[Discussion] DIFF 2009: Dubai International Film Festival 2009

[shariqq]

The Muhr Award Winners:

Muhr AsiaAfrica Short Films:
First Prize
Dyana Gaye for UN TRANSPORT EN COMMUN (SAINT LOUIS BLUES)
France, Senegal

Special Jury Prize
Sung-hee Jo for DON'T STEP OUT OF THE HOUSE
South Korea

Second Prize
Vinoo Choliparambil for VITTHAL
India

Muhr Arab Short Films:
First Prize
Bassam Ali Jarbawi for CHICKEN HEADS
Palestine

Special Jury Prize
Talal Khoury for 9AAB (9 AUGUST)
Lebanon

Second Prize
Aida Elkashef for RHAPSODY IN AUTUMN
Egypt

Special Mention
Mohammad Aldhahri for SHROUQ/GHROUB (SUNRISE/SUNSET)
Saudi Arabia

Muhr AsiaAfrica Documentary:
First Prize
Tokachi Tsuchiya for FUTSU NO SHIGOTO GA SHITAI (A NORMAL LIFE, PLEASE)
Japan

Special Jury Prize
Lloyd Ross for THE SILVER FEZ
South Africa

Second Prize
Jean-Marie Teno for LIEUX SAINTS (SACRED PLACES)
Cameroon, France



Muhr Arab Documentary:
First Prize
Zeina Daccache for 12 ANGRY LEBANESE – THE DOCUMENTARY
Lebanon

Special Jury Prize
Mai Iskander for GARBAGE DREAMS
USA

Second Prize
Bilal Yousef for AL AWDA ELA AL THAT (BACK TO ONE'S ROOTS)
Qatar, Palestine

Special Mention
Hakim Belabbes for ASHLAA (IN PIECES)
Morocco

Muhr AsiaAfrica - Feature
Best Screenplay
Eun-kyo Park and Bong Joon-ho for MOTHER
South Korea

Best Editor
Garreth Fradgley for SHIRLEY ADAMS
South Africa

Best Composer
Akritchalerm Kalayanamitr and Koichi Shimizu for NANG MAI (NYMPH)
Thailand, Netherlands

Best Cinematographer
Channa Deshapriya for AHASIN WETEI (BETWEEN TWO WORLDS)
Sri Lanka, France

Best Actor
Hasan Pourshirazi for KESHTZARHAYE SEPID (THE WHITE MEADOWS)
Iran

Best Actress
Denise Newman for SHIRLEY ADAMS
South Africa

Special Jury Prize
Mohammad Rasoulof for KESHTZARHAYE SEPID (THE WHITE MEADOWS)
Iran

Muhr Arab - Feature
Best Screenplay
Mariam Naoum for WAHED-SEFR (ONE-ZERO)
Egypt

Best Editor
Ahmed Dawood for ASAFEER EL NEEL (THE NILE BIRDS)
Egypt

Best Composer
Le Trio Joubran for ADIEU GARY (FAREWELL GARY)
France

Best Cinematographer
Nancy Abdel Fattah for WAHED-SIFR (ONE-ZERO)
Egypt

Best Actor
Said Bey for THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD
Morocco

Best Actress
Nisreen Faour for AMREEKA
USA, Canada, Kuwait

Special Mention
Shawkat Amin Korki for KICK OFF
Japan, Iraq

Special Jury Prize
Merzak Allouache for HARRAGAS
Algeria

Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Best Film
Brillante Mendoza for LOLA
France, Philippines

Muhr Arab Feature – Best Film
Michel Khleifi for ZINDEEQ
Palestine, United Kingdome, United Arab Emirates

[fizz]

Having read all of the reviews from DIFF (thanks ak, Mad and especially Shariqq), I'm surprised there was not a single film that was deserving of 5 stars. I'm sure some of the films were as good as what people said about them, but not a single outstanding effort? No Wrestler, no Cache, no The Return? While I'm sad in some ways to have missed this years festival (and after 5 years in a row, its a minor, minor loss), it doesn't seem like I missed anything that grand anyway. Many of the selections reek of mediocrity and this just shows in both the lack of excitement generated here on site and also in the media. I think its safe to say, DIFF faces strong competition from both MEIFF (the selections of which this year were much better) and the Doha Tribeca.

[shariqq]

Although I rarely hand out a 5/5 rating, there were some excellent films, but indeed no one movie that got me excited enough to put it near the year's best.

[ak]

...the year's best.

Speaking of which, have you guys begun work on your personal Best of 2009 list? Chop chop!

[shariqq]

I intend to get down to doing this once I'm back at work on Saturday. It's the best way to get through the 8 hours at a desk.

[fizz]

This years "best of" doesn't sound/look so appealing. I haven't even seen most of the critics top picks and sourcing stuff has been a bitch lately (*cough, WM Seedbox, cough*).

[ak]

I haven't even seen most of the critics top picks and sourcing stuff has been a bitch lately (*cough, WM Seedbox, cough*).

Ha ha, the WM Seedbox will soar in the very near future, hopefully!

There is no pressure to generate our personal/collective Best of 2009 and Best of Decade list immediately. As has been a WM tradition, we release such lists in February, before the Oscars...so there's time to reflect and research.

[ak]

Your last chance to watch DIFF Award winners. TODAY only at Cinestar (Mall of the Emirates):

http://www.dubaifilmfest.com/schedule_2009.php

[shariqq]

My personal Best and Worst of DIFF '09

Best
1. A Prophet
2. Broken Embraces
3. Mother
4. Amreeka
5. North

Worst
1. Earth's Women
2. The Man Who Sold The World
3. After The Downfall
4. My Dear Enemy
5. At The End Of Daybreak

[shariqq]

Announcement: DIFF-7 to be held from Dec. 12 to 19, 2010. (Book your leaves/Plan your holidays/bribe your wife in advance).

[ayaa1977]

Announcement: DIFF-7 to be held from Dec. 12 to 19, 2010. (Book your leaves/Plan your holidays/bribe your wife in advance).

Are you talking to me?

[shariqq]

I'm talking to everyone. Especially since the WM turnout at the last festival wasn't much. (And I'm not blaming anyone for intentionally not being there, before I'm asked to explain!)

[ayaa1977]

I'm talking to everyone. Especially since the WM turnout at the last festival wasn't much. (And I'm not blaming anyone for intentionally not being there, before I'm asked to explain!)

I will be there Insha Allah this time around if everything go as planned. Hopefully the films will be better this years and the group turnout as well. 

[kaytee]

Thanks for the heads up...lets hope I can attend this year...