Elyanna shares backstage footage after ‘SNL’ debut
Elyanna shares backstage footage after ‘SNL’ debut /node/2574256/lifestyle
Elyanna shares backstage footage after ‘SNL’ debut
Palestinian Chilean singer Elyanna made her “Saturday Night Live” debut over the weekend, teaming up with frequent collaborators Coldplay on stage to perform their new song, “We Pray.” (Instagram)
Elyanna shares backstage footage after ‘SNL’ debut
Updated 07 October 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: Palestinian Chilean singer Elyanna made her “Saturday Night Live” debut over the weekend, teaming up with frequent collaborators Coldplay on stage to perform their new song, “We Pray.” The singer took to Instagram to celebrate the milestone after the show by re-posting footage of backstage rehearsals recorded minutes before she hit the stage.
Elyanna and the British band were joined on stage by Argentine singer and actress Tini, also a featured artist on the track. Elyanna also released her own Arabic-language version of the song on Sept. 20.
Coldplay also performed their new track “All My Love” from their new album “Moon Music,” which was released on Friday.
Elyanna is set to perform live with Coldplay again when the band heads to Abu Dhabi for four shows in the UAE capital in January 2025. The band will perform as part of the “Music of the Spheres World Tour” on Jan. 9, 11, 12 and 14 at Zayed Sports City Stadium.
The “SNL” performance comes just days after the 22-year-old also appeared at iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas to perform the same song.
In August, she took to the stage in Dublin to perform “We Pray” in Arabic. She performed alongside rapper Little Simz, Nigerian singer Burna Boy and Tini.
“I’m still in awe of last night! Sharing this moment with all these amazing artists on @coldplay’s stage felt so wholesome,” she wrote to her 1.7 million followers on Instagram. “I sang ‘We Pray’ in Arabic, I sang for hope and most importantly for my hometown Palestine.”
Bahraini artist Salman Alnajem seeks to ‘learn from the wisdom of the past’
Updated 07 October 2024
Sulafa Alkhunaizi
RIYADH: Using heavy industrial materials as a canvas may be unconventional to some, but to Bahraini painter Salman Alnajem, it is the perfect backdrop for his exploration of ancient civilizations, technology, religion, and mythology.
The artist has exhibited his works in solo and group exhibitions in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UK, France and Italy and holds a master’s in fine art from London’s Royal College of Art.
In his most recent project, “Cosmic Perspectives,” Alnajem painted a series of small and mid-scale artworks bursting with color.
“I'm making these paintings on steel that have a lot of these religious references … I aim to find remnants and clues of ancient-advanced-civilisations that seemingly were capable of building the most magnificent monolithic monuments to learn from the wisdom of the past, to bring it into the present, to create a better future.”
Alnajem’s artwork explores “a vast amount of knowledge that is encrypted in ancient symbols.”
“Trying to find answers to how and why the Pyramids, Stonehenge and countless other monolithic sites were built. How did the ancients have such a comprehensive understanding of architecture, astronomy and astrology? In doing so I keep finding connections, and similarities between disparate ancient cultures that are hundreds of years and kilometres apart. Almost as if they are telling the same story, in different languages,” the artist said.
Alnajem’s painting process begins with compiling images from his research which he turns into a collage-like digital sketch.
“These images are then arranged in a process that is similar to abstract painting. Usually an abstract painter’s first mark abstractly informs the next. In my process the placement of a symbol informs, indicates, and inspires the next.”
Coining his own artistic style called “abstract symbolism,” Al-Najem said he disentangles and assembles complex societal, mythological, and spiritual matters to present them in a simple-compositionally-harmonic way.
“I do so by creating complex paintings using simple-common symbols from popular culture, contemporary life and antiquity.”
For Alnajem, painting isn’t about making aesthetically pleasing pictures, but a way to create energy.
“My art is not something the viewer should ‘get.’ The artwork’s role is to ‘get’ the viewer ... when we look at a piece of art, we agree to open our minds to receive it. Art makes us more sensitive, when an artist is able to create small details that draw us in, to lean into the painting, that's us being a little more sensitive. Art, in its truest form, is an expression of the soul.”
