“I never win,” sighs Kurdwin Ayub, the Iraqi-born, Austrian filmmaker whose new movie Mond (Moon) is playing in competition this week at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah. Perhaps that sounds defeatist, but even getting an independent movie made is a victory by most standards.
Ayub faced difficulties with her first feature in 2022. Sonne (Sun) tells the story of a Kurdish teen, Yesmin, born in Vienna to Iraqi parents, whose religious and cultural identity is tested when a video she makes with her non-Muslim friends goes viral.
Sonne won Ayub a Best First Feature award at the Berlin Film Festival. “Sun is about the migrant girl with her Kurdish family, from her perspective, living life in Austria and Moon is the other way around,” explains Ayub, who admits she experienced “threatening” hate-mail from Islamic extremists in the aftermath of Sun’s release. And for Mond, about a female Austrian MMA fighter who comes to Jordan, she’s had complaints “from the woke leftists”, she says. “I make provocative films. It’s not easy stuff, and people always have to say something about that.”
Such is life when you’re a straight-shooting filmmaker attracted to controversial subject matter. “It’s not easy,” she tells The National. “At times everybody says, ‘yeah, you’re brave, you’re doing provocative stuff.’ But sometimes that’s hard because in that moment you get some hate.”
Perhaps it’s no surprise that she’s drawn fire given the company she keeps: Ayub’s film is produced by Ulrich Seidl, the Austrian provocateur behind the Paradise trilogy, Dog Days and Import Export.
In Moon, which grabbed a special jury prize when it premiered at the Locarno Film Festival earlier in the year, Florentina Holzinger plays Sarah, an MMA fighter who has just been defeated in her latest bout. Bloodied and battered, she retreats to lick her wounds. And when a job offer comes in from businessman Abdul (Omar Almajali), she accepts, heading to Amman where she’s installed in a slick-but-soulless hotel. Every day she’s driven to a luxury house on the outskirts, where she trains young siblings Nour (Andria Tayeh), Shaima (Nagham Abu Baker) and Fatima (Celina Antwan).
When Ayub introduced the movie to the Saudi audience on Wednesday evening, she proclaimed it to be “an unusual film”, a statement that it’s easy to be sceptical about. But even lifting the lid on the world of female MMA fighters is something rarely seen on screen. “I was interested in MMA because this sport is different than other martial arts,” says Ayub. “It's the toughest one.”
Still, the real rub comes when Sarah discovers that all is not as it seems with the shady family where she’s made to sign an NDA and not use social media when she’s with the sisters. What follows is an awakening as Sarah comes to realise these siblings need help in a hugely controlling patriarchal clan. “I just wanted her to trip over something which she’s not allowed to see,” says Ayub.
So what inspired this aspect of the screenplay? “There are some stories,” the director says, cautiously, before saying she can’t reveal her sources. “There are a lot of expats coming to rich families. I mean, you probably know that expats are living in these countries. And I found it interesting that the European person is coming and getting this money and seeing all that stuff and going away again. So it’s a phenomenon in our world, I think. And I wanted to show it.”
The film doesn’t just point the finger at Jordanian society. Early on, Sarah is hanging with her ignorant Austrian friends, who are incredulous that she might spend time in a society where “oppressed” women wear hijabs. I wonder what she thought the Saudi audience last night might think of that exchange. “I hope they see racist Austrians, right?”
One of the things that really impresses in Moon is the casting. Holzinger is so good, complete with a cauliflower ear (all make-up, I am assured), that it’s easy to believe that she’s a genuine MMA fighter.
“It's a passion of mine, that it has to be real,” Ayub explains. “And the cast is good, because we do a lot of improvisation. I wanted to have the most special women and men for the characters of the family. We all know each other, trust each other, because they are also a big influence on the story.”
Ayub also took inspiration from Seidl and his wife Veronika Franz, who recently co-directed acclaimed period horror The Devil’s Bath, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year. “Ulrich was really free. He let me do whatever I want,” she says.
The real question is how will the film play in Jordan? She hopes Moon will screen at the Amman International Film Festival. How does she feel people there will react?
“I don’t know,” she sighs, again. “The progressive people would really love it, the conservative probably not.”
Mond screens at the Red Sea International Film Festival on Saturday at 10pm
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Results
2pm: Handicap Dh 90,000 1,800m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.30pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m; Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
3pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m; Winner: Thegreatcollection, Adrie de Vries, Doug Watson.
4pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Oktalgano, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.30pm: Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m; Winner: Madame Ellingtina, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
5pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Mystery Land, Fabrice Veron, Helal Al Alawi.
5.30pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m; Winner: Shanaghai City, Jesus Rosales, Rashed Bouresly.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
If you go
The Flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.
The trip
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
RESULTS
Argentina 4 Haiti 0
Peru 2 Scotland 0
Panama 0 Northern Ireland 0
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
Name: Ayisha Abdulrahman Gareb
Age: 57
From: Kalba
Occupation: Mukrema, though she washes bodies without charge
Favourite things to do: Visiting patients at the hospital and give them the support they need.
Role model: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
Quick%20facts
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Stage 5 results
1 Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 3:48:53
2 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team -
3 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott -
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:00:04
5 Ilnur Zakarin (RUS) CCC Team 0:00:07
General Classification:
1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 20:35:04
2 Tadej Pogacar (SlO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:01
3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team 0:01:33
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:01:48
5 Rafał Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:02:11
Hales' batting career
Tests 11; Runs 573; 100s 0; 50s 5; Avg 27.38; Best 94
ODIs 58; Runs 1,957; 100s 5; 50s 11; Avg 36.24; Best 171
T20s 52; Runs 1,456; 100s 1; 50s 7; Avg 31.65; Best 116 not out
THE SPECS
Engine: AMG-enhanced 3.0L inline-6 turbo with EQ Boost and electric auxiliary compressor
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 429hp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh360,200 (starting)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULT
Manchester United 2 Burnley 2
Man United: Lingard (53', 90' 1)
Burnley: Barnes (3'), Defour (36')
Man of the Match: Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)
The five pillars of Islam
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba
The story in numbers
18
This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens
450,000
More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps
1.5 million
There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m
73
The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association
18,000
The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme
77,400
The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study
4,926
This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
