TRAILBLAZERS: Nabila Al-Bassam — groundbreaking Saudi artist and gallery owner
Updated 29 February 2024
Rawaa Talass
DUBAI: The first in this year’s series highlighting pioneering female artists from the Arab world in honor of Women’s History Month.
The life of Saudi artist, teacher, traveler and gallery owner Nabila Al-Bassam is as multilayered as her detailed textile collage works. Al-Bassam was born in India, where her family had previously established business ties. She lived there for 17 years and was educated in Mumbai before going on to the American University of Beirut, one of the Arab world’s top learning institutions.
Al-Bassam, who is now based in Alkhobar, graduated with a Master’s degree in education in 1968. She then headed to the US, where she learned how to work with paper, textiles, silkscreen printing and ceramics. Returning to her home country in the late Seventies, Al-Bassam established the Arab Heritage Gallery, reportedly one of the first gallery spaces to open in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia.
One of Nabila Al-Bassam's textile works on show at the Diriyah Biennale. (Courtesy of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation)
A selection of her colorful pieces from the Nineties are now being shown for the first time at the Diriyah Biennale in Riyadh, where co-curator Wejdan Reda told Arab News: “She realized that she wanted to create a space dedicated to art. She was very interested in preserving the crafts and knowledge behind textile making.” That led Al-Bassam to travel around the country for many years, which was uncommon for a woman at the time.
On her travels, Al-Bassam was inspired by both the scenery and the people. She met local craftswomen and collected a variety of materials, including silver beads, traditional dress cloths and old fabrics, which she later incorporated into her textile canvases. She was also inspired by the traditional sadu weaving technique, which features symmetrical patterns of triangles and diamonds, often colored in red, black, brown and white.
Many of Al-Bassam’s woven pieces, some of which have been showcased in international auction houses including Sotheby’s and Phillips, are an homage to the mountainous, palm-tree-lined Saudi landscape. Rows of cloth are stacked on top of one another, forming a colorful orchestra of hills or dunes that accommodate little houses and imposing, patterned towers.
ISLAMABAD: As the world prepares to bid farewell to an eventful 2024 and welcome the new year, here is a list of five Pakistani women who shattered stereotypes and made history by dominating in their respective fields ranging from politics to mountaineering, and sports to music.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif
Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the daughter of three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, made history in February after she was elected as the first woman chief minister of a Pakistani province.
This handout photograph taken and released by the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) of Punjab province on February 26, 2024, shows Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman (C) administer oath to the newly elected Chief Minister of Punjab province Maryam Nawaz Sharif (2R) during a ceremony, as Pakistan's former Prime Ministers and leader of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) party Nawaz Sharif (R) and his brother Shehbaz Sharif (2L) look on at the Governor's House in Lahore. (Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) of Punjab province / AFP)
After her Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party won the highest number of seats after a contentious election in February, Sharif was elected as the chief minister of the country’s richest and most populous Punjab province.
She formally joined politics in 2012 and became increasingly involved in politics during her father’s four-year, self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2023. In 2019, she was appointed vice president of the PML-N, leading anti-government rallies throughout the country against then prime minister Imran Khan’s government.
Political opponents and critics, however, say her election to the chief minister’s post is an example of the enduring influence of feudal politics in Pakistan.
Ayla Majid
In November, Ayla Majid became the first South Asian and Muslim to be elected president of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), a global accountancy body.
Majid is the chief executive officer of a firm that advises on decarbonization, sustainability, and energy transition. Majid is leading more than 252,500 members and 526,000 future members of ACCA across 180 countries during her year-long term in office.
Global Vice President of ACCA and Founder & CEO of Planetive, AylaMajid, attends Business Summit 2023 in Islamabad on May 31, 2023. (Ayla Majid)
She has over 20 years of experience in energy, transaction advisory, mergers and acquisitions, investments and corporate governance. Majid holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of London.
Arooj Aftab
Pakistani singer Arooj Aftab earned Grammy nominations for the fourth time in a row in November. Her single “Raat Ki Rani” earned a nomination in the Best Global Music Performance, category while her album, “Night Reign” has earned a nomination for the Best Alternative Jazz Album category.
Arooj Aftab attends 'A New York Evening With Arooj Aftab' at The Greene Space in New York City on October 4, 2024. (AFP)
This category honors vocal or instrumental albums where new alternative jazz recordings comprise more than 75 percent of the playing time.
In 2022, Aftab became the first Pakistani singer to win a Grammy for her song ‘Mohabbat’ in the Best Global Music Performance category.
Naila Kiani
In May, Dubai-based mountaineer Naila Kiani became the first Pakistani woman to summit Mount Makalu, the fifth-highest mountain in the world. The tremendous achievement also brought another feather to Kiani’s cap, as it made her the first and only Pakistani woman to summit 11 out of 14 mountains that stand 8,000 meters above sea level.
