Venice Film Festival returns next month with a host of highly anticipated premieres including Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Todd Phillips’s Joker: Folie a Deux, Justin Kurzel’s The Order and Pedro Almodovar’s The Room Next Door.
However, away from Hollywood's star names, Arab participation at the event will be front and centre for many in the region.
As well as a host of films from creatives in the Middle East and North Africa that will be screened, two Arab filmmakers have been chosen to serve on juries: Mauritanian director Abderrahmane Sissako and Syrian filmmaker Soudade Kaadan.
Here's what to know about them.
Abderrahmane Sissako
Chosen to serve on the Main Competition jury, Sissako garnered international acclaim for his poignant exploration of themes such as globalisation, exile and the human experience.
Sissako's directorial career soared with films like 2002’s Waiting for Happiness, which won the Fipresci Prize in Cannes's Un Certain Regard. His 2006 film Bamako drew attention for its bold critique of global economic institutions, but it was 2014’s Timbuktu that cemented his reputation, competing for the Palme d'Or at Cannes and earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
His filmmaking style is characterised by slow pacing that allows viewers to immerse themselves in the intricacies of his narratives while contemplating the broader socio-political contexts. Sissako’s films often feature non-professional actors, adding authenticity to his portrayals and bridging the gap between fiction and reality.
Sissako has also been active in cultural and humanitarian causes, notably signing an open letter last year advocating for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid during the Israeli invasion of Gaza. He has also served on prestigious film festival juries, including Cannes and Moscow, and has been a cultural advisor to Mauritanian leaders.
During a visit to the UAE to screen Timbuktu at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival in 2014, Sissako said: “To bring the movie anywhere is a good thing – but especially in this part of the world because cinema is very new for many people here, and it’s important to take the view of not only Hollywood.”
Sissako will be on a jury that includes American filmmaker James Gray, British filmmaker Andrew Haigh, Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi and French actress Isabelle Huppert, who will also serve as the jury president.
Soudade Kaadan
Chosen to serve on the Orizzonti category panel, Kaadan is known for her exploration of human resilience during times of conflict. Born and raised in Damascus, Kaadan's films reflect the stark realities faced by ordinary Syrians, capturing both the devastation of war and the enduring spirit of hope.
Her notable films include the short The Day I Lost My Shadow, which won the Lion of the Future Award for Best Debut Film at the Venice Film Festival in 2018. Set during the Syrian Civil War, the film portrays the challenges faced by a mother and her young son as they navigate a day of hardship and loss.
Kaadan is also known to use film as a platform for advocacy and awareness. She actively promotes the voices of Syrian artists and filmmakers, striving to amplify their stories on the global stage while shedding light on the resilience and creativity that endure amid adversity.
Speaking to The Guardian about her 2022 film Nezouh, Kaadan said: “They want us to simplify the complexity of the Syrian war for western audiences, I refuse to do that. They want films from Syria to be explanatory and informative and not a film with storytelling, with a personal point of view.”
Kaadan will be on a jury that includes Iranian filmmaker and producer Ali Asgari, Italian filmmaker Valia Santella, Greek filmmaker Christos Nikou and American filmmaker and cinematographer Debra Granik, who will serve as the jury president.
Venice Film Festival is set to run from August 28 to September 7
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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'Panga'
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
2019 ASIAN CUP FINAL
Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
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HOW TO WATCH
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A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
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Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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UFC%20FIGHT%20NIGHT%3A%20SAUDI%20ARABIA%20RESULTS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
