Cloud7 Residence AlUla: A dreamy home away from home  

Cloud7 Residence AlUla: A dreamy home away from home  
Cloud7 Residence AlUla features 301 modern bungalows. (Supplied)
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Cloud7 Residence AlUla: A dreamy home away from home  

Cloud7 Residence AlUla: A dreamy home away from home  
  • The gated resort is an ideal place from which to explore the ancient desert oasis  

ALULA: Roughly half an hour’s drive from AlUla’s Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Cloud7 Residence is the largest hotel in the area, boasting 301 modern bungalows. Each unit is thoughtfully designed, featuring individual private terraces from which guests can enjoy awe-inspiring views of AlUla’s stunning landscapes — mountains and lush greenery.  

Cloud7’s decor blends the ancient with the trendy. Coupled with the traditional Saudi hospitality on offer, this is a truly nice place to stay. It’s the chillest hotel/resort I’ve been to in ages. 




Inside one of the 301 bungalows at Cloud7 Residence. (Supplied)

The beds are comfortable and the rooms are well-equipped, including plenty of places to plug in your devices. There are eco-friendly products provided, including chewable toothpaste that comes in tiny pills in a glass jar, and which activates once you have some water in your mouth.  

The fridge comes stocked with complimentary sodas and plenty of water bottles at the ready — also useful for feeding into the coffee machine. 

The main mode of transportation in the grounds, whether taking your luggage to your room, going to breakfast or to relax by the pool, or heading to your next activity, is a buggy. There was usually one right outside my door each time I emerged from my bungalow, but if there isn’t, you can simply call for one. 




The swimming pool at Cloud7 Residence AlUla. (Supplied)

The residence is an ideal base for both short- and long-term stays, designed to accommodate the needs of leisure seekers, adventure enthusiasts and business travelers alike in its secure, gated space. 

As part of the residence’s commitment to honoring local heritage, a series of murals created by local artists adorn the walls. Artists including Hanan Sami and Maram AlSelayem brought their individual styles to the project, creating pieces that highlight AlUla’s natural beauty and heritage. The venue’s community and culture manager, Fahad Alfaqir, said the artists who painted the murals are all from AlUla, as he is, and that they depicted local plants and flowers to decorate the spaces and used inscriptions from indigenous languages.  

Cloud7 Residence AlUla’s dining experiences range from gourmet meals to relaxed, family-friendly options. Charcood, the resort’s signature restaurant, offers a selection of smoky, charcoal-grilled dishes crafted by Chef Jaume Puigdengolas. Open for breakfast, dinner, and light bites, it was my go-to place to start the day. 




One of the murals at Cloud7. (Supplied)

For those who prefer a more casual atmosphere, Off-Road Café serves lunch, dinner and light snacks in a laidback setting, perfect for watching live sports or movies on large screens. Guests can enjoy playing pool, darts and foosball, or indulge in some shisha outside. 

For those seeking a relaxing time away from being away, the Pool Lounge offers casual dining with comfortable beanbags and a curated menu of international flavors, all presented poolside. It was perhaps my favorite spot to sit and literally reflect while the serene water reminds you to stay centered. 

Cloud7 Residence AlUla is also in a prime location for exploring AlUla’s many historical sites. Visitors can easily reach attractions like the ancient city of Dadan, Jabal Ikmah’s rock inscriptions and — my favorite — Old Town. You can book guided tours, but the hotel also provides car and bike rentals. 

Cloud7 Residence AlUla is more than just somewhere to stay; it’s an invitation to connect with the timeless beauty of AlUla — a place which makes you feel so big and so small all at once. 


REVIEW: ‘Time Cut’ — modern twist on classic slashers ends up disappointing 

REVIEW: ‘Time Cut’ — modern twist on classic slashers ends up disappointing 
(L-R) Antonia Gentry as Summer and Madison Bailey as Lucy in 'Time Cut'
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REVIEW: ‘Time Cut’ — modern twist on classic slashers ends up disappointing 

REVIEW: ‘Time Cut’ — modern twist on classic slashers ends up disappointing 
  • Netflix time-travel caper is a little light on substance 

LONDON: In case you missed it, slasher films are back! Sure, it’s not quite that late Nineties/early Noughties heyday of “Scream” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” but they’re back, nonetheless. Because it’s 2024, though, the humble slasher now rarely exists in its original form. Rather, an increasing number of writers and directors are fusing the tropes of classic slasher films with other genres. “Freaky” added body-swap magic to the mix, “Happy Death Day” was part-slasher, part-“Groundhog Day,” and “It’s A Wonderful Knife” blended Christmas classic with horror comedy. 

