Red Sea Film Foundation names interim CEO as Mohammed Al-Turki takes on advisory role
Updated 06 June 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: The Red Sea Film Foundation, which organizes the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, announced Mohammed Asseri as its interim CEO as Mohammed Al-Turki transitions from his post to an advisor role.
“Al-Turki will continue to support the leadership team while he returns to focus on personal projects and his career as an independent film producer and businessman,” it said. “The selection of a successor is underway and in the interim, former board member of the Red Sea Film Foundation Mohammed Asseri will step in as acting CEO of the foundation.”
The Red Sea Film Foundation, which organizes the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, announced Mohammed Asseri as its interim CEO. (Instagram)
“We celebrated a watershed moment in Cannes with the screening of “Norah,” which was a milestone both for the foundation and for Saudi cinema as a whole,” said Jomana Al-Rashid, chair of the Red Sea Film Foundation. “As we leave the Cannes Film Festival on a high, we look back at the past three years and the building blocks that have been worked on relentlessly by the team at Red Sea Film Foundation and share our gratitude for Mohammed Al-Turki who played a key role in leading the team and the Foundation to where it is today.”
Al-Rashid added: “We look forward to watching his career as one of Saudi’s most prominent film executives continue.”
Al-Turki, outgoing CEO of Red Sea Film Foundation, added: “Working with the Foundation on these three editions of the festival and cementing Saudi Arabia’s place on the global stage of the film industry has been an honour and a privilege. We have achieved so much, and ahead of our fourth edition—we are in a position we could only have dreamed of a few years ago—which is why I feel now is the perfect time to transition. I am grateful for the ties we have built as a team and will continue to support my Red Sea Film Foundation family led by the Chairwoman of the Foundation Jomana Alrashid and its Managing Director Shivani Pandya Malhotra.”
Since its inception, the Red Sea Film Foundation has supported more than 250 projects from Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
The storied auction house’s regional president says time is ‘undoubtedly right’ for expansion
Updated 12 sec ago
Rawaa Talass
DUBAI: The renowned auction house Christie’s is expanding its presence in the Middle East by opening a franchise in Riyadh, led by managing director Nour Kelani. This will be Christie’s second outpost in the region, following the 2005 opening of Christie’s Dubai, which has had a significant impact on the promotion of Arab art and creativity, both contemporary and modern.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Anthea Peers, Christie’s president, EMEA, explains why now is the time to expand the auction house’s activities in the Kingdom, which is experiencing a historic cultural boom.
“Christie’s has a longstanding presence in the Middle East, with deep-rooted relationships with Saudi Arabian collectors based both in the Kingdom and around the world,” Peers says. “In recent years, we have witnessed a considerable period of growth within the arts and culture sector — I have the privilege of visiting the Kingdom regularly and each time I am blown away by the passion, the ambition and the creative talent that I encounter — and the time is undoubtedly right for this expansion,” Peers says.
Ahmed Mater's 'Magnetism.' (Supplied)
An opening date has not yet been confirmed. “Having recently established our entity, we look forward to completing all necessary formalities and further extending our business in the Kingdom as soon as possible,” Peers says of the outpost that will be located in Riyadh Park.
In Saudi Arabia, Christie’s will focus on providing works of art by modern and contemporary Middle Eastern artists, as well as high-end jewelry and watches or other timepieces. They are also keen to engage with the Saudi youth and aspiring art collectors.
“Bearing in mind the high percentage of millennials in the Kingdom, it’s likely we will also continue to see an increase in engagement among this demographic for Arab artists, modern and contemporary art, as well as engagement with the secondary luxury sector,” says Peers.
Abdulnasser Gharem's 'Message-Messenger' is the most expensive piece by a Saudi artist to have been sold by Christie's to date, fetching $842,500 in 2011. (Supplied)
In recent years, several acclaimed Saudi artists have made a splash at Christie’s with notable artworks sold at high prices. “The market has been reinforced by strong biennials, gallery representations, and alongside key institutional shows both locally and internationally,” says Peers.
