Lebanese actress Cynthia Khalifeh carves out a path in Hollywood with ‘Borderline’

Lebanese actress Cynthia Khalifeh carves out a path in Hollywood with ‘Borderline’
Lebanese actress Cynthia Khalifeh is all set to make a name for herself in Hollywood. (Getty Images)
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Updated 25 July 2024
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Lebanese actress Cynthia Khalifeh carves out a path in Hollywood with ‘Borderline’

Lebanese actress Cynthia Khalifeh carves out a path in Hollywood with ‘Borderline’

LOS ANGELES: Lebanese actress Cynthia Khalifeh is teaming up with Lucien Laviscount from “Emily in Paris” and Laura Marano of “The Royal Treatment” for the horror-thriller “Borderline.”

The former TV presenter is also eyeing future projects as she aims to achieve her Hollywood dream.

“I’m one step forward on the path to achieving my big dream since I was young, which is to act in international films. So, baby steps and I really feel like I am a bit closer,” Khalifeh told Arab News in an interview.

“It was a lot of risks that I had to take, a lot of just jumping on adventures where I didn’t have anything that was guaranteed.”

“Borderline”, a film shot in a specially constructed studio in Malta, highlights the darkest fears associated with dating apps.

“It talks about online dating and how sometimes you might go to meet someone you don’t know, and there’s a certain danger,” Khalifeh said.

The actress said the show is called “Borderline’ because, “they meet in a place located at the border between two countries, so there is no law applied from this country or the other, so anything can happen in this place.”

“The girl or I find myself stuck over there in one night, contained, in one place, trying to run away from this person but I face him at the end. I learnt a lot of fights,” she added.

About her co-star Laviscount, she said: “Lucien plays a completely different role than that of the handsome sweet guy that all girls fell for in ‘Emily in Paris.’ Here, you will not like him at all.”

Khalifeh’s contributions to the screenplay led to her role as co-writer of the film. Choosing horror to launch her global career, she hopes to dominate this year’s Halloween season.

“I started throwing ideas and then they told me, ‘You know what? Do you want to join in?’ It happened and I joined the writing team,” she said.


Malaysian label Rizman Ruzaini kicks off Dubai Fashion Week

Malaysian label Rizman Ruzaini kicks off Dubai Fashion Week
Updated 02 September 2024
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Malaysian label Rizman Ruzaini kicks off Dubai Fashion Week

Malaysian label Rizman Ruzaini kicks off Dubai Fashion Week

DUBAI: Malaysian design duo Rizman Ruzaini opened Dubai Fashion Week’s Spring/Summer 2025 runway shows with their latest collection, “Mustika,” on Sunday night.

The collection combined modern cuts with the timeless elegance of traditional Malay designs — specifically the kebaya dress, a traditional upper garment, and batik print work.

Last year, the Malaysian label made their debut in Dubai during Dubai Fashion Week and had supermodel Naomi Campbell walk the runway in an elaborate dress and bolero jacket inspired by Malaysia’s Lake Chini.

This collection was inspired by the film “Perempuan Melayu Terakhir” (“The Last Malay Woman”), designers Rizman Nordin and Ruzaini Jamil explained to Arab News backstage.

“In this collection we chose to celebrate Malay heritage through fashion … the innovation of batik pattern into print, tumble beading and embroidery bring a significant evolution in fashion,” Jamil said.

“Mustika symbolizes the jewel of Malay heritage costume,” he said. “The entire collection focuses on the kebaya being one of the oldest iconic attires in women’s fashion in Southeast Asia. It symbolizes culture, heritage and national identity and is still being worn today.”

The collection features traditional batik motifs reappropriated into modern designs with intricate embroidery and tambour beading, emphasizing the brand’s dedication to preserving and promoting Malaysia's sartorial heritage on the global stage.

The dynamic designer duo, who founded their label in 2005, are particularly excited about the Dubai market. At the end of this year, they will open their first standalone store in Dubai in an undisclosed location.

