- Title: Hollywood stars light up Dubai Film Festival
- Date: 8th December 2016
- Summary: ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) ACTOR, SAMUEL L JACKSON, SAYING: "There are a lot, a lot, a lot of Arab films being shown and a lot of female film makers and young people, so I'm sure the voice and the view of what we'll see of the Arab world will be very different than what we see in the papers. It's always wonderful to hear those voices, to see what that experience is for those young people that are coming up in the world trying to put their voices into the mix and letting people know that their life is a certain way, and what we can learn from watching their experiences and how we share the same experiences more likely than not." VARIOUS OF GUESTS/CELEBRITIES POSING FOR PICTURES VARIOUS OF COMPOSER GABRIEL YARED ON THE RED CARPET, POSING FOR PICTURES, WALKING, TALKING TO THE PRESS JOURNALISTS, GUESTS/CELEBRITIES ON THE RED CARPET (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) COMPOSER, GABRIEL YARED, SAYING: "Who could refuse such an award. It's so rewarding and I'm very touched because, as I have said many times, this is arriving in an Arab country from the Arabs; and I am Lebanese, I am deeply Lebanese, although I have a French nationality, but it brings me back to my real origins." CELEBRITY POSING FOR A PICTURE JOURNALISTS, GUESTS ON THE RED CARPET (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) ACTOR, JAKE LACY, SAYING: "I mean I've been cynical so have believed that legislation is a sort of stew of influences and I'm hugely proud to be a part of something that is at least being a part of that conversation. I hope that people here respond to it in the same way. It's a mess in the U.S. right now; it's a mess. I don't know that this film directly deals with the elements that are sort of bubbling to the surface right now in U.S. politics, but I still think it's hugely important that we admit that billionaires are calling the shots, publicly or privately." VARIOUS OF GUESTS/CELEBRITIES POSING FOR PICTURES, WALKING THE RED CARPET DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CHAIRMAN ABDULHAMID JUMA WALKING THE RED CARPET WITH SHEIKH MANSOUR BIN MOHAMMED BIN RASHED AL MAKTOUM
- Embargoed: 23rd December 2016 12:39
- Keywords: Dubai International Film Festival Samuel L Jackson Jake Lacy Gabriel Yared
- Location: DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
- City: DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
- Country: United Arab Emirates
- Reuters ID: LVA0035C0TNIT
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: American actor Samuel L. Jackson was among a host of regional and international movie stars, producers, and directors that lit up the red carpet in Dubai for the opening of the International Film Festival on Wednesday (December 7).
The Hollywood star of Pulp Fiction, Shaft and The Long Kiss Goodnight received a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to cinema over his more than four decades in the industry.
Jackson has appeared in more than 100 films. The actor told Reuters Television that he has no intention of slowing down as he prepares to celebrate his 68th birthday later this month.
Speaking to reporters on the red carpet, Jackson said he was impressed at the number of Arab films being screened at this year's festival, now in its 13th year.
Opening night showcased the American political thriller "Miss Sloane," a story that follows a ruthless and unyielding lobbyist.
Speaking to reporters on the red carpet, "Miss Sloane" actor, Jake Lacy, said he was proud to be part of a film that dealt with such a "hugely important" issue. With a heavy sigh, Lacy said "it's a mess in the U.S. right now," referring to the political earthquake in America following Donald Trump's presidential victory last month, and he conceded that he wasn't sure if the film addresses the "elements that are sort of bubbling to the surface right now in U.S. politics but I still think it's hugely important that we admit that billionaires are calling the shots, publicly or privately."
The Lebanese-French composer, Gabriel Yared said he was "very touched" to be honoured with the Arab lifetime achievement award.
The Beirut-born composer scored the 1999 hit 'The Talented Mister Ripley' which earned him an Oscar nomination.
The festival will run for eight days and will showcase more than 150 films in 44 different languages from 55 countries. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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