[Discussion] DIFF 2009: Dubai International Film Festival 2009

[kaytee]

The films this year are not very impressive. They have stuck only MOE as the venue with Madinat Jumeirah supporting with big screenings.

[shariqq]

Weird, because REEL was supposed to be involved. I'm going through the films now, and nothing too impressive. A major disappointment: no White Ribbon or Thirst.

[fizz]

The first time that a Palm D'or winner doesn't play since the festival's inception. Strange.

Also, no Up in the Air.

Well, at least A Prophet from France is playing, which everyone here should try and see.

[fizz]

DIFF, you dumb asses, where is The Road, The men who stare at goats, In the Loop, Precious, A serious man, 500 days of summer, Paranormal activity, Rudo Y Cursi, Lovely bones....

Oh, and thanks for putting Avatar up there 2 days before the UAE release on a regular screen.

[ayaa1977]

I have read a big chunk of the program, and aside from the nonevent of showing Avatar two days ahead of its proper release, I would have loved to see the following:

1. Nine (This one is gonna be one of the 10 Best Picture Nominees unless it is a total debacle)
2. Brothers (it is because of Jim Sheridan whom I loved his film In America)
3. Fantastic Mr. Fox
4. Good Hair
5. Broken Embraces
6. Metropia
7. Mother and Child (The Naomi Watts factor)

However, I would agree with Fizz's assessment that the lineup is not strong enough, compared with the films you guys mentioned that were screened last year.

[ak]

Overall, it seems this year's selections are pretty lackluster. As Fizz notes, how the hell could DIFF miss out on the fucking Palme d'Or winner The White Ribbon? I am personally very furious about this.

So far, this is what jumped out at me immediately as something I'd be interested in seeing:

The Refuge (Francois Ozon)
Broken Embraces (Pedro Almodovar)
Mother and Child (Rodrigo Garcia)
Avatar (James Cameron) -- as Fizz points out, why the hell would I want to see it on the regular screen? Where's the Reel Cinemas connection? That could have provided the 3D facility for projection.

One could also say The Fantastic Mr. Fox or Nine or Brothers, but that one would not be me.

Anyway, the less-than-hot selections this year are just as well, because I was going to focus on the short films and really really indie features anyway...(actually that's a BS excuse -- the choices this year are quite limited and uninspired. But wait, there's Drew Barrymore's Whip It!. Yay! We are saved!)

[ayaa1977]

One could also say The Fantastic Mr. Fox or Nine or Brothers, but that one would not be me.

Guilty as charged, lol. Anyway, I think the excitement of gathering together and discussing films later would be great for you guys, and of that I am so envious. Anyway may be the lack of big names will lead you to discover some small gems, so that actually might work in your benefit.

[ak]

Anyway may be the lack of big names will lead you to discover some small gems, so that actually might work in your benefit.

We love to discover smaller films and champion them, but DIFF was 'obligated' to fulfill certain expectations. Once again, no The White Ribbon? I am baffled.

[shariqq]

Nine is only playing for opening night. So no sense mentioning it.

My first-draft list is mostly of unknowns, I'll go with gut feeling for lots of films. It has worked well in the past. That said, the ones I'm looking forward to the most are:

FANTASTIC MR. FOX
THE REFUGE
MOON
THE MILK OF SORROW
BROTHERS
MOTHER AND CHILD
BROKEN EMBRACES
WELL DONE, ABBA

[ak]

I remember the good ol' days of DIFF Year 1 thru Year 3, when I could pick out at least 10 movies after just a moment's glance at the film roster. This year it hurts, like real bad.

[ayaa1977]

I remember the good ol' days of DIFF Year 1 thru Year 3, when I could pick out at least 10 movies after just a moment's glance at the film roster. This year it hurts, like real bad.

Poor AK who lives so far away from everything cinema that his only chance to watch good films was crashed with the lackluster lineup of DIFF.

Oh Wait a second, that is not you, you live in LA, so quit whining!!

[kaytee]

Glad to see that Shariq has Well Done, Abba on his list. Shyam Benegal is back after a long time. They have a poor selection of Asian films this year too, was expecting to see Road, Movie here but no luck on that front either. Maybe Uma D'cunha is not there anymore.

But very disappointing list of films this year. I think sticking to only one venue has also hurt them, coz the number of screens have reduced. I remember in the previous years we have a list of 20-25 movies that we wanted to see and this time that is done to 7-10. Sad.

[animatedude]

lol...and there HAS to be an Arab movie about the 80's Lebanon war...and i'm sure there's a movie about a religious woman who lost her faith in god because she lost her virginity while looking for he lost child.

[ak]

I remember the good ol' days of DIFF Year 1 thru Year 3, when I could pick out at least 10 movies after just a moment's glance at the film roster. This year it hurts, like real bad.

Poor AK who lives so far away from everything cinema that his only chance to watch good films was crashed with the lackluster lineup of DIFF.

Oh Wait a second, that is not you, you live in LA, so quit whining!!

You're actually right. After a good night's sleep, I feel very Zen now; the DIFF lineup is mediocre and it is a shame, but I can certainly live with it. Now on to other things...

[animatedude]

boys...can your eyes open for a Bahraini movie called "haneen", a friend is starring in this and she is about to kick some ass!