 “Dubai reflects the DNA of the brand. We mix local tradition with contemporary fashion cuts as well as modest fashion. People in Dubai love to dress up and so our label fits very well with the style here,” Nordin said.


Amal and George Clooney walk the red carpet at ‘Wolfs’ premiere in Venice

Amal and George Clooney walk the red carpet at ‘Wolfs’ premiere in Venice
Updated 02 September 2024
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Amal and George Clooney walk the red carpet at ‘Wolfs’ premiere in Venice

Amal and George Clooney walk the red carpet at ‘Wolfs’ premiere in Venice

DUBAI: British-Lebanese human rights lawyer Amal Clooney and her husband George Clooney were resplendant as they attended the world premiere of the latter’s new film, “Wolfs.”

For the red carpet premiere, Amal opted for a a pale yellow ruffled gown with a corseted bodice from Versace. She completed the look with a Judith Leiber clutch and drop earrings.

Brad Pitt and George Clooney at the world premiere of  “Wolfs” at the Venice Film Festival. (AFP)

Starring Hollywood bigwigs Brad Pitt and George Clooney, “Wolfs” had a triumphant world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday night, receiving an almost 5-minute standing ovation at the Lido Theatre.

The Jon Watts-directed film from Apple and Sony casts Pitt and Clooney as fixers who accidentally end up working the same job.

Produced by Clooney’s Smokehouse and Pitt’s Plan B, the film also stars Amy Ryan, Austin Abrams, Poorna Jagannathan, Richard Kind and Zlatko Buric.

The movie is also getting a limited theatrical release via Sony on Sept. 20, followed by a global launch on Apple TV+ on Sept. 27.


Celebrities descend on Red Sea Film Fest-backed amfAR Gala Venezia

Celebrities descend on Red Sea Film Fest-backed amfAR Gala Venezia
Updated 02 September 2024
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Celebrities descend on Red Sea Film Fest-backed amfAR Gala Venezia

Celebrities descend on Red Sea Film Fest-backed amfAR Gala Venezia

DUBAI: Celebrities from around the world attended the amfAR Gala Venezia 2024, which was supported by Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival, on Sunday night in Italy. 

US singer Kelly Rowland performed at the event in an all-white gown by Cheney Chan and Chopard jewels as she hit the stage in front of a star-studded audience. 

US singer Kelly Rowland at the amfAR Gala Venezia 2024. (Getty Images)

The event took place on the sidelines of the 81st Venice International Film Festival and played host to celebrity guests, including Hollywood actor Antonio Banderas, British actor Lucien Laviscount and US actor Richard Gere, among others. 

 

 

Shivani Pandya, managing director of the Red Sea Film Festival and Saudi producer and former CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation Mohammed Al-Turki were also spotted on the red carpet ahead of the gala. 

Jomana Al-Rashid, chairwoman of the Red Sea Film Foundation, chaired the event. 

Al-Turki was honored with the amfAR Philanthropic Leadership Award during the gala, with amfAR taking to social media to describe his “extraordinary dedication to supporting HIV research and his unwavering commitment to advancing the fight against AIDS.”

 

 

Meanwhile, four Red Sea Fund-supported productions have been selected for screening at the storied film festival. 

The RSFF-backed films “Aïcha” and “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo” will screen in the Orizzonti and Orizzonti Extra selections respectively.

This is alongside two titles in the Venice Production Bridge’s Final Cut initiative supported by the Red Sea Fund: “Aisha Can’t Fly Away Anymore” and “In This Darkness I See You.”

Also screening in Venice’s Giornate degli Autori sidebar are two films supported by the Red Sea Fund: Hind Meddeb’s documentary “Sudan, Remember Us,” and from Northeast Asia “To Kill a Mongolian Horse” by Chinese director Xiaoxuan Jiang.

 “This year in Venice, the Foundation is supporting four films that demonstrate the importance and power of Arab, Asian and African cinema and encapsulate the pillars of the Foundation — creativity, diversity and cultural exchange,” Al-Rashid said in a released statement. 