Saudi conceptual artist Abdulnasser Gharem’s golden-domed wood-and-copper installation piece “Message/Messenger” was sold at Christie’s for $842,500 in 2011 — the highest price fetched so far by a Saudi artist at the auction house. Manal AlDowayan, who represented the Kingdom at the Venice Biennale earlier this year, has a long-standing relationship with Christie’s, which most recently sold her work “Dove” — previously exhibited at the Venice biennale — for just over $15,000, more than three times its low estimate, having, Peers says, “attracted strong bidding from our established Middle East clients.”
Manal AlDowayan's 'Dove' sold for $15,120 earlier this year at Christie's. (Supplied)
Mid-career artist Ahmed Mater, whose multidisciplinary works were highlighted in a solo exhibition at Christie’s London this summer, has also sold pieces at well above estimated prices; his “Magnetism” triptych fetched £189,000 (around SAR935,000) at Christie’s London. Other emerging Saudi artists, such as Dana Awartani and Alia Ahmad, have also been highlighted at Christie’s.
“We have had passionate Saudi Arabian clients for many years with a wide range of interests ranging from Old Master paintings and modern and contemporary Middle Eastern art to fine watches and jewelry, among other categories,” Peers says. “We have seen increased interest in a number of Arab artists over the last three years including Saudi artists Ahmed Mater, Manal AlDowayan and Dana Awartani. There are active Saudi clients who are evolving and refining their own collections to include a mix of established and emerging Saudi artists.”
Christie’s opening in the Kingdom comes at a time when the domestic arts scene is flourishing, with new cultural initiatives, institutions, and festivals supporting Saudi artists as well as welcoming international names.
Dana Awartani's 'Icosahedron within a Dodecahedron' was sold for £35,000 at Christie's Dubai in 2023. (Supplied)
“We will be honored to support the burgeoning arts scene in Saudi Arabia as part of the ongoing national diversification efforts,” says Peers.
“We look forward to partnering with institutions and arts and culture organizations, hosting dedicated exhibitions, as well as supporting regional cultural events within the Kingdom — for example, we collaborated with Diriyah Contemporary Arts Biennale earlier this year.
“We are also committed to bringing regular international sale highlights from important auctions around the world into the Kingdom for the public and clients to view,” she continues. “Christie’s will continue to raise awareness of art and artists from Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage to our wider international audience.”
Ajwa Aljoudi shows off Saudi fashion at the Emmy Awards
Updated 16 September 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: Riyadh-based TV host Ajwa Aljoudi was spotted at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards in Hollywood in a look by Saudi designer Eman Alajlan.
Aljoudi, who also has a post at the Saudi Film Commission, showed off a mustard gown by the eponymous fashion house which was established in 2003.
The column gown featured black bow-and-feather detailing on the back.
Meanwhile, Emmy-winning actress, comedian and writer Quinta Brunson showed off a mermaid sculpted gown from Lebanese designer Georges Chakra’s Fall/Winter 2024-2025 couture collection on the red carpet.
TV’s top stars sparkled on the red carpet at the Emmy Awards, back in its regular September time slot after twin Hollywood strikes delayed last year's ceremony to January, AFP reported.
“Shogun” star Anna Sawai was ready for her close-up — she accepted her Emmy for best actress in a drama in a fire-engine red strapless Vera Wang gown with a flounce just below the hips. Actress Kurumi Nakata, the wife of “Shogun” star Tadanobu Asano, brought a touch of the show to the red carpet in a traditional Japanese kimono.
Anna Sawai won the Emmy for best actress in a drama in a fire-engine red strapless Vera Wang gown. (AFP)
Sofia Vergara, nominated for her performance as a notorious Colombian drug lord in “Griselda,” rocked a strapless ruched red Dolce & Gabbana gown with a plunging neckline and Ayo Edibiri, a winner at the last Emmys for her work on “The Bear” and a nominee again on Sunday, looked glam in a strapless printed red, black and yellow Bottega Veneta gown with a high slit.
