Yousra Zaki, Guides Deputy Editor
La La Land
Genre: Musical and romance
Showtime: December 10 at 2pm at Madinat Arena
“I love a collaboration between Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. These two can do no wrong when they work together, especially when the setting of the story takes place in old Hollywood. Since I’m also a lover of musicals (they are rare on the big screen) I will definitely be watching this film.”
Manchester by the Sea
Genre: Drama
Showtime: December 11 at 2pm and December 14 at 8.45pm at Madinat Arena and Mall of the Emirates respectively
“I’m a huge fan of Casey Affleck, so I’m really looking forward to seeing him in such a dramatic role. The movie is said to be very powerful, and in a very beautiful setting. The rest of the cast is quite star-studded, [and includes] Michelle Williams, who plays Affleck’s wife, as well as Matt Damon and Kevin Walsh to name a few.”
The Founder
Genre: Biography, Drama and Historical
Showtime: December 10 at 9.30pm at Madinat Arena.
“I’m particularly excited about this real-life drama, because it shows how the founder of McDonald’s transformed a local burger restaurant into a multimillion dollar global fast-food chain.
The entertaining story is full of scandal and deceit, and takes place in a world where business is business, there’s nothing personal about it.”
— Karishma Nandkeolyar, Copy Editor
Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk
Genre: Drama
Showtime: December 8, 10.30pm at Madinat Arena
“While the story seems compelling, I’m most looking forward to seeing the results of the new filming techniques Life of Pi director Ang Lee has used — it’s been shot at a frame rate of 120 frames per second in 3D and 4K HD resolution — for this war story.”
The Birth of A Nation
Genre: Drama
Showtime: December 10, 9.30pm at Mall of the Emirates
“Nat Turner’s story tackles an impressive subject — the events leading to a slave rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia, in 1831. And if that were not enough, although the movie’s steeped in controversy, it’s managed to garner many awards — this piques my curiosity. The stills have also been impressive.”
Makhdoumin (A Maid For Each)
Genre: Documentary
Showtime: December 10, 6.45pm at Mall of the Emirates; December 13, 3.30pm, Mall of the Emirates
“This subject of this documentary — with Arabic and Amharic dialogues, and English subtitles — about the world of domestic helpers in Lebanon and the class system (wages vary as per their classification) is horrifyingly fascinating. I can’t wait to hear what’s perceived to be the rationale behind it.”
Dona Cherian, Guides Writer
The Teacher
Genre: Comedy and Drama
Showtime: December 9 (9.30pm) and 10 (6.30pm) at Mall of the Emirates
“I have always loved unique fusions of genre and this movie portrays a dark drama with comedic moments and intelligent storytelling. While the movie focuses on ‘the teacher’, aka Comrade Drazdechova, it brings to light the complicated political period at the time in Bratislava.”
Collateral Beauty
Genre: Drama
Showtime: December 13 at 7.30pm at Madinat Arena
“Sometimes all you need is a reply to your letter; I love movies that focus on getting back on your feet and understanding life’s many struggles. In this movie, Howard Inlet takes up writing letters — at first, to vent his feelings and then, when unbelievably he gets replies, to get over his personal tragedy and losses. Also, Will Smith plays the lead protagonist — reason enough!”
Jackie
Genre: Biography and Drama
Showtime: December 10 at 6.15pm; December 14 at 9.30pm at Mall of the Emirates
“I’m curious to see how Natalie Portman will portray the beautiful and elegant Jackie Kennedy. I generally love a historical film, so it should be interesting to see how this story will capture the essence of this enigmatic woman.”
Nathaniel Lacsina, Web Producer
Batman: The Movie
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy and Science Fiction
Showtime: December 13 at 7.30pm at The Beach (free screening).
“Batman: The Movie is a throwback to simpler stories and over-the-top action and a contrast to the recent slew of gritty comic book-inspired films. Intelligent, funny and a joy for those who miss the campy Batman before the Tim Burton films. Can’t wait to see this while lounging on bean bags.”
Nocturnal Animals
Genre: Drama and Thriller
Showtime: December 12 at 9.30pm at Madinat Arena.
“I’m initially drawn to this film by the powerhouse combination of fashion designer-turned-director Tom Ford and Oscar-nominated actors Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal. Based on Ford’s 2009 freshman outing, A Single Man, I’m sure I won’t be disappointed.”
Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Senior Reporter
Befikre (Hindi)
Genre: Romance and musical
Showtime: Red carpet gala premiere at Madinat Arena on Thursday, the film releases in the UAE cinemas on Thursday
“Two words: Ranveer Singh. If that dishy lad doesn’t lure you to watch this film, then find out how the famously reclusive director Aditya Chopra handles a love story about today’s young and the restless. While this romance has gained notoriety for its dozen and more lip-locks, something tells me that there’s more to Dharam and Paris-born Indian native Shyra (Vaani Kapoor) than just pulling fish faces.”
Mukti Bhavan (Hindi)
Genre: Drama, Cinema Of The World
Showtime: December 12 at 945pm at Mall Of The Emirates; December 14, 2pm, at Mall of the Emirates.
Actor Adil Hussain impressed me in English Vinglish and Parched. Give him any role and he will make it his own. In Mukti Bhavan, I am keen to find out how the relationship between an ageing father and son (Hussain) plays out when his father expresses his desire to make a journey to the holy city of Banaras before his death. The trailers indicate that the two aren’t on best terms and it’s always interesting to see family dynamics being dissected in a film.”
Mahbas (Solitaire, Arabic)
Genre: Comedy, drama
Showtime: December 11, 6pm, at Madinat Arena; December 14, 2.30pm, Mall Of The Emirates
“A comedy that explores the animosity against Syrians by a woman in Lebanon due to a personal tragedy makes for an interesting premise. There’s something heartening about watching a humorous film in a film festival filled with heavy, intense movies.”
Jennifer Barretto, Copy Editor
I Am Not Madame Bovary
Genre: Drama
Showtime: December 9 at 6.30pm, Mall of the Emirates; December 14 at 8.30pm, Mall of the Emirates.
“Fan Bingbing is a woman who takes on the system to get justice — slow, slow justice — in this drama that has already won a number of awards. I’m curious not only to see how her character’s 10-year legal battle goes, but to watch my first Chinese film. It’s also shot in a curious way; watch the trailer to find out what I’m talking about.”
Yom Lel Setat (A Day For Women)
Genre: Drama
Showtime: December 8 at 9.45pm, Souk Madinat Theatre; December 10 at 2.15pm, Vox 17, Mall of the Emirates.
“An Egyptian woman’s dream to wear a swimsuit comes true when a new pool opens and announces a women-only day. But as expected, there’s outrage. This movie supposedly has a happy ending, and nothing gives me more joy than women breaking the rules and living happily ever after.”
I, Daniel Blake
Genre: Drama
Showtime: December 13 at 6pm, Mall of the Emirates; December 14 at 5.45pm, Mall of the Emirates.
“Apart from rule-breaking, I also enjoy movies about love and compassion, and this one seems to be about that. Daniel Blake is a carpenter who struggles to claim welfare after a heart attack. In our troubled times, it’s nice to watch a movie about ordinary people and the things that matter.”
