Stirring Cinema and Engaging Conversation at DIFF's Fourth Day

Rob Reiner, Sverrir Gudnason, Ser’Darius Blain and Madison Iseman grace the Madinat red carpets
Madinat Souk abuzz during Q&A with Morgan Spurlock, Jeremy Chilnick and Matthew Galkin

Dubai, 10 December 2017:  Saturday at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) showcased works of adventure and action, beginning with the political drama ‘Shock and Awe’ from Academy Award-nominated actor, writer, producer and director Rob Reiner, at the Madinat Arena. The afternoon gala followed, bringing with it family fun as castmates Ser’Darius Blain and Madison Iseman attended the screening of ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’.  

Over at the Souk Madinat Theatre, doors opened with the wondrous journey of ‘Ana and Bruno’. Audiences were then taken courtside with the afternoon screening of ‘Borg vs. McEnroe’, with actor Sverrir Gudnason in attendance. 

Shining a spotlight on the importance of the art of scriptwriting, the Forum at the Dubai Film Market (DFM) held ‘The Writer’s Room’, presented in partnership with the British Council and the British Film Institute. Tutor and Script Consultant, Ludo Smolski gave insight into the key skills needed to master the script development process.

In the evening, the music continued at THE BEACH, as British-Tunisian filmmaker Claire Belhassine’s ‘The Man behind the Microphone’ screened alongside a spirited live performance, whilst back at the Souk, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Morgan Spurlock’s latest documentary, ‘Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!’ screened to a packed house. The film presentation was followed by an extended Q&A session with Spurlock himself, his co-writer and producer Jeremy Chilnick, and producer Matthew Galkin. 

Closing the curtain on day four at the Arena was the much celebrated, ‘The Disaster Artist’, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Tommy Wiseau’s ‘The Room’ from 2003. The Souk closed with Muhr competition feature, ‘The Journey’, attended by award-winning Iraqi filmmaker Mohamed Jabrah Al-Daradji and actor Ameer Jbara.  

Saturday at the Festival also explored the world of fashion, as BAFTA and Academy Award-winning designer Alexandra Byrne spoke about her distinguished career, including some of the most iconic screen costumes in recent times, and her latest work on the Agatha Christie film adaptation, ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ (2017).