Saudi film ‘Mandoob’ to have its US premiere at the Palm Springs International Film Festival
Saudi film ‘Mandoob’ to have its US premiere at the Palm Springs International Film Festival/node/2437066/lifestyle
Saudi film ‘Mandoob’ to have its US premiere at the Palm Springs International Film Festival
‘Mandoob’ by Ali Kalthami (left) screened at this month’s Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia and premiered at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. (Getty Images)
Saudi film ‘Mandoob’ to have its US premiere at the Palm Springs International Film Festival
Updated 06 January 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: The dark comedic crime thriller “Mandoob,” supported by the Red Sea Film Foundation, will have its US premiere at the 35th Palm Springs International Film Festival this week.
The movie has been on top of the Saudi box office for three consecutive weeks, the Red Sea Film Foundation said on Instagram on Saturday.
Directed by Saudi filmmaker, writer and producer Ali Kalthami, the movie is set in Riyadh and tells the story of Fahad Al-Gadaani, a mentally fragile man racing against time to save his sick father.
Al-Gadaani’s life takes an unexpected turn when he is fired from his call center job and is forced to make ends meet by working as a delivery driver.
REVIEW: ‘Astro Bot’ sets new standards for platformer games
Updated 03 November 2024
James Denselow
LONDON: “Astro Bot,” one of Sony’s flagship titles for the PlayStation 5, raises the bar for 3D platform games.
Positioned as a competitor to well-known characters such as Mario and Sonic, this game delivers a delightful, imaginative experience, brimming with vibrant levels, innovative mechanics, and a healthy dose of nostalgia that will appeal to younger players and longtime PlayStation fans.
The storyline is simple but leaves plenty of room for the player’s imagination. You play as Astro, a charming robot hero on a mission to rescue his fellow bots scattered across various galaxies after an attack on their spaceship. While the narrative is not groundbreaking, it serves its purpose well, keeping the focus on the gameplay.
“Astro Bot” is designed to engage players of all ages. With a 7-plus age rating, it’s accessible to a wide audience — my 4-year-old, for example, finds it captivating. The game offers about nine hours of playtime for those focused on the main story, with closer to 17 hours for completionists seeking out bonus areas and treasure.
Visually, “Astro Bot” shines. Across six distinct galaxies and more than 80 creatively designed levels, players will explore tropical paradises, icy landscapes and futuristic environments, each packed with charm and variety. The level design ensures the game stays fresh throughout, keeping players engaged.
One of the game’s standout features is its exceptional use of the PS5’s Dual Sense controller. Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers make Astro’s movements feel more immersive than ever. New gadgets and abilities, like animal-themed power-ups, are seamlessly integrated into the gameplay, adding depth and variety. The way the game maximizes the controller’s features makes every jump, glide and gadget interaction feel responsive and exciting.
“Astro Bot” is also a treasure trove for PlayStation history enthusiasts. With more than 150 iconic characters to collect — like PaRappa the Rapper, Kratos from “God of War” and Nathan Drake from “Uncharted” — the game taps into nostalgia that will bring a smile to long-time fans.
Accompanied by a playful soundtrack composed by Kenny C.M. Young, which is available on platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music, the overall experience is joyful and engaging.
In short, “Astro Bot” is a must-play for PS5 owners. It provides fun for all ages and sets a new benchmark for platforming games.
‘I always compete with myself’: Yasmine Sabri shares insights at Hia Hub in Riyadh
Updated 03 November 2024
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: In a session at lifestyle conference Hia Hub, Egyptian actress Yasmine Sabri opened up about her life beyond the glitz and glamour of her career. Known for her on screen talent, Sabri took the opportunity to share lesser-known insights about her personal journey, her inspirations, and her views on self-improvement.
Hia Hub is taking place in Riyadh’s JAX district and featured discussions, masterclasses, workshops, interactive exhibitions and live performances. The event wraps up on Nov. 3.
Sabri recounted her dedication to swimming, a passion she pursued until the age of 18. (AN Photo/ Huda Bashatah)
During her talk, Sabri, who has a series of blockbuster Arabic films under her belt and is also a global brand ambassador for French label Cartier, expressed her admiration for Saudi women.