So it’s no real surprise to learn that Netflix’s uninspiringly named “Time Cut” is a time-travel-meets-slasher-meets-nostalgia-romp which sees “Outer Banks” star Madison Bailey play Lucy, a high-school student inadvertently transported back in time to 2003, just days before her sister Summer (“Ginny & Georgia” star Antonia Gentry) was murdered by an unknown serial killer. 

Director and co-writer Hannah MacPherson (working with “Freaky” and “It’s A Wonderful Knife” writer Michael Kennedy) leans heavily into the nostalgia, draping the smalltown-America setting with velour tracksuits, Sony Discmans and a soundtrack that includes Vanessa Carlton, Wheatus, Hilary Duff, Avril Lavigne. And dial-up modems, much to Lucy’s disgust. There’s a joke or two to be had at the foibles of the time period, but, to be honest, the world was pretty good back then, so some of the more pointed sneers feel a little unnecessary. 

And it’s not MacPherson’s last odd decision. Despite the best efforts of the two fairly likable leads, “Time Cut” feels largely populated by cookie-cutter characters who represent the worst of some pretty dated stereotypes — sending up boorish jocks, disconnected parents and cliquey high schoolers feels a little mean-spirited.  

And, for a film with a surprising amount of attention on the mechanics of time travel, there seems scant regard for how it actually works. Rather, there’s a series of unimaginative (and relatively tame) kills, a predictable villain, and no real big idea — unless you count ‘Wouldn’t it be funny to send a teenager from 2024 back to a time when her iPhone doesn’t work?’ 


Pakistani teen captivates social media with intricate leaf art

Pakistani teen captivates social media with intricate leaf art
Updated 06 November 2024
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Pakistani teen captivates social media with intricate leaf art

Pakistani teen captivates social media with intricate leaf art
  • Kamran Khan, 19, specializes in making intricate designs, patterns and portraits on dried leaves
  • Artist says social media has played “huge role” in expanding his outreach, he also takes orders online

PESHAWAR: A young Pakistani artist based in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has captivated social media with his unusual canvas: plant leaves. 
From a small corner in Peshawar city’s bustling Storytellers’ Market, popularly known as Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Kamran Khan carves intricate portraits on delicate leaves, blending tradition with artistry and earning a growing online fan base.
Originally from Bajaur in Pakistan’s tribal belt, the 19-year-old artist moved to Peshawar for his education and livelihood and is now a third-semester political science student at the city’s historic Islamia College. While he has to balance his studies and a small family business he helps run, he also finds moments in between to pursue his passion.
“I have been doing art and drawing since childhood, but then I thought of taking it in a new direction to make it more unique,” he told Arab News in an interview this week. “I started practicing leaf art. I watched a video from where I decided to adopt the idea since it felt different.”

Pakistani artist Kamran Khan speaks during an interview with Arab News in Peshawar on October 31, 2024. (AN Photo)

Khan specializes in leaf carving, carefully etching designs and images into the surface of leaves, often using blades to create detailed scenes and portraits. The process requires a firm hand, patience and precision to avoid damaging the delicate structure of the leaf. He also uses a special kind of leaf that is dried for two days before it is ready to be used. 
The artist has made hundreds of portraits and designs, including images of politicians, artists, tribal elders, celebrities and world leaders.
Carving the logo of Arab News, he said, “I have sketched many leaders. I made the sketch of [Saudi Crown Prince] Mohammed bin Salman and uploaded its video on TikTok.”

This photo, taken on October 31, 2024, shows Pakistani artist Kamran Khan’s artwork featuring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during an interview with Arab News in Peshawar. (AN Photo)
 

Social media had played a “huge role” in expanding his outreach, Khan said. 
“I take orders [to create art] using social media platforms, from TikTok, Instagram and Facebook,” he said. “International orders also come in, often requesting videos only. Orders are also placed for leaf art in physical frames, and we can adjust to both.”
Khan’s dedication was rewarded when a piece featuring Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a Pakistani politician who became the chief minister of Punjab after the last general elections, caught her attention.

