Raya Abirached is familiar to local movie fans as the face of MBC's Hollywood coverage, and Arabic cinema as host of her own show Scoop.
This weekend, however, Abirached takes a break from interviewing the stars of the silver screen and becomes one herself – she is the voice of Smurf Willow in the Arabic version of the Smurfs latest big screen outing, The Lost Village.
This is the TV presenter's second outing as a voice actress, having previously voiced Matilda in the Arabic version of last year's Angry Birds.
Even so, she says she doesn’t have any plans to make a full-time career switch. “I have always thought my talent was talking about Hollywood, not acting,” she says. “I don’t really think I have much talent as an actress, but voice acting is quite similar to what I do on television.
"It wasn't really a direction I planned to go in, but I really enjoyed myself when I voiced Matilda in Angry Birds, so I was happy to give it another go.
“And, who’s not a fan of the Smurfs?”
Abirached is a big fan of the little blue creatures and says the film has a special resonance for Arab viewers of her generation.
Dubbed in Arabic and titled Al Sanafer, the series was an afternoon staple for children across the region.
“They were huge in the Arab world when I was young, as it was one of the few shows back then that was actually broadcast in Arabic, not with subtitles, so it’s almost like a natural progression that I should end up voicing it years later,” she says.
There’s been an increasing trend in recent years, particularly with animated movies, for dubbed Arabic versions to be released simultaneously with the English original. It’s a trend Abirached welcomes, although she still believes there is a place for subtitles too.
“Dubbing works well with animated films, plus is nice for kids as they can engage with it more in a language they’re more familiar with,” she says.
“But I don’t think it needs to be either or because the subtitles help us learn English, so it’s good to have a good proportion of both and to give movie goers the choice of whether they want to see it in Arabic or English.”
As an avid Smurfs fan, it is no surprise that Abirached noticed that her character, Smurf Willow, does not follow the usual Smurf naming pattern of role/attribute Smurf, hence Brainy Smurf, Lazy Smurf, Papa Smurf.
We will have to see the movie to find out why and Abirached reveals there is a vital narrative reason for the unusual name. “I don’t want to give too much away but she’s part of a new breed of Smurfs that we discover in The Lost Village,” says Abirached.
“The Smurfs discover they’re not alone, and Smurf Willow comes along and really gives Papa Smurf a run for his money.
“That’s as much as I can divulge right now, but it’s quite exciting because we get to see the Smurfs in a different environment, there’s a refreshing twist and some exciting new characters that could be part of Smurf folklore for another 50 or 60 years.”
Abirached is also well-known to viewers as the co-host of the popular talent show, Arab's Got Talent, and with the latest series currently airing on MBC, she offers some hot tips for fans on who to look out for. "Everybody's talking about the first episode where they awarded the golden buzzer to this Moroccan folk singer [Imane Mustapha Chmiti]," she says.
“She was eight months pregnant at the auditions. I’ll never forget her. She’s got this voice that just gives you goosebumps and a wonderful personality and energy.
“She was really special and the highlight of my audition season.
“I can’t say what will happen when we go live, but she’s one that will stick in the panellists’ mind for sure. There’s really something very special about this girl.”
• Smurfs: The Lost Village is in cinemas from Thursday, March 30
artslife@thenational.ae
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km
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Civil%20War
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Last 10 NBA champions
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
The biog
Job: Fitness entrepreneur, body-builder and trainer
Favourite superhero: Batman
Favourite quote: We must become the change we want to see, by Mahatma Gandhi.
Favourite car: Lamborghini
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
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
MATCH DETAILS
Juventus 2 (Bonucci 36, Ronaldo 90 6)
Genoa 1 (Kouame 40)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
SPECS
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Dr Graham's three goals
Short term
Establish logistics and systems needed to globally deploy vaccines
Intermediate term
Build biomedical workforces in low- and middle-income nations
Long term
A prototype pathogen approach for pandemic preparedness
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
Brief scores:
Juventus 3
Dybala 6', Bonucci 17', Ronaldo 63'
Frosinone 0
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
Power 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
