Social media star Islam Afro adds local flavor to Arabic-dub of ‘Despicable Me 4’
Updated 03 July 2024
Shyama Krishna Kumar
DUBAI: Egyptian social media star Islam Afro is bringing the laughs in the Arabic dub of “Despicable Me 4,” showing in cinemas across the Middle East from July 4.
The Dubai-based star voices Sensei O’Sullivan, a karate instructor. In an interview with Arab News, Afro said: “Sensei is a bit tough on kids and loves discipline. I recorded my voice for other characters; however, when I got the opportunity to do Sensei’s role, I felt it was the best fit and I am so glad the studio thought the same.
“We both have curly hair so that is a plus. I think Sensei is a unique character. I had to practice a lot (to ensure) that I hit the right pitch of voice for the character. The team in the studio helped and guided me to deliver in the best way possible.”
A lifelong film buff, Afro said he was over the moon to enter the world of cinema with Illumination, the production team behind “Despicable Me 4.”
“I was given such an amazing opportunity and was guided professionally throughout. I also want to highlight the efforts of the director and producer of the dubbing house in Egypt. They helped me deliver the character in the best way possible,” he said.
He said the biggest challenge about voice dubbing was “having to repeat the voice multiple times and using different voice pitches. I had to excel in that because with animation your voice is the star. People can’t see your face, movement or body language.”
Afro said he was excited for movie fans across the Middle East to enjoy the film in its dubbed format.
“Having this sequel dubbed in Arabic and Egyptian dialect is a massive win for the industry. I would love for people to watch it in Arabic and to check how amazing the quality is, and the voices are,” he told Arab News. “The dialect and script chosen for the character is just perfect and the comedy side of the film is highlighted in a very nice way.”
A social media star known for his comedy sketches, Afro hopes to further progress in the movie industry.
“I am currently working on a mini album, which I am super excited about and hope my audience will enjoy as we are using different styles this time around,” he said. “And after ‘Despicable Me 4’ and my role as Sensei, (I hope to) ultimately get into the movie scene and get more acting opportunities.”
Review: RSIFF competition title ‘To Kill A Mongolian Horse’ is a moving, gripping tale
Updated 10 December 2024
Gautaman Bhaskaran
JEDDAH: Progress and modernism sometimes spell the end of an era and the traditional way of life. This is essayed brilliantly in director Xiaoxuan Jiang’s“To Kill A Mongolian Horse,” which had its MENA region premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah and is up for consideration for an award at the closing ceremony on Thursday.
Running in the “Red Sea: Competition” section against titles from across the world, the Mandarin and Mongolian language work unfolds against the barren landscape of Mongolia.
The moving 98-minute film tells the story of real-life Saina, a herdsman whose deep bond with his horse is captivating. Scouting for locations for her short movie, “Graveyard of Horses,” the director met Saina in Mongolia and he inspired her to create a fictionalised version of his life.
Apart from tending cattle, Saina also appears in a show about Mongolia's past. A daredevil life-threatening display of horsemanship and athletics endear him to the crowds, and he says in a poignant scene they are necessary for financially supporting his gambling father, son and ex-wife.
Pressing concerns like climate change and drought compensate for average performances. But the storytelling is gripping and underlines the aching heart of Saina, who sees tradition and culture slipping away and a new world emerging. He is nervous but his horse offers solace and the kind of permanence that he craves.
The scenes between the two are movingly etched out through impressive framing captured by Tao Kio Qiu’s lens. Although the landscape is desolate, the bright colours and unique hues of the costumes worn by the actors are a joy to watch against the drab palette of their surroundings.
There is a good chance this title will catch the eye of jury head Spike Lee as the final deliberations are made.
Andrew Garfield, Benedict Cumberbatch take to the RSIFF red carpet ahead of emotional ‘We Live in Time’ screening
Updated 10 December 2024
Shyama Krishna Kumar
JEDDAH: English American actor Andrew Garfield graced the Red Sea International Film Festival red carpet in Jeddah on Monday night as his latest film, “We Live in Time,” held its MENA premiere as part of a gala screening.
Although not joined by his co-star Pugh, Garfield attended the screening alongside producers of the film, Adam Ackland and Benedict Cumberbatch.
At the screening, the producers and star Garfield briefly addressed the audience to introduce the romantic drama.
