There’s a tender moment in Raiders of the Lost Ark, when Karen Allen’s Marion says Indiana Jones is not the man that she knew 10 years ago.
“It’s not the years, honey, it’s the mileage,” quips back Harrison Ford’s Indy.
Ford turned 38 while filming Raiders of the Lost Ark back in 1981 when director Steven Spielberg and creator George Lucas fired us back to the old-fashioned swashbuckler of the 1930s and 40s.
Forty two years later, he returns for a fifth and final outing, declaring that he’s calling time on his whip-cracking, artefact-hunting archaeologist.
Ford, 80, wanted to go out with a tale where, maybe, the years and the mileage are showing.
“I was ambitious for a story that featured a reality in the characters,” he tells The National when we meet at the Cannes Film Festival where Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny has just had its premiere.
“And that reality is most specifically the presence of age. And I wanted it to be about that because that’s what I’m about right now. And that moves me and … it stimulates my imagination and it’s what I’m about at that stage. We investigate that in various ways occasionally in a movie, but we don’t do it in a popular film that much.”
That’s certainly true – Hollywood heroes are either youthful or indestructible, in the mould of Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible spy Ethan Hunt.
But Indiana Jones has always been different. Famously fearful of snakes, he started out shrouded in a vulnerability that, until Bruce Willis’ Die Hard cop John McClane, wasn’t seen in the eighties action heroes played by the likes of Stallone and Schwarzenegger. He even had daddy issues, as 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade showed with his tetchy relationship to his father, played by Sean Connery.
In Dial of Destiny, time has finally caught up with him. It’s 1969. Man is about to land on the Moon. Indy, though, lives alone, in a noisy New York apartment plastered with photos from the past. After a prologue where we see Indy in his prime, thanks to a digitally de-aged Ford, he’s rudely woken from his slumber by hippie neighbours blasting out The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour.
Stagnant and sedentary, it’s a perfect way to reintroduce Indy, says incoming director James Mangold.
“He’s thinking ‘I can’t do that kind of quest any more. Because a) my body can’t handle it. And b) the world doesn’t present me with those opportunities any more',” he says. “I don’t think Indy has stopped caring and wanting to learn about the world. But … the world has changed. People are thinking about other things.”
Taking over the reins of the franchise from Spielberg, Mangold already has experience in this particular field. Logan, his 2017 film set on the fringes of the X-Men universe, dealt with an ageing Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman.
Whoever was directing, Ford simply wanted to show Indy’s failings.
“He’s a flawed human being. Just like most of us to a degree. I hope that you will feel that he has developed from film to film … there was some kernel of wisdom or joy or virtue that he had that we carry on to the next film,” he says.
“But it’s a tenuous connection for us. We don’t wake up the same every day. We have good days and bad days. He’s having a series of bad days. I mean, he’s waking up in a lazy-boy armchair with an empty glass in his hand.”
What gets him out of his funk is a visit from his goddaughter Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), who is searching for something called the Antikythera, also known as Archimedes’ Dial, which can track rips in the very fabric of time. No damsel in distress, the mercenary Helena isn’t exactly pure of heart.
“These kids are growing up in a world without a moral compass to a degree and this young character, this character that Phoebe plays, is the articulation of that reality,” says Ford. “The relationship between her character and my character is – aside from Karen Allen – one of the deepest relationships the series has created.”
What about the villains?
“There’s only one good guy in Indiana Jones!” says American actor Boyd Holbrook. “I mean, it’s him and people who are usually after him.”
Indeed, from Ronald Lacey’s Nazi agent in Raiders of the Lost Ark to Amrish Puri’s Thuggee Priest Mola Ram in the 1984 follow-up Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom to Cate Blanchett's severe Soviet in 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, they’ve always been memorable.
This time, Jones comes up against ex-Nazi scientist Jurgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), who has escaped his fascist past and is living in the US under the name Dr Schmidt.
“He’s a scientist, he’s a passionate man of mathematics,” explains Danish star Mikkelsen. “The ideology plays second fiddle. But if you can combine the two, it’s a great day.”