In this photo, taken and released by Punjab Chief Minister office on October 9, 2024, shows Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz receives artwork, featuring her portrait, created by Kamran Khan in Lahore. (Photo courtesy: Facebook/Maryam Nawaz)

“I made a video of Maryam Nawaz’s sketch, and then she picked up my [work] from the social media platform and invited me over,” he added. “When we reached the CM House in Lahore to meet her, she appreciated [my work] and gave me a cash prize.”
Sharing his future plans, he said that he wanted to represent Pakistan on the world stage.
“I strive to promote our province and culture through this art,” he said, “and would love to represent my country Pakistan as well.”


Dubai Design Week returns with brand new fair: Dubai Editions

Dubai Design Week returns with brand new fair: Dubai Editions
Updated 06 November 2024
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Dubai Design Week returns with brand new fair: Dubai Editions

Dubai Design Week returns with brand new fair: Dubai Editions
  • As large-scale architectural and design installations take over the Gulf metropolis, the inaugural Dubai Editions is set to offer a mix of art, design and prints to appeal to the city’s changing demographics

DUBAI: Until Nov. 10, visitors to Dubai Design District can relish in riveting large-scale design installations, exhibitions and fairs dedicated to high-end and collectible design objects from the Gulf, wider Middle East and international markets.

The annual event, now in its 10th year, will present over 500 designers, professionals and brands from various creative industries, transforming the bustling UAE metropolis into a global hub for design and art.

Numerous returning elements include Abwab, an annual commission showcasing talents from across Southwest Asia and North Africa, dedicated this year to the theme of vernacular architecture and regenerative design processes through the utilization of local materials, climate-responsive techniques and community-centered designs.

Abwab this year will feature three regional practices that will present their work in pavilions across the Dubai Design District. These include “Present/Absent Mudhif” by Ola Saad Znad from Iraq, portraying the Marsh Arabs’ architectural heritage in Iraq using reeds and ancient Sumerian techniques; “ReRoot” by Jordanian-Palestinian Dima Al Srouri, Andy Cartier from France, Rosa Hamalainen from Finland and Palestinian-Lebanese Dahlia Hamati exploring emergency housing solutions through an ecological lens using palm waste and mycelium; and “Material Witnesses and Narrating Lifeforms” by Miriam Hillawi Abraham from Ethiopia, which draws inspiration from coral stone found in early settlements on the East African coast.

Other notable returning platforms include workshops in the Maker’s Space and the weekend Marketplace, offering one-of-a-kind handcrafted objects and cuisine.

In a dedicated section within the 10th edition of Downtown Design will be the new fair titled Dubai Editions. Featured are over 50 galleries, design studios and collectives from the region and internationally presenting editioned artworks, collectible design objects and furniture and editioned prints.

The new fair reflects the changing demographic of Dubai, Pablo del Val, artistic director of Art Dubai, told Arab News.

“The fair is extremely exciting because it represents the shifts taking place in the city,” said Del Val. “There are many new generations of people that have recently moved to Dubai that have different collecting needs.

“People are beginning to buy properties that are arranged in new ways with different needs,” he added.

Participants include Dubai and New York-based Leila Heller; renowned Lebanese carpetmaker Iwan Maktabi, which opened its new flagship showroom in Dubai’s Jumeirah 3 featuring the first-ever global shop-in-shop for Italian contemporary rug company, cc tapis; Dastan from Tehran; Comptoir de Mines Galerie from Marrakech; Studio Bazazo and Fadi Basbous Studio from Lebanon; and spaces from Dubai, including Gulf Photo Plus, The Urbanist, Meem Gallery and Zawyeh Gallery.

“The fair offers a great concept of presenting works that are less expensive by our artists,” Leila Heller told Arab News. “Our artists became so inspired to create new prints and sculptures that are available in editions. The fair also offers works on paper, so our artists have created smaller works in paper as well.”

Heller will present works by artists such as Farideh Lashai, Reza Aramesh, Keith Haring, Darvish Fakhr, Azza Al Qubaisi and Stephany Sanossian.

Iwan Maktabi is showing a carpet designed by acclaimed Emirati artist Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim. CEO Mohamed Maktabi said they switched their booth from Downtown Design to Dubai Editions and are launching what he calls “Iwan Maktabi: Artist Edition,” presenting the brand’s special carpet collaborations with artists.

While Dubai Design Week will offer much to see and experience, it represents a shift and growth in Dubai’s recent population that has sought out the Gulf city as a new place to call home.

As Del Val put it: “Everything starts to change when you belong to a community where you expect to live for a much longer period of time.