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani superstar Fawad Khan and Bollywood’s Vaani Kapoor have started shooting their upcoming romantic comedy film “Abir Gulaal” at locations in and around London, Variety reported on Monday.
The film, which will be shot in the UK over October and November, is directed by Aarti S. Bagdi and produced by Indian Stories, A Richer Lens and Aarjay Pictures. Its producers include Vivek B. Agrawal, Avantika Hari and Rakesh Sippy.
“The film explores the journey of two individuals who unintentionally help each other heal, with love blossoming as an unexpected consequence,” Bagdi told Variety.
Khan enjoys heartthrob status in both Pakistan and India and has played the lead in Bollywood hits “Khoobsurat” (2014) and “Kapoor & Sons” (2016). He also starred in “Ms. Marvel” (2022) and “The Legend of Maula Jatt” (2022), Pakistan’s biggest hit of all time. The Indian release of “Maula Jatt” is currently on hold after a right-wing fringe group objected to it. Khan is also the lead of hit Zindagi series “Barzakh,” which debuted at Series Mania in 2023.
Kapoor, who won critical acclaim playing a transgender character in film “Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui” (2021), is also the lead in upcoming Netflix crime thriller series “Mandala Murders” and coming-of-age Bollywood drama-comedy “Badtameez Gill.”
The “Abir Gulaal” producers said:
“Fawad has a massive global fan base, and we anticipate that audiences and his fans will wholeheartedly embrace this film, as it showcases him in his most endearing role yet,” Abir Gulaal producers said in a statement. “The chemistry between Fawad and Vaani is expected to light up the screen with their captivating performances and undeniable charm.”
Since 2016, there has been an unofficial ban on Pakistani artists working in Indian films, following political disputes between the two countries. However, in 2023, the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition seeking to officially ban Pakistani artists from working in India.
“Arts, music, sports, culture, dance, and so on are the activities which rise above nationalities, cultures, and nations and truly bring about peace, tranquility, unity, and harmony in nation and between nations,” the court had said in its ruling.
DUBAI: Jordanian Romanian luxury shoe designer Amina Muaddi took to Instagram to celebrate her win at the PETA Vegan Awards 2024.
Muaddi won the award for Best Vegan Heels in the Fashion category for her stylish Brito Slipper heels crafted from plexiglass and TPU.
“I won a @peta award for the Brito,” she wrote on Instagram Stories and shared a photo of the award.
Now in their 11th year, the PETA Vegan Awards celebrate fashion companies and designers dedicated to creating animal-friendly clothing, shoes, accessories and bags. The 2024 winners include Berlin-based GmbH for its innovative leather biker jacket and Armedangels for its eco-conscious recycled linen blazer, among others.
Last month, Muaddi unveiled her latest pair of heels on none other than Barbadian superstar Rihanna as the footwear mogul was spotted at Milan Fashion Week.
Muaddi created a custom-made pair of Anok mules for the singer in a shade called butter satin, which Muaddi showed off on Instagram before hitting the streets at the now-concluded Milan Fashion Week.
The designer attended shows by Ferragamo, The Attico and Gucci and showed off apparel by each of the brands as she sat in the front row.
She also turned heads at the Dior show at Paris Fashion Week last month, while French Saudi model Amira Al-Zuhair graced the runway for Danish fashion label Ganni.
Muaddi, who is a regular at Dior fashion shows, opted for a classic white button-down shirt and a sleek black satin pencil skirt. Her look was accessorized with a pair of dark, round sunglasses and a small, textured blue Dior handbag.
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.
Since the launch, Muaddi has enjoyed a series of successful events, notably her collaboration with Rihanna’s Fenty collection. This partnership was 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.
Tilda Swinton wears Maison Alaia as protesters interrupt film screening
Updated 06 October 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: British actress Tilda Swinton wore an all-black ensemble from Maison Alaia on the red carpet at the New York Film Festival screening of her film “The Room Next Door.”
The simple design from the label, which was founded by late Tunisian couturier Azzedine Alaia, featured a black sweater and skirt, which Swinton paired with bright red heels.
According to a report by Deadline, the post-screening Q&A for “The Room Next Door” was interrupted by protesters chanting in support of Palestine as well as Lebanon, the recent target of Israeli airstrikes.
