Review: ‘CineHouse’ in Riyadh

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Updated 29 March 2025
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Review: ‘CineHouse’ in Riyadh

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  • The movie offering is rich and diverse

If you love cinema but are tired of the same old blockbusters showing at the major chains, then CineHouse in Riyadh’s Ar-Rabi district could be just what the doctor ordered this Eid holiday.

Opened late last year by Saudi producer Faisal Baltyuor, the city’s first ever art house cinema has become a haven for movie enthusiasts keen to see classic, modern and cult favorites in a stylish setting.

Located in One Square, CineHouse’s three screening rooms have an elegant, old-school charm, with art deco lamps, marble floors and vintage film posters.

Each room also has fewer seats than a standard cinema, which adds to the comfort and coziness. But with 4K laser projectors and an Atmos sound system the audio and visuals are top quality.

The movie offering is rich and diverse. Recent screenings include classics such as “12 Angry Men” and “Silence of the Lambs” and more modern fare such as Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar” and last year’s Palestinian indie favorite “Passing Dreams.”

The venue also hosted Korean Film Week and recently screened a selection of popular Arab shorts, including “Dunya’s Day,” “I Am Afraid to Forget Your Face” and “Al-Sit.”

As well as the cinematic offerings, CineHouse serves up an excellent choice of dining options, including steaks and pasta, all feshly prepared to order.

Tickets range from SR80-100 ($21-27).

 


Annemarie Jacir’s ‘Palestine 36’ to premiere at TIFF 2025

Annemarie Jacir’s ‘Palestine 36’ to premiere at TIFF 2025
Updated 29 July 2025
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Annemarie Jacir’s ‘Palestine 36’ to premiere at TIFF 2025

Annemarie Jacir’s ‘Palestine 36’ to premiere at TIFF 2025

DUBAI: Director Annemarie Jacir’s “Palestine 36” will premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival as a gala screening.

Set on the outskirts of Jerusalem, “Palestine 36” tells the story of the Arab uprising against the British mandate.

“1936. As villages across Mandatory Palestine rise against British colonial rule, Yusuf drifts between his rural home and the restless energy of Jerusalem, longing for a future beyond the growing unrest,” the official logline reads. “But history is relentless. With rising numbers of Jewish immigrants escaping antisemitism in Europe, and the Palestinian population uniting in the largest and longest uprising against Britain’s 30-year dominion, all sides spiral towards inevitable collision in a decisive moment for the British Empire and the future of the entire region.”

The film features an ensemble cast including Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons, “Game of Thrones” star Liam Cunningham, and Tunisian actor Dhafer L’Abidine, alongside Palestinian talents Hiam Abbass, Yasmine Al-Massri, Kamel El Basha, and Saleh Bakri.

Jacir, whose previous credits include “Salt of the Sea,” “When I Saw You,” “Wajib” and episodes of “Ramy,” has been working on the project since before the pandemic.

“For years I’ve dreamed to make a film about the 1936 revolt, one of the most critical moments in our history, but in a way that is intimate, personal and raw. The story follows a group of people that each find themselves in a position they never asked for, and with something so much bigger than they know hanging over them. The film is about the moments in our lives where we are confronted with a choice, a decision that changes us forever,” Jacir previously said, according to Variety.  

The film was partially funded by Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Fund and the Qatar-based Katara Studios, among other entities.  


Chris Tucker tops bill of international stars at inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival

Chris Tucker tops bill of international stars at inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival
Updated 21 min 45 sec ago
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Chris Tucker tops bill of international stars at inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival

Chris Tucker tops bill of international stars at inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival
  • Pete Davidson, Aziz Ansari, Louis C.K. and Omid Djalili also among more than 50 comics who will perform during the 2-week event beginning Sept. 26
  • Others announced on Monday include Tom Segura, Nimesh Patel, Sam Morril, Chris Distefano, Mark Normand, Hannibal Buress and Jimeoin

LONDON: Award-winning Hollywood actor Chris Tucker, critically acclaimed performer Pete Davidson, and Emmy award-winner Aziz Ansari are among more than 50 top comedians from around the world who will perform at the inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival.

The lineup for the event, at Boulevard City from Sept. 26 to Oct. 9, also includes: Tom Segura, known for his Netflix specials, including “Ball Hog” and “Sledgehammer,” and the series “Bad Thoughts;” podcast hosts Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee; Emmy-nominated writer and performer Nimesh Patel; late-night favorite Sam Morril; and UK actor and comedian Omid Djalili.

Also on the bill are Chris Distefano, who in February released his latest stand-up special, “It’s Just Unfortunate,” on streaming service Hulu; Mark Normand, whose special “Soup To Nuts” is on Netflix; veteran writer and comedian Hannibal Buress; six-time Emmy and three-time Grammy winner Louis C.K.; and Jimeoin, known for his observational comedy.

They are among the first 26 performers confirmed by Turki Alalshikh, chairperson of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

Other comics confirmed to be taking part include Andrew Schulz, Bill Burr, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Jessica Kirson, Jimmy Carr, Jo Koy, Kevin Hart, Maz Jobrani, Russell Peters, Sebastian Maniscalco, Whitney Cummings and Zarna Garg.


Lindsay Lohan brings the glam as she jets off from Dubai

Lindsay Lohan brings the glam as she jets off from Dubai
Updated 27 July 2025
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Lindsay Lohan brings the glam as she jets off from Dubai

Lindsay Lohan brings the glam as she jets off from Dubai

DUBAI: Dubai-based Hollywood star Lindsay Lohan is making a dazzling return to the spotlight with the “Freakier Friday” press tour, flying from the UAE to Los Angeles before heading to Mexico City.

