The Abu Dhabi Film Festival is here, but how will you know what to go and watch from the dozens of great movies on offer? We’ve combed through the best films, documentaries and shorts from the collection to bring you the ultimate guide for getting the best from the festival
Fifty one countries, 91 films, 11 premieres, just one location: the Abu Dhabi Film Festival. Seven years in, the capital’s celebration of all things cinema has established itself at the forefront of bringing the most interesting, challenging and, above all, best movies to the screens of Abu Dhabi. Playing host to not only a wide selection of motion pictures from all over the globe, including films from right here in the UAE, the ADFF signifies the city’s biggest showcase of the art form yet; there are more films being shown than last year, and even more countries being represented. This makes the event an unmissable date for both the hardened cinephile and casual film fan alike.
But what can attendees expect? Officially opening the proceedings will be crazy caper Life Of Crime, starring Jennifer Aniston and John Hawkes, while a slew of awards for Best Narrative, Best Short and a Career Achievement award for renowned Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass will close out the festivities. But it’s the viewers – that’s you – who make the festival as successful and vibrant as it is, and there’s an abundance of quality films on offer to reward you with.
This year’s movies come from locales as far-flung as Tunisia, Australia and Mexico, and vary from the work of prestigious directors (Stephen Frear’s Philomena), to world-shaking documentaries (Blackfish), to the UAE’s first horror film (Djinn). Prominent on the actor radar at the festival is Jesse Eisenberg, with both Night Moves and The Double – the former in which the Social Network star plays an enviro-anarchist plotting to blow up a dam, and the latter where he spirals into madness after a doppelganger steals his personal and professional life.
All movies will be shown at the VOX cinema in Marina Mall, along with Emirates Palace where the red carpet gala screenings and special events are taking place, such as master classes and workshops, alongside films.
Director Ali Al Jabri is convinced this year’s festival is going to be the best ever, and so are we. ‘We travel the world all year, we “cast our nets”, explore, and try to find the most outstanding films made – and then we bring them to Abu Dhabi’, he says. ‘A film should take its audiences to new places, be it a touching trip into human feelings or an engrossing adventure into deep space.’ There’s only one way to find out where ADFF 2013 will take us; will you be there?
The Abu Dhabi Film Festival, October 24-November 2, at VOX Marina Mall and Emirates Palace. For tickets and information visit www.adff.ae.