Black is always on point for Hollywood events, but blue also was everywhere at the Emmys, according to a report by AFP.
Selena Gomez, a first-time acting nominee for “Only Murders in the Building,” wowed in a form-fitting Ralph Lauren black velvet gown with a glittering silver halter neckline and a train and Brie Larson, nominated for “Lessons in Chemistry,” adopted the peplum trend in a beaded blue Chanel gown with thin sparkling straps, a full skirt and a sweet black bow at the waist.
Selena Gomez wowed in a form-fitting Ralph Lauren black velvet gown. (AFP)
Glittering silver and gold looks definitely felt like a trend on the red carpet.
Jennifer Aniston, once again nominated for best actress in a drama for “The Morning Show,” sparkled in a sheer silvery strapless Oscar de la Renta gown with intricate pearl beading while “Bridgerton” star Nicola Coughlan, a presenter at the Emmys, glimmered in an off-the-shoulder silver Prabal Gurung sequin gown with the on-trend sculpted peplum at the waist.
“Bridgerton” star Nicola Coughlan glimmered in an off-the-shoulder silver Prabal Gurung sequin gown. (AFP)
Saudi Arabia’s Princess Nourah Al-Faisal ‘breathes new life’ into Asprey collection
Updated 15 September 2024
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: British luxury company Asprey is continuing its collaboration with Saudi Princess Nourah Al-Faisal, the founder of Nuun Jewels, with a reimagined version of Asprey’s Feather Jewelry Collection.
The new collection, designed by Princess Nourah, comes after she collaborated with the label on a capsule collection of bags in July 2023.
Coloured titanium is complemented by sparkling gemstones ranging from the most delicate hues to rich, saturated tones. (Supplied)
“When I approached this collection, I saw an opportunity to breathe new life into Asprey’s iconic feather designs. I wanted to honor that legacy while infusing it with the playfulness and innovation that’s become synonymous with the brand,” she told Arab News of the new launch.
The original Feather collection draws inspiration from royal heraldry, featuring designs that echo the feathers adorning the Prince of Wales’s heraldic badge, where three white ostrich feathers emerge from a gold coronet.
Now, Princess Noura has put her own spin on the collection with her unique aesthetic visible in the choice of materials.
The collection consists of 13 pieces that can be made to order in different colours and metal combinations. (Supplied)
Coloured titanium is complemented by sparkling gemstones ranging from the most delicate hues to rich, saturated tones, characteristic of Nuun Jewels’ style. From pale pink sapphires and morganite to pastel yellow diamonds, the interplay of colors is something Princess Nourah is known for.
“By experimenting with unexpected colors and materials, I’ve tried to create pieces that feel both fresh and timeless. There’s a subtle nod to Art Deco in there, which I’ve balanced with the contemporary aesthetic of my own brand, Nuun Jewels,” she said.
The Asprey x Nuun Feather Collection is a feather in the cap of Asprey, with its chairman telling Arab News he is keen to ensure the luxury goods house remains synonymous with “innovation” despite its more than 200-year history.
“This collection not only showcases (Princess Nourah’s) visionary creativity but also exemplifies Asprey’s relentless pursuit of excellence and beauty through innovation and tradition,” John Rigas, chairman of Asprey, said.
The collection consists of 13 pieces that can be made to order in different colours and metal combinations, with a statement necklace to be revealed in 2025.
Danielle Deadwyler shows off Elie Saab look at ‘The Piano Lesson’ screening in New York
Updated 15 September 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: US actress Danielle Deadwyler showed off a bubblegum pink cocktail dress by Lebanese designer Elie Saab at a screening of “The Piano Lesson” in New York.
The outfit hailed from Saab’s Spring/Summer 2024 ready-to-wear collection and featured a belted waist with a slightly flowing skirt.