“At this year’s festival we are also notably underscoring our expansion to Asia with our support of Chinese director Xiaoxuan Jiang, which marks our first project from the country,” she added.


Bella Hadid joins Chopard as Global Ambassador

Bella Hadid joins Chopard as Global Ambassador
Updated 01 September 2024
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Bella Hadid joins Chopard as Global Ambassador

Bella Hadid joins Chopard as Global Ambassador

DUBAI: US Palestinian supermodel Bella Hadid has succeeded Hollywood actress Julia Roberts as the Global Ambassador of luxury Swiss jewelry house Chopard.

The campaign will launch on Sept. 1 with six images shot by photographer Alasdair McLellan. The campaign will focus on Chopard’s Haute Joaillerie collections, including Happy Hearts, Happy Sport, Happy Diamonds, Ice Cube, and Alpine Eagle.

Hadid first showed off Chopard creations at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival and has been spotted wearing jewelry by the maison on various red carpets as of late - including multiple sightings at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. 

 Bella Hadid showed off jewels by Chopard at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024. (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, shared a released statement with Business Today, stating: “Bella epitomises the spirit of Chopard: a harmonious mix of effortless elegance and zest for life that perfectly resonates with what our watches and jewellery stand for. We are excited about embarking on this new journey together.”

Hadid has also been making waves in the beauty industry with her own fragrance brand, Orabella, which launched in May.


Alia Shawkat spotted at Miu Miu event during Venice Film Festival

Alia Shawkat spotted at Miu Miu event during Venice Film Festival
Updated 01 September 2024
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Alia Shawkat spotted at Miu Miu event during Venice Film Festival

Alia Shawkat spotted at Miu Miu event during Venice Film Festival

DUBAI: US Iraqi actress Alia Shawkat hit the red carpet at the Miu Miu Women's Tales dinner during the Venice Film Festival on Saturday.

Shawkat was joined at the event by the likes of US singer Olivia Rodrigo, British actor Harris Dickinson, US actress Jasmin Savoy, British actor Joe Allwyn and more.

She showed off a midnight blue ensemble consisting off a shirt and flared, knee-length skirt.

US Iraqi actress Alia Shawkat hit the red carpet at the Miu Miu Women's Tales dinner. (Getty Images)

The actress — who first appeared on camera in 1999, when she was 10 years old — rose to fame at a time when Hollywood was much less receptive to non-white identities.

“It’s interesting, because when I started acting, I always had to say I was half-whatever the role was. I would say I was half-Spanish, or half-French, just trying to blend in. I was always seen as ‘too ethnic’ when I was young,” Shawkat previously told Arab News. “Now my ethnicity is a strength, because the conversation is shifting. It’s funny to watch actors actually talk about where they’re coming from, or playing roles that they’re actually connected to, when I grew up having to basically hide it.”

Shawkat firmly believes that there is more work to be done than simply casting more diverse actors.

“Obviously, representation is very important, but I think also changing the stories themselves is key. Stories are very important, obviously — that's why we do all of this, right? Changing stories, changing ideas, of how people view Middle Easterners in general is very important,” Shawkat said. “The Middle East has got a really bad rap for a long time. I hope to always make things that are showing more truth behind the Middle East. I’m trying to be a part of that as much as possible and working more with Arabs in general. I want to go into the Middle East more.”

Dubai-based reality TV star and influencer Farhana Bodi attended the "Battlefield" ("Campo Di Battaglia") red carpet. (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, British Lebanese human rights lawyer Amal Clooney was spotted in Venice ahead of the premiere of her husband George Clooney’s new film “Wolfs.”

The action comedy, pitting one professional "lone wolf" fixer against another, is one of the highlights of the 10-day festival, where it is playing out of competition on the glamorous Lido.

Amal Clooney showed off a custom Bach Mai look and Cartier jewelry at an event hosted by the French jewelry label.

Dubai-based reality TV star and influencer Farhana Bodi attended the "Battlefield" ("Campo Di Battaglia") red carpet at the festival on Saturday in a look by designer Nali Barzani.