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REVIEW: Netflix’s ‘Officer Black Belt’ is a confusing genre mash-up

REVIEW: Netflix’s ‘Officer Black Belt’ is a confusing genre mash-up
“Officer Black Belt” is on Netflix. (Supplied)
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Adam Grundey
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REVIEW: Netflix’s ‘Officer Black Belt’ is a confusing genre mash-up

REVIEW: Netflix’s ‘Officer Black Belt’ is a confusing genre mash-up
  • South Korean film is billed as an action-comedy, but the laughs rapidly fade
Updated 9 sec ago
Adam Grundey
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DUBAI: South Korean director Jason Kim’s latest project, “Officer Black Belt,” is marketed as an action-comedy. And for the first 40 minutes or so, you can see why: it sets out as a so-so take on the “odd couple/buddy cop” trope. But then comes a shift.

The story: likeable-but-aimless Lee Jung-do (Kim Woo-bin) spends most of his time hanging with his gamer friends and working as a delivery driver for his dad’s restaurant. One night, he happens across a probation officer who’s being badly beaten by one of the violent ex-cons whose ankle bracelets he monitors. Jung-do, it turns out, is a master martial artist. He rushes to help the probation officer, likely saving his life.

Probation department manager Kim Sun-min (Kim Sung-kyun) offers Jung-do a temporary job while the officer he saved recovers. He accepts, and the two quickly become friends — despite a considerable age gap and what at first seems like a major difference in lifestyle choices. There are some vaguely humorous scenes as the two get to know one another and as Jung-do gets to grips with his new role — and with several parolees.

The general goofiness of these early scenes takes a turn when a notorious child abuser is released from prison and becomes the responsibility of the already over-worked probation department. The fight scenes are no longer comic-book-style entertainment, but grimly lethal, and the storyline gets especially dark when a young girl is abducted with the intent of forcing her to ‘star’ in a video for a dark web pornographer.

It's impossible to overstate just how jarring this narrative and stylistic shift is; but it’s a bit like watching an episode of “Friends” and having Phoebe turn up at the coffee shop bloodied and traumatized having been brutally assaulted. It’s not just a shock, but a shock that feels entirely out of place contextually.

Whether that’s intentional, as an attempt to subvert audience expectations, or simply sloppy storytelling is hard to say — and the result is ultimately the same: confusion. Which is only compounded when the director delivers a ludicrously saccharine, plot-hole-riddled ending.

Woo-bin, who shows himself to be a charismatic and capable lead, deserves better.

Topics: Officer Black Belt Netflix

Highlights from ‘One Hundred Years of Painting: Arab Art from 1916 to 2017’ at Dubai’s Kutubna Cultural Center

Highlights from ‘One Hundred Years of Painting: Arab Art from 1916 to 2017’ at Dubai’s Kutubna Cultural Center
Updated 38 sec ago
Arab News
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Highlights from ‘One Hundred Years of Painting: Arab Art from 1916 to 2017’ at Dubai’s Kutubna Cultural Center

Highlights from ‘One Hundred Years of Painting: Arab Art from 1916 to 2017’ at Dubai’s Kutubna Cultural Center
  • This free exhibition runs at Dubai’s Kutubna Cultural Center until Oct. 13 
Updated 38 sec ago
Arab News

Amine El-Bacha 

‘L’Orchestre’ 

The late Lebanese painter, who died in 2019, was — according to the exhibition brochure — “an ardent observer of people and places and a master colorist who always managed a synergistic ensemble of light and hues.” This particular piece was inspired by — and an homage to — his brother, Toufic, a respected musician and composer. (The brothers’ uncle was also a composer and a painter.) El-Bacha is quoted in the exhibition notes as having once said, “One can hear music while looking at my artwork.”  

Najat Makki 

‘Untitled’ 

This is a fine example of the veteran Emirati artist’s abstract takes on the natural landscape of her homeland — a constant theme of her work, along with local folklore. Makki is a true pioneer; she was the first Emirati woman to gain a government scholarship to study art abroad (which she did in the late 1970s). She studied at the College of Fine Arts in Cairo, and has been heavily influenced by Egyptian artists including the Alsader brothers and Mahmoud Mukhtar. In 2018, Makki spoke to the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation about her fascination with color. “When I was a child, my father owned a herbal medicine shop. It was full of boxes of herbs as well as indigo dye and alum-block. I used them all to paint on paper bags. That’s when I started to love color … I learned about light and shadow from watching my mother fold our clothes. My relationship with color didn’t just come; I worked on it by learning from everything I saw.” 

