black, sans pants. She wore a sparkly leotard with long sleeves that has pieces doubling as a train. On her feet were kinky, towering black boots, all courtesy of Marc Jacobs.




Kendall Jenner was in black, sans pants. (AFP)

Jenner’s high white collar was a nod to those worn by Lagerfeld. Her hair was in a high ponytail.

Kim Kardashian, meanwhile, went with loops and loops of pearls all over her Schiaparelli look.


Saudi Film Festival ends with honors for best production, music, acting

Updated 10 May 2024
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Saudi Film Festival ends with honors for best production, music, acting

  • Kingdom’s acclaimed wildlife documentary ‘Horizon’ and film ‘Hajjan’ win top awards

DHAHRAN: The red carpet was rolled out on the final night of the eight-day 10th Saudi Film Festival on Thursday with awards handed out for best production, music and acting.

The event, held at King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, or Ithra, had included masterclasses, workshops, book signings and networking opportunities.

The event was held at King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture. (Supplied)

The closing ceremony was a glamorous event, as presenters handed out the Golden Palm awards on stage.

Of the 76 films that were screened, 53 titles competed for 36 awards.

The closing ceremony was a glamorous event. (Supplied)

The acclaimed 2024 wildlife documentary “Horizon” won in its category. It was produced by the Konoz Initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Media’s Center for Government Communication and the National Center for Wildlife.

Ithra’s own award-winning “Hajjan,” about a young camel rider, won for best music, best actor for the young star Omar Alatawi, and best actress for Tulin Essam. The film also won the Jury Golden Palm.

Of the 76 films that were screened, 53 titles competed for 36 awards. (Supplied)

One of the big winners on the night was the documentary shown at the opening ceremony of the festival on May 2, “Underground,” about the music scene in Saudi Arabia.

The list of winners and the recorded stream are available on the Ithra website.


Highlights from the Middle East Institute’s ‘Louder Than Hearts’ in Washington DC

Updated 10 May 2024
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Highlights from the Middle East Institute’s ‘Louder Than Hearts’ in Washington DC

DUBAI: The Middle East Institute in Washington DC is hosting works by female photographers from the Arab world. 

Tasneem Al-Sultan 

‘Diversity Within Saudi Weddings’ 

The acclaimed Lebanon-born Palestinian-American photographer Rania Matar has curated “Louder Than Hearts,” an exhibition of work by 10 female photographers, including herself, from the Arab world and Iran that runs at the Middle East Institute in Washington DC until October 4. Saudi Arabia is represented by Riyadh-based “visual storyteller and photographer” Tasneem Al-Sultan, specifically her “Saudi Tales of Love” series, which, the MEI says, is “informed by her personal journey through marriage and divorce.” 

In wedding images such as this one, Al-Sultan “depicts the constructs and expectations of marriage, including the elaborate ceremonies, as well as the various societal constraints the Saudi women she photographed faced and triumphed over” and “delves into the complexities of relationships and the interplay of tradition and individual choice.”  

The series has garnered global recognition for Al-Sultan, featuring in Time’s “Lightbox” photo series and the international photography fair Paris Photo. 

Rania Matar 

‘Farah (In Her Burnt Car)’ 

Matar’s photography, the MEI states, “captures intimate moments that transcend borders and cultures and explores themes of personal and collective identity through photos of women in the US and the Middle East.” 

The series to which this image belongs — “Where Do I Go? Fifty Years Later” — began after the devastating explosion in Beirut Port in August 2020, and the title alludes to the fact that 2025 will be the 50th anniversary of the beginning of Lebanon’s civil war. The wave of emigration that followed the 2020 explosion was “akin to that of 1984-85 when a wave of young people including herself left the war-stricken country. By photographing these women, Matar was relating to their experiences and their dilemma of immigration (decades) later.” 

Rehaf Al-Batniji  

‘Malak’ 

This image comes from Paris-based, Gaza-born photographer Al-Batniji’s series titled “(Shatt) The Beach & (Shatta) The Chili Pepper,” a project that explores “the social and cultural anthropology” of her hometown. Shatta is a major ingredient in Palestinian cuisine, and “emblematic of Gaza, where life’s challenges can sting like this fiery spice,” while shatt is “the serene beach where residents seek solace and escape their daily reality.”  