The picture shared by Naila Kiani on November 16, 2023, shows the climber ascending Mount Nanga Parbat in northern Pakistan. (Naila Kiani)
Kiani had previously summited Broad Peak (8,047 meters), Annapurna (8,091 meters), K2 (8,611 meters), Lhotse (8,516 meters), Gasherbrum 1 (8,068 meters), Gasherbrum II (8,035 meters), Nanga Parbat (8,125 meters), Mount Everest (8,849 meters), Manaslu (8,156 meters) and Cho Oyu (8,201 meters) mountains.
The mother of two, who is also a banker by profession, garnered fame in 2018 after her wedding photos from K2’s base camp were widely shared on social media. She is also a recipient of the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s third-highest civilian award, which she received in March 2024 for climbing Mount Everest.
Saleema Imtiaz
Saleema Imtiaz became the first Pakistani woman to be nominated to the International Cricket Council’s International Panel of Development Umpires in September. The nomination qualifies Imtiaz, 52, to officiate in women’s bilateral international matches and ICC Women’s Events.
Saleema Imtiaz holds a souvenir awarded for becoming Pakistan's first woman umpire on ICC International Development Panel in Multan, Pakistan, on September 17, 2024. (@TheRealPCB/X)
Imtiaz, mother of Pakistan women’s international player Kainat Imtiaz, began her umpiring career with the Pakistan Cricket Board Women’s Umpires Panel in 2008. Her extensive experience includes officiating in high-profile events under the Asian Cricket Council such as the 2022 and 2024 ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup and the 2023 ACC Emerging Women’s Cup in Hong Kong.
Italian stars Ludovico Einaudi, Matteo Bocelli to perform at AlUla in January
The two performances are the latest in the AlUla Moments Concert Series
Updated 30 December 2024
Arab News
ALULA: Two Italian musical stars will perform in Saudi Arabia next month as part of the AlUla Moments Concert Series, it was confirmed on Monday.
Internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi, who will take the stage on Jan. 17, is celebrated for blending classical and contemporary styles during his career which has spanned four decades.
Musical legend, Ludovico Einaudi, is performing at #Maraya on 17 Jan during #AlUla Arts Festival. Join us for this exclusive concert and experience the captivating fusion of classical, minimalist and contemporary music in an intimate setting like no other. #AlUlaMoments
He has previously performed at some of the world’s most iconic venues, including Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Sydney Opera House.
Einaudi’s compositions have earned him numerous awards and multiple platinum certifications.
A week later, on Jan. 24, the spotlight will shine on Matteo Bocelli, the rising Italian tenor and youngest son of legendary opera star Andrea Bocelli, who will perform as part of his debut headline world tour.
Experience the incredible voice of Matteo Bocelli, a force in the world of classical and contemporary music, as he performs during #AlUla Arts Festival. The exclusive concert will take place at #Maraya on 24 Jan. #AlUlaMoments
The two performances are the latest in the Concert Series, which have included Bocelli senior in April 2021, John Legend in November 2022 and Alicia Keys in February 2023.
Tickets for both performances are expected to sell quickly, and can be bought at this link.
Robbie Williams is here to entertain you with ‘Better Man’
Updated 30 December 2024
Karishma Nandkeolyar
DUBAI: “I want to be the best entertainer on the planet next year,” British singer-songwriter Robbie Williams said ahead of the UAE premiere of his biographical musical “Better Man” on Sunday.
And he is certainly making inroads on that resolution — fresh off a gig at Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Nights concert series, and before he hits the stage on the Robbie Williams Live 2025 tour across Europe, Williams sat down to discuss the Michael Gracey-directed film in Dubai.
It is a raw look at Williams’ life — his early showbiz years as a part of the Take That crew, his battle with addiction and family issues before settling down.
In the film, helmed by Gracey of “The Greatest Showman” fame, Williams is played by a CGI-generated monkey in an otherwise human cast. It was a creative gamble by the director, who previously said that the decision was inspired by conversations with Williams where he described himself as a performing monkey, according to the BBC.
“Well, I think that I would like to see myself as a lion, but I’m not. I’m cheeky and I’m silly, and I’m irreverent and I’m naughty, and I’m not alpha. I am a monkey. There’s vulnerability in monkeys, in apes, simians; I think they’re more human than humans,” Williams said during a media roundtable attended by Arab News.
In the film, the chimp is played by Jonno Davies, but there is an element of Williams in it. “I was in a cage, and 150 cameras, or something like that, (pointed at) you. And they scanned me, and then I had to do 120 different facial expressions to a bunch of cameras in front of me, and then they took all of that information and overlaid it over Jonno, who plays me so brilliantly, and those are my eyes, and those are my expressions,” he said.