On Pugh and Garfield’s performances in the film, British star Cumberbatch said, “They’re already at the top of the game. They are our generation’s best,” before adding, “I’m jealous I’m not in the film.”
Andrew Garfield addressed the audience at the screening in Arabic. (Getty Images)
Garfield opened by greeting the audience in Arabic, saying “Assalamu alaikum (peace be upon you).”
He then thanked the festival for bringing the film to Saudi Arabia. “So grateful to be welcomed here like it is my second home,” added Garfield, who also attended the festival last year.
“We Live in Time” is a London-set romantic drama that follows an up-and-coming chef (Pugh) and a recent divorcée (Garfield) across a decade as they find their lives forever changed by a chance encounter.
Photographers pay tribute to Saudi Arabia’s capital at Misk exhibition
Event puts the spotlight on Riyadh
Updated 09 December 2024
Nada Alturki
RIYADH: Misk Art Week is underway in the Kingdom’s capital with workshops, markets, and showcases curated around the theme of art and technology.
As the country accelerates to new horizons, 20 local and international participants have revealed their perspectives of Riyadh and its ever-changing nature at the “Seeing Riyadh” exhibition.
Saudi photographer Meshari Al-Dosari’s work preserves the beauty of the city and its architectural heritage. Among the photographs are scenes of old neighborhood houses with distinctive motifs and vintage cars parked at the forefront, hinting to the viewer that life still exists in these worn-out homes.
Faisal Bin Zarah platforms the iconic Al-Faisaliah and Al-Mamlakah towers in his “Moonlight Symphony” and “Aligned.” (AN photo)
Al-Dosari said: “Houses nowadays look like closed-up boxes. They don’t have the same soul. That was an era that wasn’t really documented and it’s disappearing now.
“A lot of houses are being destroyed because they’re dilapidated or need renovation, so their owners build new houses and that era disappears.”
Italian artist Armando Perna was part of Misk Art Institute’s Masaha residency last year, in which he mapped Riyadh’s evolving character and its liminality. In “Seeing Riyadh,” his work focuses on the outskirts of the city. His photographs show simple prayer buildings that are often found on travel routes.
Dalal Almutairi dissects the nostalgic essences of childhood memories left behind in revisited spaces in “The Red Slide." (AN photo)
As an international artist he is fascinated by life in the desert that alludes to the old way of Saudi living that is different from the culture in cities.
He told Arab News: “In this kind of emptiness, you find these markers, which also give an identity to these places. They work in relation to the landscape.”
Part of his work also features caravans he photographed in a town north of Riyadh, which were used at the time for nomads. He added: “On the left side, there’s the modern structures with the modern caravans and on the right, these are the very old (mosques).”
The unique exhibition space, which used to be an auditorium, is lined with works that capture both the historic and contemporary marks and nuances of the changing city. (AN photo)
The exhibition space, which used to be an auditorium, is lined with works that capture both the historic and contemporary marks and nuances of the changing city.
Dalal Al-Mutairi dissects the nostalgic essences of childhood memories left behind in revisited spaces in “The Red Slide,” while Faisal Bin Zarah platforms the iconic Al-Faisaliah and Al-Mamlakah towers in his “Moonlight Symphony” and “Aligned.”
Saudi photographer Sarah Al-Ansary focuses on documenting Riyadh through its people, architecture, and culture.
As an international artist, Armando Perna was fascinated by the life in the desert that alludes to the old way of Saudi living that’s different from the culture in cities. (AN photo)
The emerging artist often visits old neighborhoods in the city, and told Arab News: “It feels amazing to capture buildings and elements that have been there for decades.”
On display are two sets of photos. One features photographs of handwritten shop signs, located in two different neighborhoods. Each sign highlights an amenity in that neighborhood, like the “neighborhood tailor” and “technical plumbing.”
She said: “What really drew me to the signs was how they were written by hand rather than being printed, which is the more common method used today. Both signs left me wondering how long they had been there.”
Saudi photographer Meshari Aldosari’s work preserves the beauty of the city. Old neighborhood houses with unique architectural motifs are framed with vintage cars parked at the forefront, letting us know that life still exists in these worn-out homes. (AN photo)
The second set of photos are of Shola Shopping Center, which opened in the 1980s but has since shut down. The artist was drawn to the bright colors and design of the building.
