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RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman participated in the funeral prayer of Princess Latifa bint Abdulaziz on Wednesday at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.
Princess Latifa was buried at Al-Oud Cemetery in Riyadh on Wednesday following the funeral prayer which took place after the noon prayer. She passed away on Tuesday.
JEDDAH: After making “The Brave” in 1997, Hollywood star Johnny Depp is stepping behind the camera once again as a director for “Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness.”
The movie is about Italian bohemian artist Amedeo Modigliani on 72-hour whirlwind through the streets of Paris during the First World War.
In an engaging roundtable conversation held recently at Sharbatly Cultural House, ahead of the gala screening of his movie at the Red Sea International Film Festival, Depp said: “‘The Brave’ was an unhappy experience.
“But for this film, I have more freedom and I was able to feel free like a giant toddler. Actually, I feel fortunate to be given the opportunity, along with such a great cast and crew.”
Appearing in his signature style, a mix of vintage clothing, layered outfits and accessories, Depp told the journalists in the room that he was first approached about the project by actor Al Pacino.
He recalled Pacino saying: “‘Hey Johnny, do you remember that Modigliani project I was going to do? Why don’t you direct it?’ I never thought that I would ever direct again after 27 years. So, how could I refuse Pacino? For some reason, I said, ‘Why not?’”
When you are in AlUla or around the historical area here in Jeddah, that’s the stuff I want to film. I am really fascinated with Saudi Arabia’s culture and history.
Johnny Depp, ‘Modi’ director
“Definitely, it is a positive experience (making ‘Modi’),” he added.
The movie, which is supported through the Red Sea International Film Financing program, is based on a play by Dennis McIntyre and tells the story of the famous painter and sculptor Modigliani during his time in Paris in 1916.
The cast is led by actors Pacino, Riccardo Scamarcio, Stephen Graham, Antonia Desplat, Bruno Gouery, Ryan McParland and Luisa Ranieri.
Depp’s leading actor, Scamarcio, was full of praise for his direction, which he described as free-flowing and respectful. “It was so great working with Depp and (he) made us act in comfort with no limitations or restrictions,” said Scamarcio.
Asked by Arab News about what attracted him to Modigliani’s story, Depp said: “Modigliani was, of course, one of the great contemporary artists of all time. But he also represented an era and point of view where new possibilities still existed. His vision fascinates me.”
“I admit that everything Modigliani ever stood for, and continues to stand for, resonates deeply within me,” said Depp.
Speaking about his partnership with the Red Sea International Festival, Depp explained: “They have been very supportive and they have the ability to do films and allow the process to be as organic as you can imagine. They really gave me the freedom to do whatever I want,” he said.
He revealed that he has plans to paint with Saudi Arabia’s visual artist Ahmed Mater. “I really admire his work and last time we met in London, and also at his studio in Jeddah, we agreed to do some paintings together.”
He continued: “Listen, I am not a stranger to Saudi Arabia and I really enjoy a great relationship with Saudis. For future plans, I am hoping to capture in my upcoming films the beautiful landscape it has.
“When you are in AlUla or around the historical area here in Jeddah, that’s the stuff I want to film. I am really fascinated with Saudi Arabia’s culture and history.
“In addition, I really admire the warmth of Saudis who I consider a very kind and respectable people.”
RIYADH: Eminem, Linkin Park, A$AP Rocky and Calvin Harris were among the big names that rocked Riyadh for MDLBeast Soundstorm, with hitmaker Camila Cabello set to perform on Saturday.
American rapper Eminem, also known as Slim Shady, performed on Thursday, introducing himself as the Arabified “Saleem Shadi.”
The concert began with a video depicting a mock “breaking news” segment announcing the death of Eminem on the big screen, before he emerged to perform his song “Lucifer.”
Rapper Mr. Porter was Eminem’s hypeman during the show, and the duo partook in comedic conversations between each song, dropping hints on what song will be played next and interacting with the crowd.
This year’s three-day MDLBeast Soundstorm will witness more than 150 artists performing in 10 different areas around the festival venue.
Skylar Grey, singer-songwriter and record producer, was a guest star during the concert, performing during hit songs “Monster” and “Love the Way You Lie.”
Eminem and Grey spoiled the crowd with an emotional performance of the rapper’s most recent song “Temporary,” an ode to his daughter Hailie Mathers, with a backdrop of archival videos of her as a child.
The rapper showed his admiration and love for Saudi Arabia throughout the concert, including teasing comments about moving to the Kingdom.
The concert concluded with a bittersweet moment, as Eminem performed his most popular song “Lose Yourself,” the theme song for Eminem’s semi-biographical movie “8 Mile.”
American rock band Linkin Park also performed on Thursday. The group is back on the road this year for the first time since their original co-lead vocalist Chester Bennington’s death in 2017. His replacement is Emily Armstrong, who performed new songs as well as throwbacks “In the End” and “Numb/Encore.”
In just a few years since its launch in 2019, MDLBEAST Soundstorm has established itself as the Gulf’s biggest music festival, but has also staked a claim to being the world’s largest rave — last year’s event reportedly drew in 730,000 attendees.
This year’s three-day music festival will witness more than 150 artists performing in 10 different areas around the festival venue. Once again, the focus in on electronic dance music, with the vast majority of performers being DJ-producers — from global A-listers like David Guetta and Armin Van Buuren to local luminaries like Baloo and Biirdperson.
RIYADH: The Vietnamese Embassy in Riyadh, in coordination with the nation’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is holding a series of cultural activities to mark 25 years of diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.
The “Vietnam Days 2024” silver jubilee events, from Friday to Sunday, is being held at the Cultural Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter. Saudi Arabia and Vietnam established diplomatic ties in 1999.