“They embody a spirit of determination that inspires me,” the 36-year-old remarked, before reflecting on her formative years.
Sabri recounted her dedication to swimming, a passion she pursued until the age of 18. “Swimming taught me discipline,” she said. “I used to swim before school and after at night, and we didn’t have the option to say, ‘I don’t want to.’” This commitment not only shaped her physical abilities but also instilled a strong work ethic that she carries into her acting career, she said.
Mental fortitude also emerged as a key topic during the discussion. Sabri emphasized the importance of competing with oneself, stating, “I’m grateful and I always compete with myself on a daily basis. One should always stay hungry and be competitive with oneself.”
The actress kicked off her career in 2013 and went on to star in such films as “Abo Nasab” and “El Diesel.” (AN Photo/ Huda Bashatah)
The actress kicked off her career in 2013 and went on to star in such films as “Abo Nasab” and “El Diesel.”
Often spotted on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet, as well as at film festivals across the Middle East, the actress is known for her style and her makeup. The actress told the crowd at Hia Hub she is preparing to segway into entrepreneurship with the launch of her own beauty brand, Pose Beauty.
Although details about the brand are being kept under wraps, Sabri would join the likes of Lebanese actress Nadine Nassib Njeim who launched her eponymous beauty brand in May.
KARACHI: Thousands of men, women and children, both Hindus and Muslims, gathered on Friday at the 234-year-old Shri Swaminarayan temple in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi to celebrate one of the biggest Hindu festivals, Diwali.
Diwali honors the victorious return of Lord Rama, one of Hinduism’s most revered figures, from exile and was celebrated in various parts of the world either on Thursday or Friday.
It is also known as the festival of lights to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness, or good over evil, explaining why fireworks are so central to the Diwali celebrations.
The Swaminarayan temple, situated in the Serai Quarters area, is not only frequented by Hindus living in the neighborhood, but members of the community from elsewhere in the bustling megapolis too.
“Diwali is a festival of happiness, a festival of lights. Our lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile. His wife Sita and his [younger] brother Laxman were also with him, who stood by him,” Hansa Rani, an academic, told Arab News, lighting up small oil lamps, called ‘diyas,’ to welcome their Lord.
“We celebrate their return with happiness [on Diwali], wear new clothes, distribute sweets and make rangoli [in which] we decorate our floor with colors.”
A Hindu woman and a young girl hold clay-lamps during a ceremony to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, at Somi Narin temple, in Karachi on November 1, 2024. (AP)
One of the most prominent Hindu festivals, Diwali is celebrated across the globe wherever the community resides. Devotees light up their homes and workplaces to signify light over darkness.
The festivities span over the course of five days, starting with ‘Dhanteras,’ that marks the first day of Diwali, followed by ‘Naraka Chaturdashi’ [Choti Diwali], Diwali, ‘Govardhan Puja’ and Bhai Dooj. Each day has different rituals and significance.
Pakistani Hindu women celebrate 'Diwali', the festival of lights, at the Krishna Temple in Lahore on November 1, 2024. (AFP)
“We are here to celebrate Diwali. As you can see, how happy these people are. There is one festival in the entire year during which we have mithai (sweetmeats), worship, light diyas, and meet our relatives,” Gauri Dara, who was at the temple with her family, told Arab News, on the sidelines of the celebrations.
“On this day, our cousins from other cities come to meet us too. We celebrate Diwali together.”
Children light firecrackers during 'Diwali' festival celebrations in Karachi on November 1, 2024. (AFP)
Muslims, who attended the celebrations at the Swaminarayan temple, said they had come to stand in solidarity with their Hindu brothers and sisters and share their happiness on the joyous occasion.
“[Despite] being a Muslim, I come here every year since the past 10 years in fact. I love the fact that we get to celebrate Diwali with our Hindu community every year because I have a lot of Hindu friends in Pakistan,” Qasim Shafique, a senior television news producer, told Arab News.
“Our flag also represents [minorities]. The white part in the [Pakistani] flag is for minorities. So, I come to celebrate that every year. I’ll meet all my Hindu friends here and we will enjoy the festivities together.”