Danielle Deadwyler showed off a dress by Lebanese designer Elie Saab in New York. (AFP)
Deadwyler stars in “The Piano Lesson,” an American drama directed by Malcolm Washington, who co-wrote the screenplay with Virgil Williams. Set to hit US theaters on Nov. 8, it will stream worldwide on Netflix on Nov. 22 and stars Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith, and Corey Hawkins.
The film is based on August Wilson’s 1987 Pulitzer Prize–winning play of the same name.
It is set in 1936 Pittsburgh during the aftermath of the Great Depression and follows the lives of the Charles family as they decide what to do with an heirloom, the family piano, which is decorated with designs carved by an enslaved ancestor.
The director spoke to Deadline about the upcoming release, saying: “’The Piano Lesson’ is a story that centers on a brother and sister’s disagreement on what to do with a family heirloom, but underneath the surface is a story about ancestry, legacy, and how the decisions that our ancestors made affect the lives we lived today.
“When I first read the script, I was in a place in my life where I was digitizing a bunch of family photos, and I was looking at the faces of my ancestors, thinking about the lives that they lived and the connection to my own. So when I actually read the text itself, it really spoke to me in a way that forced me to engage with the material in a meaningful way,” he added.
The film also played at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, with Deadwyler hitting the red carpet in a Dior Resort 2025 metallic embroidered dress that riffed on the current Joan of Arc-inspired trend with its armor-style aesthetic.
French actress Camille Razat steps out in Amina Muaddi heels at ‘Emily in Paris’ photocall
Updated 14 September 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: French actress and model Camille Razat this week attended the “Emily in Paris” season four photocall in Paris, stepping out in a pair of heels by Romanian-Jordanian designer, Amina Muaddi.
The star chose the footwear designer’s “Charlotte Sling” heels that featured a black patent finish. These shoes are designed with a squared oblique toe and include a slingback strap secured with a silver buckle. The structure is supported by a block heel.
Completing her ensemble, Razat, who portrays Camille, one of Emily’s friends in the series, wore a tailored black suit from the French luxury fashion house Celine. The outfit was complemented by a crisp white shirt and a black tie.
The star chose the footwear designer’s “Charlotte Sling” heels that featured a black patent finish. (Getty Images)
The photocall featured the series’ lead, Lily Collins, who plays Emily. Accompanied by her husband, Charlie McDowell, Collins promoted the hit series in a sheer-net Christian Dior dress adorned with a long fringe, complemented by a black blazer and heels. Charlie matched her ensemble with a black suit.
Co-stars, Ashley Park and Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, attended the event, along with series creator Darren Star, director and executive producer, Andrew Fleming, and costume designer, Marylin Fitoussi.
Leroy-Beaulieu wore a full-length, white sequined Saint Laurent gown featuring a high neckline and a halter-style top with a backless detail. The ensemble was complemented by long, black satin gloves.
(L-R) Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Lily Collins, Darren Star, Ashley Park and Camille Razat attend the "Emily In Paris" Netflix photocall. (Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Park wore a velvet dress from Alessandra Rich featuring a contrasting white satin collar and a row of decorative gold buttons down the front. The dress had a fitted silhouette that ended just below the knee. She accessorized her look with a Judith Leiber bag and pointed black heels with golden accents.
Since launching her eponymous footwear line in August 2018, Muaddi has attracted a loyal following of celebrities including Dua Lipa, Gigi Hadid, Kylie Jenner and Hailey Bieber. Her brand, known for its distinctive footwear, bags and jewelry, has quickly become a favorite among the fashion elite.
Following the launch, Muaddi has seen a series of successful events, notably her collaboration with Rihanna’s Fenty collection. This partnership proved to be immensely successful, earning the Collaborator of the Year award at the 34th FN Achievement Awards in 2020.
A year after this accolade, Muaddi’s influence and success were further recognized when she was named one of Women’s Wear Daily and Footwear News’ 50 Most Powerful Women.