Al-Ansary said: “Being a part of Misk Art Week 2024 has been a wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded photographers and artists. I also loved seeing people resonate with the photos and having memories of the areas that I photographed.
“I’m very grateful to Misk Art Institute for valuing photography as an art form and giving me the opportunity to exhibit my work.”
Other participants include Hajar Ali, Latifa Al-Bokhari, Mohammed Al-Jubran, Sara Saad, and Tamara Hamad.
“Seeing Riyadh” is on view at Misk Art Week until Dec. 10.
‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ director aims to offer ‘unique and genuine cinema’
Updated 09 December 2024
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: The opportunity to showcase his debut feature film “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo” at the Venice Film Festival and now at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah is a milestone for Egyptian director Khalid Mansour.
Arab News caught up with Mansour, who previously directed three short films and a mini-series titled “Rawaa Reads” (2023), after the first screening of the film in Jeddah.
“Being part of one of the world’s most significant cinematic events is an incredible opportunity to reach a wider audience and introduce myself as a filmmaker, especially since this film is my debut,” he said.
The first Egyptian film to screen at September’s Venice Film Festival in 12 years, “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo” tells the story of protagonist Hassan as he searches for a safe haven for his best friend, his beloved dog Rambo, after the canine is threatened by their landlord.
“The story of ‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ focuses on my generation and, through Hassan’s journey, we went deep into our thoughts, beliefs, fears, and sense of belonging. This project took about eight years to make because I intended to present unique and genuine cinema,” said Mansour.
He continued: “It is my first feature-length narrative film, and this film is not (just) about a dog and his friend, but it is about the complexities of our generation, highlighting (the) struggle … that we go through in our society.”
The film was inspired by a real incident that resulted in an Egyptian court jailing four men in 2015 over the brutal killing of a dog, which was filmed and sparked outrage when the video went viral.
“This is a film about the strong relationship between a man and his dog and it is a real incident which occurred on Al-Ahram Street (in Cairo), where a group of men killed a dog in front of all the neighbors out of revenge,” Mansour explained.
The film stars Essam Omar, Rakeen Saad, Ahmed Bahaa, Samaa Ibrahim, and the canine Rambo Brothers.
Produced by Rasha Hosny and Egyptian producer giant Mohamed Hefzy, the film will hit cinemas in the Arab world in January.
Saad Tahaitah showcases cultural heritage in ‘Aseer Memory’ at Red Sea International Film Festival
Updated 09 December 2024
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: Saudi director Saad Tahaitah is set to present his short documentary “Aseer Memory” at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, which runs until Dec. 14.
In an interview with Arab News, he discussed on the film’s exploration of cultural identity and the significance of preserving local history through the lens of its central character, Mohammed Al-Matali. The 18-minute film narrates the journey of Al-Matali, who dedicates his life to curating his father’s library, filled with invaluable old books and documents that serve as vital links to the history of the Asir region in Saudi Arabia.
Tahaitah reflected on his filmmaking journey, saying: “I started making documentary films about eight years ago. What always inspires me is the story of people and their places; it’s a significant motivation and inspiration for making every film.”
His attraction to Al-Matali’s story stemmed from the “great legacy that this person possesses.” The director believes that Al-Matali's efforts will have an even more pronounced impact on the culture of the region in the coming years, highlighting that “the film serves as an extension and preservation of his efforts over the past decades.”
Born into a family of scholars, Al-Matali works to preserve precious old books and original documents that are often the only local sources of information about the area in which he grew up. Along with his collections, he has photographed and made videos of the prehistoric petroglyphs and ancient forts that stand in the area. In his latest project, he discovers forgotten local street names in the hope of restoring them to local villages.
Set to run among a slate of international titles hailing from countries including South Korea and the US, Tahaitah hopes that “Aseer Memory” will enlighten the international festival goers who flock to Jeddah about rich heritage of the Asir region.
“The external audience may not be aware of the extent of the culture and heritage we have in our country, especially regarding the subject of the film, the Asir region. The film showcases events and documents from hundreds of years ago, as well as the way of life of people decades ago. I aspire to create more works that focus on this aspect because documentaries are the soft power to convey what we want,” Tahaitah said.
“Documenting culture and human life will create an eternal memory for the region, making films immortal,” he added.
