Baz Luhrmann's Elvis was shown at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday, with stars of the biopic and Elvis Presley's family members in attendance.
Tom Hanks and Austin Butler, who play Colonel Tom Parker and Presley, walked the red carpet. They were joined by Priscilla Presley, the late singer's ex-wife, who has enthusiastically endorsed Luhrmann's movie.
Also in attendance at the glittering event were Kaia Gerber (Butler's girlfriend), Winnie Harlow, Natasha Poly, Conor McGregor, Casey Affleck, Kylie Minogue and Shakira. The evening wrapped with a light show set to some of Elvis' biggest hits.
The film, which is due to be released in UAE cinemas on June 23, shines a light on the singer's long and tortured relationship with his manager, Col Parker.
Luhrmann, who has directed and co-written the film, is known for his musical masterpieces, including Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby.
Olivia De Jonge stars as Priscilla in the biopic, while Richard Roxburgh plays the singer's father Vernon Presley, and Kelvin Harrison Jr and David Wenham take on the roles of musicians BB King and Hank Snow.
Elvis lookalike in Cannes
The King of Rock 'n' Roll died 45 years ago, but Elvis fever was alive in Cannes on Wednesday, as fans delighted at seeing an impersonator stroll down the resort city's famed promenade, La Croisette.
The Elvis lookalike, whose real name is Eryl Prayer, was in town to celebrate the premiere of Luhrmann's biopic.
Fans of Elvis, some of whom were angling for a ticket for the film, were stopping Prayer for selfies and kissing him on the cheek.
Prayer said he first listened to the Jailhouse Rock singer's music when he was in his teens and enjoys returning to his youth through the hitmaker.
"Thanks to Elvis and through him, I bring happiness to people. The image of Elvis withstands the test of time, it's impressive," he told Reuters as he ambled through the French Riviera town.
Luhrmann's film, a top festival draw, stars Austin Butler as the musician and Tom Hanks as Presley's enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
Speaking to one superfan, Prayer said he was glad the film was made because it will bring Elvis and his music to younger generations.
— Additional reporting by Reuters
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
MIDWAY
Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULTS
Mumbai Indians 181-4 (20 ovs)
Kolkata Knight Riders 168-6 (20ovs)
Mumbai won by 13 runs
Rajasthan Royals 152-9 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 155-4 (18.4 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab won by 6 wickets