Khaled Ben Slimane 

‘Wind’ 

This is one of several calligraphic paintings by the Tunisian artist on show at the exhibition based on the classical elements. Although best known for his ceramic works, Ben Slimane is also an accomplished painter, as these works show. Calligraphy also forms a major part of his work — he often uses Qur’anic verses in his pieces, which tend to be a blend of Islamic and Western artistic influences. 

Farid Aouad  

‘Sortie de Metro’ 

The melancholy beauty of this Aouad painting is typical of the late Lebanese artist’s work, as is the subject matter — the city of Paris. He first traveled to the French capital in his early twenties and it later became his home, after spending the Fifties in Beirut. “In Paris he dedicated himself to immortalizing the City of Light and its legendary cafés, bars, bistros and metro,” the show notes explain. That might sound like he was having a good time. Not so. “He lived his life in solitude, misery and poverty,” the notes state. “He often depicted scenes of lonely strangers in the city.” 

Saad El-Khadem 

‘Landscape’ 

El-Khadem is widely regarded as one of the most significant figures in Egyptian modern art. He was of aristocratic descent, and was a keen historian and anthropologist as well as an artist. His marriage in 1954 to Effat Naghi — arguably Egypt’s most prominent 20th-century female artist — cemented his celebrity. This landscape is one of El-Khadem’s more traditional works, showing no real sign of what auction house Bonham’s described as his “profound interest in folklore, traditional rituals, practices and esoteric religious beliefs.” 

Topics: Kutubna Cultural Center One Hundred Years of Painting: Arab Art from 1916 to 2017

Saudi artworks attract crowds in Cairo

Saudi artworks attract crowds in Cairo
Updated 19 September 2024
Arab News
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Saudi artworks attract crowds in Cairo

Saudi artworks attract crowds in Cairo
  • Nahed Turkistani, a professor of ceramic art at Jeddah University and one of the exhibition’s organizers, said the event featured around 20 Saudi works
  • Turkistani highlighted the distinctiveness of the Saudi pieces which showcased works representing innovative artistic ideas
Updated 19 September 2024
Arab News

CAIRO: Saudi artworks at the second edition of the Beyond the Frame art exhibition — currently at the Cairo Opera House — have attracted visitors of various nationalities and ages, who have praised the diversity and uniqueness of the works.

Nahed Turkistani, a professor of ceramic art at Jeddah University and one of the exhibition’s organizers, said the event featured around 20 Saudi works in photography, sculpture, Arabic calligraphy, and painting.

She highlighted the distinctiveness of the Saudi pieces which showcased works representing innovative artistic ideas reflecting intellectualism, diversity and creativity.

Turkistani said the event emphasized the spirit of cooperation and cultural and artistic exchange between the participating Arab countries, with the focus on the traditions of the societies involved.

She also noted the support provided by the Saudi Embassy in Egypt during the event.

Topics: Nahed Turkistani Jeddah University Beyond the Frame Saudi embassy in Egypt

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‘Art Here’ exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi begins in collaboration with Swiss watchmaker

‘Art Here’ exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi begins in collaboration with Swiss watchmaker
Updated 19 September 2024
Dalal Awienat
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‘Art Here’ exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi begins in collaboration with Swiss watchmaker

‘Art Here’ exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi begins in collaboration with Swiss watchmaker
  • The fourth annual event includes a prize worth $60,000  
  • 5 artists selected to showcase their work under theme ‘Awakenings’
Updated 19 September 2024
Dalal Awienat

ABU DHABI: In collaboration with Swiss watchmakers Richard Mille, Louvre Abu Dhabi is hosting the fourth edition of the annual exhibition and competition “Art Here” from Sept. 20 to Dec. 15.

With more than 200 applicants from all over the Arab world, the Art Here award is offering a $60 thousand prize for its winner.

This year, five artists were selected to showcase their work under the theme “Awakenings,” with the winning artist to be selected by a jury and announced in December.

The artists are Sarah Almehairi, Lamya Gargash, Ferielle Doulain-Zouari, Moataz Nasr and Nicene Kossentini.

Emirati artist Gargash interpreted the theme with a giant beach ball sculpture made entirely of sand from the UAE.

Gargash explained that her piece “Debutante Ball” was inspired by a derogatory comment someone made toward her when she was younger, saying the UAE was just a “giant sandbox.”

“I consider it (the art) a response to something that I experienced years ago. A negative comment, a provocative comment that was pointed at me. And I took it to heart,” she said.