Al-Batniji’s work, the MEI states, “offers an intimate portrayal of the territory, reflecting the struggles and intensity of life under siege, as well as the resilience and vibrancy of its communities with refreshing hopefulness. Al-Batniji rejects the brutal imagery of conflict and instead uses color as a tool of resistance.” 

Carmen Yahchouchi 

‘Victoria’ 

Mali-born Lebanese photographer Yahchouchi has work from three of her series in the exhibition, all of which “capture the enduring impact of the Lebanese Civil War on women, highlighting their pivotal roles in the middle of chaos and devastation,” the MEI’s promotional material states. “Her work offers glimpses into their resilience, strength and sacrifice as they navigated through tumultuous periods of history emerging as heroines within their communities and families and assuming new roles in the public sphere.” This piece is from her series “My Mother’s Gun,” and demonstrates Yahchouchi’s talent for photographing “the intimate spaces of human experience, inviting viewers into her subjects' unique worlds.” 

Tanya Habjouqa  

‘Inner Resistance’ 

The Jordanian photographer and journalist, who lives and works in East Jerusalem, “melds a mordant sense of irony with an unyielding examination of the repercussions of geopolitical conflicts on people’s lives,” according to the MEI. This image comes from her “Occupied Pleasures” series, which, the institute says, “presents a multidimensional portrayal of humanity’s ability to find joy amid adversity in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza, utilizing a sharp sense of humor about the absurdities produced by a 47-year occupation.” 


Film Review: ‘Mother’s Instinct,’ a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the end

Updated 10 May 2024
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Film Review: ‘Mother’s Instinct,’ a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the end

  • Anne Hathaway plays "the perfect mother" in this 2024 psychological thriller in a remake of a French film, which itself was a novel adaptation

Anne Hathaway has played many roles over the course of her career: a surprise princess, an assistant to a fashion magazine editor, a recovering addict, Cat Woman. In “Mother’s Instinct,” she plays a mother — the perfect mother.

In this 2024 psychological thriller — a remake of a French film which itself was a novel adaptation — Hathaway is joined by Jessica Chastain. The two play best friends who are living the American dream.

They are next-door neighbors. Their husbands are the best of friends, as are their eight-year-old sons. They live in an affluent neighborhood in cookie-cutter 1960s’ suburban America. Everything seems idyllic.

The film begins with Celine’s (Hathaway) birthday. Alice (Chastain) and the women’s husbands throw a surprise backyard party. Celine receives a pearl necklace, a joint gift from their family and friends. It’s a wonderful celebration.

But the next day, there’s a tragic death.

One of the young boys falls from a balcony under suspicious circumstances. At the time, he was being supervised by the other mother.

The film forces us to ask: How can a mother live with herself after she entrusted her son’s life to her friend? Could anyone forgive themselves? Could they forgive their friend? 

By mid-film, there are still two mothers — but now one is childless. The one whose son has survived feels guilt. The one who lost her boy feels fury. Both feel grief.

As the story unfolds there are more deaths and we begin to wonder: Did one mother deliberately harm the other’s son? Who is innocent here? Who is evil? Was it an accident or a deliberate act? And who will die next? 

Events become more sinister. Nothing seems perfect anymore. Even the beautiful pearl necklace ends up broken on the floor, the tiny gems rolling around chaotically.

First-time director Benoit Delhomme does a good job of leading our eyes where he wants them to go. The cinematography is beautiful, while the styling and outfits are divine.

This film keeps you guessing until the end. And there is no happy ending; sometimes, the happy ending is that there is one at all.


US animation lights up Saudi Film Festival

Updated 09 May 2024
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US animation lights up Saudi Film Festival

DHAHRAN: Saudi filmmakers of the future were given a masterclass in the latest animation techniques as part of the Saudi Film Festival this week.

The animation workshops were led by experts from the US as part of a collaboration between the festival and the American Chamber of Commerce and US Consulate in Dhahran.

The animation workshops were led by experts from the US as part of a collaboration between the festival and the American Chamber of Commerce and US Consulate in Dhahran. (Supplied)

Todd Albert Nims, one of the pioneers in shaping the Saudi film industry over the past decade, told Arab News that with a population of 36 million, many under 35, Saudi Arabia is ripe with potential in the film sector.