Lohan, who is married to Kuwaiti financier Bader Shammas, wowed at the world premiere in LA last week in a pink custom Miu Miu gown, featuring a sweetheart neckline, flowing skirt, and sparkling crystal embellishments. Her accessory of choice? A crystal-studded karaoke mic clutch by Judith Leiber — a playful nod to her character’s band, Pink Slip, in the original “Freaky Friday.”

She also took a moment to pose alongside “The Parent Trap” co-stars Lisa Ann Walter and Elaine Hendrix, the latter of whom even makes a cameo in the sequel.

For the next leg of the tour in Mexico City, Lohan hit the red carpet in a dramatic magenta Balmain gown from the brand’s Resort 2026 collection, featuring a strapless draped silhouette and gold chain neckline.

“Freakier Friday” is the sequel to 2003’s “Freaky Friday” starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lohan. In the follow-up film, Curtis and Lohan reprise their roles as Tess and Anna Coleman. The story picks up years after Tess (Curtis) and Anna (Lohan) endured a swapped identity crisis. Anna now has a daughter of her own and a soon-to-be stepdaughter.

As they navigate the myriad challenges that arise when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover that lightning might indeed strike twice. Nisha Ganatra directs the sequel with Kristin Burr and Andrew Gunn as producers.

Speaking to Empire, Lohan confirmed that punk-rock Anna still lives on: “The second I started with my guitar coach again, it was like we never left,” she said. “It was the same guitar, everything.”

As for Anna’s new solo? “We made it more difficult for this one,” she added. “I’m such a perfectionist — we rehearsed a lot.”

About playing a grown-up version of her character Anna, Lohan said, “The whole world looks different. Everything is about your child. But we have to remember to make time for ourselves too, live our lives, fulfill our dreams. Moms are always trying to juggle it all, and that’s what Anna’s going through in this.”

 


Razane Jammal shares behind-the-scenes look at ‘The Sandman’

Razane Jammal shares behind-the-scenes look at ‘The Sandman’
Updated 26 July 2025
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Razane Jammal shares behind-the-scenes look at ‘The Sandman’

Razane Jammal shares behind-the-scenes look at ‘The Sandman’

DUBAI: British Lebanese actress Razane Jammal took to social media this weekend to share behind-the-scenes shots from her time filming Netflix’s “The Sandman.”

The second season of the show landed on the streaming platform in July in two parts, with the second half of the season premiering this weekend.

“Dream dangerously and beware of the kindly (not so kindly) ones,” Jammal captioned her post on Instagram.  

The carousel of photos shows Jammal in a hair and makeup studio, as well as on location in a mist-covered field.

In the role that arguably shot her to stardom, Jammal played Lyta Hall in 2022’s “The Sandman,” based on the legendary graphic novels — and she reprised her role in the latest season.

 

In season one, her character dreams of her dead husband each night, slowly realizing that he is not a figment of her imagination but is hiding out in the dream world.

It is a part that Jammal managed to play truthfully with subtlety — a subtlety for which she credited her mother in a previous interview with Arab News.

“I’ve always been extra, and my mom was far more subtle than I am. I had to fine-tune myself to vibrate on her frequency, a frequency that was very sweet and very raw, and vulnerable and nurturing. I took that from her.

“I grew up having a simple, community-based life in a place where you have 500 mothers and everyone feeds you and you feel safe — even if it’s not safe at all. At the same time we went through so many traumas, from civil wars to assassinations to losing all our money in another financial crisis.”

“The Sandman” is based on novels written by British author Neil Gaiman.

This is the final season of the series, with Netflix announcing its cancellation after Gaiman faced a civil lawsuit accusing him of rape and sexual assault earlier this year, amid more accusations of sexual misconduct.

“‘The Sandman’ series has always been focused exclusively on Dream’s story, and back in 2022, when we looked at the remaining Dream material from the comics, we knew we only had enough story for one more season,” showrunner Allan Heinberg said in a statement to Variety in January, indicating that the reason behind the show’s cancellation was a lack of script material.

Gaiman has denied the allegations.


Tributes pour in as Lebanese musician Ziad Rahbani dies at 69

Tributes pour in as Lebanese musician Ziad Rahbani dies at 69
Updated 26 July 2025
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Tributes pour in as Lebanese musician Ziad Rahbani dies at 69

Tributes pour in as Lebanese musician Ziad Rahbani dies at 69

DUBAI: Lebanese musician and playwright Ziad Rahbani, who was the son of iconic singer Fayrouz, died on Saturday at the age of 69.

Rahbani, who was born on Jan. 1, 1956, began composing for Fayrouz as a teenager and is the mind behind legendary songs including “Kifak Inta” and “Bala Wala Shi.” His father, composer Assi Rahbani, was a musical icon in his own right.

Considered one of the most influential voices in Lebanese music, Rahbani was also a fierce political commentator and was known for his biting political satire and political theater. Notable plays by Rahbani include “Nazl Al-Sourour,” “A Long American Film,” and “Bema Inno.” 

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam paid tribute to Rahbani in a post on X, calling him “an exceptional creative artist and a free voice who remained loyal to the values of justice and dignity.

“Ziad embodied a deep commitment to human and national causes,” Salam added. 

“On stage, through music and words, he said what many did not dare to say, and for decades, he touched the hopes and pains of the Lebanese people. With his piercing honesty, he planted a new awareness in the conscience of national culture.”