A spokesperson told Deadline: “Two individuals held a banner and shouted slogans in the theater during the Q&A following the NYFF screening of Pedro Almodovar’s film ‘The Room Next Door.’ They were peacefully escorted out.”
The protest reportedly drew some applause, along with some shouts calling for them to “go away.” Director Almodovar gave the group a chance to be heard as he and Swinton helped diffuse the situation.
“The Room Next Door” is Spanish filmmaker Almodovar’s first English-language movie. The picture won the Golden Lion at its Venice Film Festival world premiere as well as the Brian Award for Almodovar.
Swinton described the protest as “a dignifying thing for this festival,” adding: “These interruptions are uncomfortable, but they’re necessary, and it is relevant to our film. Syria is the room next door, Beirut, Gaza. Pedro’s film asks us not to look away.”
REVIEW: Zelda’s ‘Echoes of Wisdom’ brings puzzle magic
Updated 06 October 2024
James Denselow
LONDON: Nintendo’s biggest release of 2024 brings us back to the rich world of “The Legend of Zelda” series, but with a fresh perspective.
For the first time, Princess Zelda steps into the spotlight, taking charge of the adventure in a bold 2D experience that occasionally switches to side-scrolling segments.
Directed by Tomomi Sano — the first female to do so in the “Zelda” series — the game balances a love for nostalgic gameplay with clever, innovative mechanics, although some aspects feel more limited compared with its open-world predecessors like “Breath of the Wild” and “Tears of the Kingdom.”
While the series is known for its combat and exploration, “Echoes of Wisdom” shifts focus to something more puzzle oriented. Players will rely on Zelda’s new weapon, the Tri Rod, which creates echoes of objects or enemies previously encountered. This opens the door to creative gameplay, where using everyday items such as beds, pots and meat to solve puzzles feels just as rewarding as traditional swordplay. For instance, beds are cleverly used as stairs, pots disguise Zelda from enemies, and meat can distract foes, allowing for stealthier approaches.
This change in combat design might feel odd for diehard fans expecting direct sword-to-sword battles, but it makes for a refreshing take that emphasizes strategy over brute force. There is still a sword, but it is available only for limited stretches of time, making you think more carefully about when to use it. The shift to problem-solving does make the game feel slightly less challenging; the difficulty never feels overwhelming, and getting stuck is almost impossible due to its tight design.
The game plot’s mysterious force — the purple space-like rifts — steal people away, including Link himself. Zelda’s journey involves collecting spirits to repair these rifts, leading to an emotional narrative with plenty of text-heavy storytelling. As you progress, you’ll encounter an evil version of Link, adding intrigue and raising the stakes. While some may find the abundance of dialogue a bit heavy handed, it contributes to a deeper, more fleshed-out story.
The world map is expansive and includes eight dungeons, although it is not on the huge scale of the open-world adventures from previous entries. The structured world feels more like a throwback to older titles in the series, but it lacks the same sense of vastness and discovery that made “Breath of the Wild” a fan favorite. However, the charm lies in its design, with each area offering something unique, like the option to ride a cute horse that makes traversal more fun.
From a visual standpoint, “Echoes of Wisdom” stays true to the series’ roots, blending familiar 2D graphics with occasional side-scrolling moments. The art direction is simple yet effective, evoking a sense of nostalgia while still feeling modern enough to keep players engaged. The same goes for the music, which echoes classic “Zelda” themes while introducing a few new tracks that complement the gameplay beautifully.
Yet there are moments where the game struggles, particularly when several enemies flood the screen, leading to a noticeable drop-in frame rate. This does not ruin the experience but can be jarring during more chaotic moments.
With a playtime of about 12 to 16 hours, “Echoes of Wisdom” delivers a tightly crafted adventure that feels like a tribute to the old-school “Zelda” games. It may not have the enormous scope or freedom of recent entries, but its creative puzzles, clever use of objects, and a compelling story starring Princess Zelda make it a worthwhile journey for fans of the series.
While not perfect, “Echoes of Wisdom” is a charming addition to the “Zelda” legacy, offering a different kind of adventure that feels at once nostalgic and fresh, with a few surprises along the way.