Nims, an American who was born and raised in Dhahran, is now head of the AmCham Arts, Culture and Entertainment Committee, and has been involved in all aspects of Saudi-centered films, from acting to producing.

“I went to the first Saudi Film Festival in 2008 and worked with them on bringing the Saudi Film Festival into Ithra … I was there with them, and I’ve been here within this journey for the last 16 years,” he said.

Nims said that many Saudis grew up watching Disney films, and began their filmmaking efforts creating short content on YouTube.

He said there is huge potential for the Saudi market to grow, adding that he wanted to offer young filmmakers the opportunity to “gain expertise right in their backyard.”

Travis Blaise, who has over three decades of experience in animation, and has worked on Disney classics such as “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Lion King,” was on hand to conduct a five-day workshop.

“I was brought on to bring something new and unique to this Saudi Film Festival, which was bringing storytelling, or visual storytelling, to script,” he told Arab News. 

Together with fellow American William Winkler, Blaise dedicated each day to bringing the overall picture to life, sketching ideas, developing the story structure, and even discuss the backstory of characters.

The goal was for each student to develop their own 30-second script. The workshop began with 11 students, but the figure soon ballooned to 20.

“Every single student was Saudi; most of them were women from several universities, while a couple were already professionals working in the industry,” Blaise said.

“I love the excitement and passion that they (the Saudi students) share because I have shared that same passion for the last 34 years, and the fact that I can bring something of my own experience to someone who is passionate and open-minded and willing to learn about film really is exciting,” he said. 

The experts told Arab News that they are committed to building connections between the US and Saudi film industries, recognizing its potential to inspire, educate, and entertain audiences both domestically and internationally.

“Through filmmaking, we aim to strengthen ties between the US and Saudi Arabia by fostering mutual understanding and creative collaboration,” Alison Dilworth, the US deputy chief of mission, told Arab News.


British Council, Saudi Cinema Association working to ‘drive’ industry growth

Updated 09 May 2024
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British Council, Saudi Cinema Association working to ‘drive’ industry growth

  • Two organizations collaborated for 10th Saudi Film Festival
  • Aim to find emerging talent and foster cultural exchange

DHAHRAN: The partnership between the British Council and the Saudi Cinema Association this week for the 10th edition of the Saudi Film Festival will help boost the industry, showcase emerging talent, and foster cultural exchange, say officials and creatives.

The event at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, or Ithra, in Dhahran, began on May 2 and concludes on Thursday.

For the occasion, Studio Ulster and the SCA offered a training program to empower Saudi Arabia filmmakers with cutting-edge animation skills. The program commenced online and continued during the festival.

As part of the festival’s program, the British Council showcased a curated selection of UK short films, providing a platform for filmmakers to engage with Saudi Arabia audiences and forge meaningful connections.

Furthering this initiative was a series of masterclasses hosted by animation legends from Blue Zoo Productions, who offered insights into the nuances of building a thriving animation industry within the cultural framework of the country.

“We believe in the power of the arts to drive socio-economic development and are committed to fostering long-term partnerships that empower artists and enrich communities,” Amany Abouzeid, regional arts director of British Council MENA, said of the festival’s role in elevating the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.

UK-based film producer Tony Humphreys, who came from London to attend the event, had high hopes for the week.

“I’m a producer and I’m also a consultant over here at the moment in the Saudi Film Festival to help try and link Saudi businesses and Saudi creatives with UK businesses and UK creatives,” Humphreys told Arab News.

The experience exceeded his expectations.

“I’ve met lots of very interesting people; lots of energy, lots of desire to do more and succeed creatively and lots of collaboration potential between our two nations,” he said.

“I’ve seen several of the programs, particularly the short film programs, I think there’s been a really interesting mix across all sorts of storytelling; some more traditional, some quite challenging in terms of themes and content. I think there’s a real vibe and a positive sort of drive of wanting to take the industry further very quickly.”

Ahmed Al-Mulla, who founded the SCA, said: “Our filmmakers were dreamers; they made their films underground and then went outside the country to screen them … Now, things changed in the blink of an eye.”