“The theme ‘Awakenings’ speaks volumes about transience and finding your way. So for me, it is a rebirth. It’s a renaissance,” she said.

Egyptian artist Nasr decided to give up the field of economics to pursue his passion.

“​​My mother was an artist. I used to sit with her, watching her where she’s painting. And that was the best thing in my life. Just sitting behind her. Seeing how colors keep mixing until something comes out all of the sudden over there in front of me,” he said.

Nasr describes himself as a history buff and said his work is inspired by Arab history. His piece “Brides of the Sky” tells the story of women during the Mongolian invasion of Egypt.

“What I’m trying to do as an artist is bring a big loop, a magnified loop and put it on things that people can pass by without seeing and tell them: Look, this is your heritage.

“Maybe this is going to awaken something in them and make them understand something about themselves, about the history, the heritage,” he said.

Topics: Louvre Abu Dhabi Richard Mille

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Saudi Heritage Commission reveals findings of research into ancient mustatil sites in Hail

Saudi Heritage Commission reveals findings of research into ancient mustatil sites in Hail
Updated 19 September 2024
Lama Alhamawi
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Saudi Heritage Commission reveals findings of research into ancient mustatil sites in Hail

Saudi Heritage Commission reveals findings of research into ancient mustatil sites in Hail
  • The aim of the research was to investigate and catalog the massive stone structures in northern Saudi Arabia and the purposes for which they were built
  • The study is part of a larger Green Arabia project exploring the history of human expansion in the Arabian Peninsula during the Paleolithic period
Updated 19 September 2024
Lama Alhamawi

RIYADH: The Saudi Heritage Commission has revealed a number of discoveries related to long-term research into ancient, monumental, rectangular, stone-walled structures in the Kingdom known as mustatils.

The study is part of a larger Green Arabia project exploring the history of human expansion in the Arabian Peninsula during the Paleolithic period.

“We have been working on this Green Arabia Project for about 15 years now, in full collaboration and partnership with our Saudi colleagues, especially from the Heritage Commission, Ministry of Culture, and King Saud University,” said Michael Petraglia, a professor and the director of the Australian Research Center for Human Evolution.

“We have been conducting consistent fieldwork in Saudi Arabia, uncovering archaeological sites that date back as far as 500,000 years (through) to the historic present.”

The study of the mustatils involved rigorous spatial analysis of 169 structures in the southern and western margins of the Nefud Desert in Hail Province.

“One of the major findings of our project is that the environments of Saudi Arabia have changed significantly over time,” Petraglia said.

“We know that the Saudi Arabia we see today is arid, with vast deserts, but it wasn’t always that way. There were periods in the past when Arabia was much greener, which is why we call it the Green Arabia Project.”

During this historical period there was considerably more rainfall, as a result of which there was an abundance of lakes and rivers.

“Those lakes and rivers provided fresh water, supporting hunter-gatherer communities and attracting a diverse array of wildlife,” Petraglia said.

“In the past, we had a lush landscape of savannas and grasslands, inhabited by hunter-gatherers and various animal species. In fact, some of our older archaeological sites even contain remains of hippos and elephants. That’s how green it was back then.”

The aim of the research, the findings of which were published in the scientific journal Holocene, was to investigate and catalog the mustatils in northern Saudi Arabia and explore the purposes for which they were built, and to shed light on the factors that influenced the development of Neolithic settlements in the northwestern Arabian Peninsula.

Researchers documented 169 mustatils, studying their shapes, sizes and locations, in an area covering 44,000 square kilometers, using satellite imaging and field visits that included excavation work.

The experts said the work has provided vital insights into the cultural beliefs, ideas, customs and traditions of the people who lived in the area during the Neolithic period, between 10,000 and 2000 B.C., including significant information about economic, social and religious aspects of their lives.

Their findings suggest the large structures, found on the outskirts of the Nefud Desert on hilltops at elevations of up to 950 meters above sea level, were built over a relatively short period of about 1,200 years, between 5400 and 4200 B.C.

The mustatils therefore offered expansive views of the surrounding landscape, suggesting that the choice of locations was deliberate, and in particular based on proximity to water sources and raw materials.

Excavations at the sites revealed animal remains, including the horns and bones of cattle, gazelle and goats, which are thought to have been offered as sacrifices to deities.

During an event on Wednesday to reveal the results of the research, the CEO of the Saudi Heritage Commission, Jasser Suleiman Al-Harbash, highlighted the role of archaeology in uncovering and understanding ancient societies, as well as advancements that have been made in this field under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification.