In a recent interview with Arab News, Dang Xuan Dzung, Vietnam’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said this year marks “a very important milestone in our relations.”
“The activities are taking place in both countries, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Hanoi is also holding a series of events,” said Dzung.
“In September, we held at our mission (a) 25th anniversary ceremony during which I highlighted all the achievements that we recorded during the last 25 years,” said the envoy.
“In late October we welcomed our Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. He participated in the 8th Future Investment Initiative during his two-days Riyadh visit (Oct. 29 to 30) forming a significant milestone in bilateral relations and impetus for ties in the time ahead,” said Dzung.
He said the prime minister’s trip was aimed at boosting relations, and he had met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The nation’s leader had been in Riyadh in October for the GCC-ASEAN Summit, said the envoy.
“They had a very good chance to review the bilateral relations and see what we can do together to promote it,” Dzung told Arab News on the sidelines of a press meet ahead of the cultural activities.
“We hope that (the) exchange of delegations will be intensified in the time to come. I do believe that exchanges of delegations will be taking place very soon at various levels, including high-level visits."
Dzung added that Saudi Arabia’s aid Agency KSrelief “has been a great help to us. They helped us in supporting victims of flooding and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We very much appreciate that assistance. Also, (the) Saudi Fund for Development has been helping us to build infrastructures in some provinces of Vietnam. So, we are very grateful for the constructions of roads, clinics, and vocational training colleges, funded by the SFD.”
Dzung added: “I really think that 25 years of cordial ties give me enough reasons to believe in the bright future of our relations. I am sure that a lot of potential held by both sides have not been fully tapped, so that gives up a lot of room to desire for and to strive for.”
The series of events at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh includes a photographic exhibition highlighting the years of diplomatic ties, and a display of Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage sites.
In addition, there will be exhibitions on Vietnamese lacquer paintings, the process of creating Dong Ho folk art, and the nation’s cuisine.
Trade between the two nations stood at $2.7 billion in 2023, and $2.5 billion in the first 10 months of 2024.
“We also see the two countries working closely in human resources development. We are now providing more engineers, skilled workers. People-to-people contacts has been developing very fast,” he added.
Hoang Huu Anh, deputy director-general of the department of cultural diplomacy and UNESCO affairs at the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry, told Arab News the cultural events are aimed at promoting his nation and fostering friendship between the two countries.
“We have seen two visits by our prime minister (over 12 months), so we are keen to take it forward with further developing people-to-people contact through cultural diplomacy.”
JEDDAH: The French Consulate in Jeddah organized an event to mark the successful conclusion of the fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival.
The gathering brought together figures from Saudi Arabia and France — representatives from film education institutions, members of the French delegation, and Saudi partners — underscoring the cultural and professional ties between the two nations in the film sector.
Mohammed Nehad, the consul general of France in Jeddah, delivered a speech highlighting France’s commitment to advancing Saudi cinema, emphasizing support in areas such as film training and education and helping to introduce the 48-Hour Film Challenge, which encourages Saudi filmmakers, writers, and cinema students to create a short film within just 48 hours.
He told Arab News: “The Red Sea Film Festival is an essential platform for bringing together French and Saudi filmmakers. It helps create strong cultural connections by offering opportunities for exchange, dialogue, and collaboration.
“This festival promotes the sharing of technical and artistic expertise. For us at the French Consulate, it represents a unique opportunity to support talent and strengthen the ties between the two nations through cinema, a universal art that transcends borders and unites cultures.”
The French Consulate’s support extends beyond the festival, with initiatives designed to foster cultural and artistic ties between Saudi Arabia and France. These initiatives include a strong presence at the Red Sea Souk, a dedicated marketplace for professionals, where the consulate organizes the souk’s closing evening to showcase collaborations between French and Saudi filmmakers.
Support for the 48-Hour Film Challenge also offers young teams the chance to win a three-week residency in France, further honing their creative projects.
Additionally, the consulate facilitates cinematic training programs in collaboration with educational institutions, transferring French expertise to Saudi talent.
Several companies from the French delegation, such as ICC Immersion, actively contributed to the Red Sea Souk, showcasing the consulate’s commitment to supporting the regional film industry and cultural exchange.
Nehad said: “We actively support emerging French talent, particularly those exploring new ideas and narrative forms.
“The Red Sea Film Festival is an ideal opportunity to showcase their work. The consulate facilitates their participation and encourages collaboration with Saudi filmmakers, fostering enriching exchanges for the international film industry.”
RIYADH: Dr. Majid bin Ibrahim Al-Fayyadh, CEO of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, inaugurated the International Consensus Conference on Minimally Invasive Organ Transplantation in Riyadh on Friday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The three-day conference “brings together international experts to shape the future of transplant surgery,” according to the SPA, and “aims to develop international guidelines for minimally invasive transplantation through collaborative workshops and expert discussions, thus bridging the gap between available medical evidence and practical applications.”
Following the Danish Consensus model, recommendations will undergo rigorous review before being finalized, the SPA reported.
The conference will include live demonstrations of robotic liver and kidney transplant surgeries, providing participants with “advanced practical applications in minimally invasive organ transplantation techniques,” with the aim of “transferring expertise and familiarizing participants with the latest innovative surgical practices.”
KFSH&RC has already carried out several world firsts in robotic surgery, including the first robotic heart transplant and a complete robotic liver transplant program that has treated 40 patients so far.
The hospital has also been recognized by Newsweek as one of the world’s smartest hospitals for 2025 and named the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East by Brand Finance for 2024, the SPA reported.