Hia Hub session highlights vital role of pharmacies in Saudi Arabia’s growing skincare market
Updated 02 November 2024
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: Industry leaders discussed the evolving role of pharmacies in skincare during a session at Hia Hub, Saudi Arabia’s fashion, beauty and lifestyle conference, held in Riyadh’s JAX District from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3.
The session, titled “Re-Defining the Pharmacy Channels in Skincare,” brought together prominent figures, including Charlotte Devaux, general manager of wellness and masstige, Pierre Juhen, group president of Patyka, Mahmoud Mamdouh, CEO of Whites Pharmacy, and Cynthia Kattar, editorial director of Hia Magazine.
Mamdouh emphasized the pivotal role of trust in pharmacy skincare. He said: “When discussing pharmacies and skincare, the main concept is trust.”
(AN/ Huda Bashatah)
Over the past 15 years, pharmacies have cultivated strong relationships with customers, who often turn to pharmacists for personalized skincare consultations, he said.
Devaux added to the discussion by highlighting social media’s impact on consumer behavior.
(AN/ Huda Bashatah)
She said that while platforms such as TikTok and Instagram offered abundant information, consumers still preferred advice from trusted pharmacists. “Wellness has become a priority for consumers, driving the growth of skincare,” she said. “This reliance on pharmacies as credible sources of information and products is crucial in a marketplace filled with conflicting messages.”
Juhen elaborated on the expansive reach of pharmacies. In Saudi Arabia, there are about 6,000 pharmacy locations, compared to 20,000 in France, he said.
(AN/ Huda Bashatah)
He said that this dynamic retail channel had shown resilience, even during challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, where the pharmacy segment in France experienced growth of 4 percent.
Juhen highlighted the universal appeal of pharmacies and said: “Everyone visits pharmacies, regardless of age or socioeconomic status,” making them essential points of contact in the community.
The session concluded with a consensus among the speakers on the importance of pharmacies in the skincare sector. As trusted providers of personalized advice and quality products, pharmacies were well-positioned to lead the growth of skincare, they said.
Looking great: Skincare in the spotlight at Hia Hub
Updated 01 November 2024
Hams Saleh
DUBAI: Hia Hub, Saudi Arabia’s conference for fashion, beauty and lifestyle, returned this week for its fourth edition in Riyadh’s JAX district, featuring discussions, masterclasses, workshops, interactive exhibitions and live performances.
Among the highlights were several appearances by Patrick Chalhoub, president of Chalhoub Group, where he and the guest speakers discussed the latest developments in the skincare industry as part of “The Skincare Edition: Unfiltered” summit.
“The whole idea of the summit is to take our visitors — be it professionals, skincare lovers, or customers who don’t have enough knowledge — through different experiences,” Chalhoub told Arab News ahead of the event.
“They get to diagnose their skin, so they know which areas to focus on, but in a playful way, where people come and engage in all these different experiences, each one brought by a different brand. They’ll learn more in a non-commercial way, almost like a discovery game.”
Speaking about the skincare landscape in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region, Chalhoub said he had noticed different trends among younger and older consumers.
“The more mature group, I would say, tends to be quite traditional in their skincare habits. They prefer brands they know and trust more than anything,” he said.
“Although mature women are the ones who might benefit more from extensive skincare routines, they tend to use fewer products that target specific needs.”
By comparison, people under 30, including men, were “much more conscious of their wellness,” Chalhoub said.
“They use skincare products more frequently and are willing to experiment with innovative products, even with brands that are not necessarily very popular.
“They read more. They are more curious and adventurous, which is why South Korean and Japanese brands, even though they’re not that well known here yet, are making a strong impact in the region.
“Asia has such a big skincare market, with a lot of laboratory research,” he said.
Chalhoub also discussed how climate and culture can influence people’s skincare habits.
“For example, in the Gulf region in general and Saudi Arabia in particular, we know the sun here is very strong. So, sunscreen and products that protect against sun-related damage are essential here.”
People also used more moisturizers to ease the irritation of sun-dried skin, he said.
Chalhoub said that while he believed an era of homegrown skincare products could be on the horizon, it was not an easy industry to break into.
“There is a certain level of research and professionalism required in order to be able to do it,” he said.
“It’s not just about creating packaging and making it attractive, you really need to make sure that the product contains high-quality ingredients. Entering the skincare market will always be more complex.”