“This (fair) could be an incubator for things to come.”


Saudi films in the spotlight as RSIFF announces Arab Spectacular selection

Saudi films in the spotlight as RSIFF announces Arab Spectacular selection
Updated 06 November 2024
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Saudi films in the spotlight as RSIFF announces Arab Spectacular selection

Saudi films in the spotlight as RSIFF announces Arab Spectacular selection

DUBAI: The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) unveiled a five-film collection for its Arab Spectacular section, which features world premieres of three Saudi titles exploring societal changes in the Kingdom.

Antoine Khalife, director of Arab Programs & Film Classics for the RSIFF, said in a statement: “We know that our stories and the quality of the way we tell them deserve a place alongside other international films, which is why we are working hard to support and nurture our region’s filmmakers, providing them with a prestigious platform to present their work to international audiences, and facilitating networking opportunities with industry leaders.”

Among the Saudi films is “My Driver and I,” the directorial debut of Saudi creative Ahd Kamel. Set in 1980s and 90s Jeddah, the film follows a rebellious Saudi girl and her Sudanese driver as they form a friendship which is tested when she starts to take the wheel.

“Hobal,” by Saudi director Abdulaziz Alshlahei, follows a Bedouin family whose members are forced by its patriarch to live in isolation in the desert due to fear of an infectious disease during the 1990s.

The third Saudi film to screen in the section is the much-anticipated “Lail Nahar,” directed by filmmaker Abdulaziz Almuzaini, who is behind popular Saudi TV series and movie “Masameer.” When a renowned opera singer faces backlash after a viral accusation of racism, he stuns the public by announcing plans to marry a black woman — only to scramble for a bride and find an unexpected connection with Layl, a wedding singer.

Rounding off RSIFF‘s Arab Spectacular selection is renowned Algerian filmmaker Merzak Allouache’s dramedy “Front Row,” about a feud that breaks out between matriarchs who are vying for the best spot at the beach; and Egyptian director Omar Bakry’s “Abdo & Saneya,” a silent, black-and-white film about an Egyptian couple who immigrates to New York City in search of a cure for infertility without having any notion of modern American life.


Gigi, Bella Hadid make a stylish splash in Seoul and Dubai for fashion and jewelry launches

Gigi, Bella Hadid make a stylish splash in Seoul and Dubai for fashion and jewelry launches
Updated 06 November 2024
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Gigi, Bella Hadid make a stylish splash in Seoul and Dubai for fashion and jewelry launches

Gigi, Bella Hadid make a stylish splash in Seoul and Dubai for fashion and jewelry launches

DUBAI: US Dutch Palestinian model Gigi Hadid spent time in Seoul this week to launch her fashion brand Guest in Residence at a pop-up event in the city, while her sister Bella Hadid was in Dubai for the opening of Chopard’s new boutique in Dubai Mall.

For the event, Gigi wore a piece from her own collection—a chic brown cashmere coat called the Grizzly Coat—styled with straight-leg jeans, black loafers and a gold necklace. She wore her blonde hair in a sleek bob, complemented by winged eyeliner and a mauve lip.

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The supermodel also shared glimpses of her time in Seoul on Instagram. She hosted a dinner for her guests, which included notable names from the music and fashion world, such as CL, leader of the K-pop girl group 2NE1.

CL posted a clip with Hadid on her Instagram welcoming her to Seoul and shared a look at the dinner’s star-studded guest list. Attendees included NewJeans members Hanni, Danielle, and Minji, “Squid Game” star Jung Ho-yeon and Korean American rapper Jay Park.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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The Guest in Residence pop-up is located in Seoul’s trendy Gangnam district and will run through Nov. 24.

Meanwhile, Bella surprised fans in Dubai on Tuesday with a visit to Dubai Mall. She joined Chopard’s creative director Caroline Scheufele for the ribbon-cutting ceremony before entering the boutique to meet with industry insiders and clients.

Bella Hadid touched down in the UAE this week. (Instagram) 

Later, she made a glamorous appearance at an after-party held at Jaipur Rugs in Alserkal Avenue. Wearing a flowing gold gown from Elie Saab’s Fall/ Winter 2004 Haute Couture collection, she smiled and waved to fans while mingling with guests and clients at the event.

Among the event's attendees was US Iraqi beauty mogul Huda Kattan, who posed for a photo with Bella and Scheufele.

Bella was named the new face and global ambassador for the luxury Swiss jewelry house in September.

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