Despite Mikkelsen’s remarkable record of starring in major Hollywood franchises (Star Wars, Fantastic Beasts …, the MCU and James Bond), he had goosebumps when he first met Ford.
“We had a costume fitting. I went out and he came out of his trailer – hat, whip, jacket. I was meeting Indiana Jones instead of Harrison. That was it! Standing there, grumpy, what am I doing here? With the whip. I was smiling all over my face,” he recalls.
Joining Mikkelsen’s Voller is Alabama thug Klaber, played by Holbrook, as they pursue Indy, Helena and her teenage sidekick Teddy (Ethann Isidore) through Morocco and Greece in search of the dial.
Holbrook, who featured in the Mangold-directed Logan, didn’t want to play the character as German, as originally written. Playing him as an American gave Klaber another dimension, the actor felt.
“What is he doing? Well, obviously, no one wants him. Society doesn’t want him. He’s just fallen in with these terrible people because they’re the only ones that will have him.”
While Kingdom of the Crystal Skull left many critics cold, reviews were mixed-to-positive for Dial of Destiny. How it will fare at the box office will largely be down to how it connects with younger audiences.
Half-Brazilian, half-Mauritian newcomer Isidore, 16, who plays Teddy, believes his generation will seek it out.
“My friends and I grew up with Indiana Jones,” he says. “And I used to watch these movies almost every weekend with my parents.”
Studio backers Disney will hope he’s not alone; the film is currently eyeing a $60-70 million opening in the US this week, although it’ll need to do well to beat Crystal Skull’s franchise-best $790 million worldwide box office.
Certainly, viewers are not spared action. From the 1944-set prologue on a speeding train, the film has more than enough chases – subways in New York, tuk-tuks in Tangier, underwater wrecks in the Med – to keep people satisfied.
Recreating the aesthetics of an Indy movie impressively, Mangold calls it the “chance of a lifetime” to work with Spielberg, who remains an executive producer.
And Ford – how does he feel now he’s hanging up that fedora?
“I have had the very good fortune of working with the old school,” he says. “But the story of my career is about how much there is to learn … and how many great teachers are out there.”
Spoken like a wise old Indy.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is out now
Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
TRAINING FOR TOKYO
A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:
- Four swim sessions (14km)
- Three bike sessions (200km)
- Four run sessions (45km)
- Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
- One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
- Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.
Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Gender pay parity on track in the UAE
The UAE has a good record on gender pay parity, according to Mercer's Total Remuneration Study.
"In some of the lower levels of jobs women tend to be paid more than men, primarily because men are employed in blue collar jobs and women tend to be employed in white collar jobs which pay better," said Ted Raffoul, career products leader, Mena at Mercer. "I am yet to see a company in the UAE – particularly when you are looking at a blue chip multinationals or some of the bigger local companies – that actively discriminates when it comes to gender on pay."
Mr Raffoul said most gender issues are actually due to the cultural class, as the population is dominated by Asian and Arab cultures where men are generally expected to work and earn whereas women are meant to start a family.
"For that reason, we see a different gender gap. There are less women in senior roles because women tend to focus less on this but that’s not due to any companies having a policy penalising women for any reasons – it’s a cultural thing," he said.
As a result, Mr Raffoul said many companies in the UAE are coming up with benefit package programmes to help working mothers and the career development of women in general.