UK 50-year-old pop superstar Robbie Williams says “best thing about fame is that it gives me the chance to be successful.” (Supplied)
While the movie offers a warning of sorts about the pitfalls of fame, the “Let Me Entertain You” singer explained: “I’m addicted to success more than I’m addicted to fame. I excel in showmanship; it’s the rest of everything else I’m not very good at. So, fame gives me the opportunity to be successful, to write a great song, to have it translate into people’s hearts, but to do stadiums, too.
“But this brings with its own problems as well, because, you know, I’ve got so much wrapped up in being Robbie Williams. The best thing about fame is that it gives me the chance to be successful.”
The 50-year-old pop superstar has been candid about his struggles with addiction in the past — he was admitted to a rehabilitation center in the US in 2007 and spoke about his addiction to drugs and alcohol during the 1990s in a four-part Netflix documentary released in 2023.
Fatima Al-Banawi celebrates highlights ahead of January’s Joy Awards in Riyadh
Updated 29 December 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: After topping off a stellar 2024 by co-hosting the closing ceremony of the star-studded Red Sea Film Festival in December, Saudi director and actress Fatima Al-Banawi took to Instagram this week to share behind-the-scenes snafus that occurred before the event.
The star, who is nominated in the Best Film Director category at the upcoming Joy Awards in Riyadh, shared a carousel of photos taken during and after the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, including a poignant shot of her grandfather.
“I don’t know where the words came from, but truly behind every grand appearance there are dark nights, dim lights, a sudden illness, and a liver sandwich that drips a sauce on your dress. But what comforts us through all the moments of exhaustion and fatigue are the celebrations that unfold honoring the stories we tell. And above all that, the moment you return home and find your grandfather watching you on the television screen (sic),” she captioned the post.
Al-Banawi made her directorial debut with “Basma” this year and she is nominated for an award at the Joy Awards, set to be held on Jan. 18.
The Best Film Director nominees include Tarek Al-Eryan (“Welad Rizq 3: Elqadia”), Ali Al-Kalthami (“Night Courier”), Fatima Al-Banawi (“Basma”), and Moataz Al-Touni (“Ex Merati”).
“Basma” launched on Netflix in June and Al-Banawi not only directed the movie, but wrote it (and an original song for the soundtrack) and played the title role — a young Saudi woman who returns home to Jeddah after two years away studying in the States to find that her parents have divorced without telling her after struggling to deal with the mental illness of her father, the well-respected Dr. Adly.
“My undergrad is in psychology. My father’s a psychologist. My sister’s a psychologist. I have psychology and sociology in my DNA,” Al-Banawi told Arab News at the time of the film’s release. “We talk about Sigmund Freud over lunch, you know?”
And so, when she sat down to write her first feature, it was natural that she would choose mental health as its focus.
“Dissonance was a word I found when I started working on ‘Basma.’ I wasn’t familiar with this term: to be in a complete state of, not just denial, but not responding in any way — action or awareness — to what (is obvious),” she said. “I felt it around me everywhere; things that were brushed under the carpet for years and years until they piled up and a person or a family could not handle them anymore.”
Review: Award-winning ‘Moon’ comes out on top as a tense thriller
Updated 29 December 2024
Gautaman Bhaskaran
JEDDAH: Iraqi Austrian filmmaker Kurdwin Ayub seems to have found her niche telling stories of women in distress. While her debut fiction feature film, “Sonne,” was awarded the Best First Film Award at the 2022 Berlin International Film Festival, her latest, “Moon,” sees the director wade into similar territory.
After clinching the special jury prize at the 77th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, it played at the recent Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah — and to me it was one of the event's highlights.
“Moon” trails Sarah (Florentina Holzinger, who is quite good as a foreigner bewildered by her surroundings), an unhappy martial arts fighter, who having hit the dead end in her career, takes up an assignment with a wealthy Jordanian family whose shady dealings soon make her uneasy.
Asked to train three sisters after her humiliating defeat in the ring, Sarah grabs the chance, hoping to find a new beginning and earn back her respect. But what awaits her there is beyond her imagination — a household that is run with eerie brutality by the girls' brother in the absence of their parents. Sarah is frightened when things begin to spiral out of her control, and with the sisters' steely defiance toward any sort of regulated life, “Moon” plays out like a thriller and boxes us into a deadly climax.
Ayub specialises in filming the loss of freedom and examines how women struggle circumvent this. The sisters' trips to the mall seem like one way of tasting freedom — despite the watchful eye of a burly bodyguard — and the audience feels every bit as claustrophobic.
Unfortunately, there are pitfalls in the narrative with some of the protagonist’s actions going unexplained but what keeps the work flowing is the beautiful relationship among the sisters and how they ultimately come to trust their trainer.