The research was carried out by the Saudi Heritage Commission in collaboration with local and international institutions including the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, the University of Tubingen and the University of Cologne, all in Germany, King's College London, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, King Saud University, Griffith University and the University of Queensland in Australia, the Smithsonian Institution in the US, and the University of Malta.

Topics: Saudi Heritage Commission mustatils Michael Petraglia Australian Research Center for Human Evolution

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Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve — a great escape 

Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve — a great escape 
Updated 19 September 2024
Shyama Krishna Kumar
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Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve — a great escape 

Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve — a great escape 
  • The island-based Red Sea resort offers the chance for both relaxation and adventure 
Updated 19 September 2024
Shyama Krishna Kumar

RED SEA: The latest offering from Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Global Project — Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve — is situated off the Kingdom’s west coast in the relatively untouched Ummahat Islands. It offers guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in Saudi Arabia’s nature, culture and cuisine. 

Red Sea International Airport — situated where the expansive desert meets the cerulean coast — is fairly small. It took around five minutes from the plane stopping to being ushered out of the airport, luggage in hand, which has to be some kind of record. 

The deck of an overwater villa. (Supplied)

It's a further 15-to-20-minute drive to the Red Sea arrival center, from which you take a boat transfer — or, if the weather is suitable, a seaplane — to Nujuma. 

We found ourselves there on an extremely windy day, so the 40-minute boat ride was a bit of an adventure, featuring a white-knuckled woman fighting for her life to stay put in her seat (yours truly) and a captain who kept looking back, big smiles and all, to flash a reassuring thumbs up every now and then, all while ever-increasing waves crashed against the boat. It could have all been a bit much, but the sight of the captain's assistant nonchalantly watching YouTube videos in the seat in front of me put my hyperbolic fears to rest.  

The bumpy ride proved well worth it when I arrived at Nujuma (Arabic for stars), and was promptly whisked to my over-water villa, offering unobstructed views of endless blue waters and the approaching sunset. There are 63 villas in total, both over-water and on the beach, and each shell-inspired domed structure comes with a private pool and offers complete privacy while simultaneously giving full access to the views with floor-to-ceiling windows in all rooms, as well as a telescope to stargaze at the light-pollution-free night sky. 

The first thing that will strike you about Nujuma is a true feeling of otherworldliness. Courting a high-end clientele, Nujuma seems like the perfect getaway for a celebrity looking for a discreet holiday or a honeymooning couple wanting some privacy. 

Each villa also has a personal host to handle all guest requests. The service of Jeddah-born Omar, who was assigned to my room, was exceptional and he was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about both the Kingdom and the Red Sea. 

When it comes to dining, Nujuma provides four excellent options. Sita, the all-day restaurant, was my favorite, combining the delicacies of a French patisserie with a Levantine eatery. The shakshuka and the chocolate pain perdu with a side of fresh berries remain standouts. If the weather is fine, I’d recommend enjoying your meal outdoors under the arched woven-wood ceiling.

A shot of Sita. (Supplied)

The seafood outpost Tabrah (Arabic for “luckiest catch”) is a charming villa-style restaurant where you can sample everything from the catch of the day to lobster to a seafood paella that will have you asking for a second helping. 

The alfresco Jamaa is the beach-side lounge offering light eats and incomparable sunset views, as you sit close to the outdoor pool and cabanas. 

Just indoors is Maia, a cozy “bar” with a roof dotted with twinkling constellations, and bartenders ready to whip up any mocktail you can think of. 

But for those looking for more than just food, drink and great views, Nujuma offers an array of activities, especially for those who’d like to learn more about the Kingdom. The Conservation House, for example, is dedicated to the culture and history of Saudi Arabia, and the resident historian is available for a chat with anyone who so desires. 

There’s also Sean Laughlin, a naturalist who gives talks on the ecology and marine life of the Red Sea, and who accompanied me on my very first snorkeling trip. The clearer-than-crystal waters give breathtaking views of the area’s coral reef system, the fourth largest in the world. 

Guests can also enjoy other outdoor activities like sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding and guided tours of the mangroves. 

On my last night at Nujuma, I also had the pleasure of talking to the charming house stargazer, Saudi astrophysicist Habib Bafeil, who, wielding his laser pen with the panache of Indiana Jones handling his whip, pointed out the constellations in the sky as he told stories of the pre-Islamic Arabs who navigated the deserts using the stars alone. Families travelling with children especially will love this particular activity, which will spark their curiosity in science and the world around us. 

All in all, Nujuma offers a getaway like no other. 

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