THE%20HOLDOVERS
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UAE%20Warriors%20fight%20card
%3Cp%3EMain%20Event%0D%3A%20Catchweight%20165lb%0D%3Cbr%3EMartun%20Mezhulmyan%20(ARM)%20v%20Acoidan%20Duque%20(ESP)%0D%3Cbr%3ECo-Main%20Event%0D%3A%20Bantamweight%0D%3Cbr%3EFelipe%20Pereira%20(BRA)%20v%20Azamat%20Kerefov%20(RUS)%0D%3Cbr%3EMiddleweight%0D%3Cbr%3EMohamad%20Osseili%20(LEB)%20v%20Amir%20Fazli%20(IRN)%0D%3Cbr%3ECatchweight%20161%20lb%0D%3Cbr%3EZhu%20Rong%20(CHI)%20vs.%20Felipe%20Maia%20(BRA)%0D%3Cbr%3ECatchweight%20176%20lb%0D%3Cbr%3EHandesson%20Ferreira%20(BRA)%20vs.%20Ion%20Surdu%20(MDA)%0D%3Cbr%3ECatchweight%20168%20lb%0D%3Cbr%3EArtur%20Zaynukov%20(RUS)%20v%20Sargis%20Vardanyan%20(ARM)%0D%3Cbr%3EFeatherweight%0D%3Cbr%3EIlkhom%20Nazimov%20(UZB)%20v%20Khazar%20Rustamov%20(AZE)%0D%3Cbr%3EBantamweight%0D%3Cbr%3EJalal%20Al%20Daaja%20(JOR)%20v%20Mark%20Alcoba%20(PHI)%0D%3Cbr%3ELightweight%0D%3Cbr%3EJakhongir%20Jumaev%20(UZB)%20v%20Dylan%20Salvador%20(FRA)%0D%3Cbr%3ECatchweight%20143%20lb%0D%3Cbr%3EHikaru%20Yoshino%20(JPN)%20v%20Djamal%20Rustem%20(TUR)%0D%3Cbr%3EFeatherweight%0D%3Cbr%3EJavohir%20Imamov%20(UZB)%20v%20Ulan%20Tamgabaev%20(KAZ)%0D%3Cbr%3ECatchweight%20120%20lb%0D%3Cbr%3ELarissa%20Carvalho%20(BRA)%20v%20Elin%20Oberg%20(SWE)%0D%3Cbr%3ELightweight%0D%3Cbr%3EHussein%20Salem%20(IRQ)%20v%20Arlan%20Faurillo%20(PHI)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20end%20of%20Summer
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Salha%20Al%20Busaidy%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPages%3A%20316%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPublisher%3A%20The%20Dreamwork%20Collective%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (Turf) 1,000m
7.40pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (D) 2,200m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
10pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
WORLD CUP FINAL
England v South Africa
Yokohama International Stadium, Tokyo
Saturday, kick-off 1pm (UAE)
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
THE LOWDOWN
Romeo Akbar Walter
Rating: 2/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Robby Grewal
Cast: John Abraham, Mouni Roy, Jackie Shroff and Sikandar Kher
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
World Cup warm up matches
May 24 Pakistan v Afghanistan, Bristol; Sri Lanka v South Africa, Cardiff
May 25 England v Australia, Southampton; India v New Zealand, The Oval
May 26 South Africa v West Indies, Bristol; Pakistan v Bangladesh, Cardiff
May 27 Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton; England v Afghanistan, The Oval
May 28 West Indies v New Zealand, Bristol; Bangladesh v India, Cardiff
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'Young girls thinking of big ideas'
Words come easy for aspiring writer Afra Al Muhairb. The business side of books, on the other hand, is entirely foreign to the 16-year-old Emirati. So, she followed her father’s advice and enroled in the Abu Dhabi Education Council’s summer entrepreneurship course at Abu Dhabi University hoping to pick up a few new skills.
“Most of us have this dream of opening a business,” said Afra, referring to her peers are “young girls thinking of big ideas.”
In the three-week class, pupils are challenged to come up with a business and develop an operational and marketing plan to support their idea. But, the learning goes far beyond sales and branding, said teacher Sonia Elhaj.
“It’s not only about starting up a business, it’s all the meta skills that goes with it -- building self confidence, communication,” said Ms Elhaj. “It’s a way to coach them and to harness ideas and to allow them to be creative. They are really hungry to do this and be heard. They are so happy to be actually doing something, to be engaged in creating something new, not only sitting and listening and getting new information and new knowledge. Now they are applying that knowledge.”
Afra’s team decided to focus their business idea on a restaurant modelled after the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Each level would have a different international cuisine and all the meat would be halal. The pupils thought of this after discussing a common problem they face when travelling abroad.
“Sometimes we find the struggle of finding halal food, so we just eat fish and cheese, so it’s hard for us to spend 20 days with fish and cheese,” said Afra. “So we made this tower so every person who comes – from Africa, from America – they will find the right food to eat.”
rpennington@thenational.ae
