It was raining just before the stars hit the red carpet at the Global Gift Gala, the Dubai International Film Festival’s (Diff) charity event, on Friday night but that did not dampen the spirit of the celebrity guests or their sense of giving at the star-studded auction.
Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody, who donated his own painting, nudged the well-heeled guests to loosen their purse strings and bid for a worthy cause. The proceeds from the gala will benefit Dubai Cares and a host of charity organisations such as Harmony House.
“As an actor and a celebrity, I think we should use our awareness to help educate children. They are our future… I am here tonight as an actor and as a painter and it’s a beautiful thing for me. Anything that I can do to bring a positive change in the world, I am open to doing it,” said Brody to reporters ahead of the gala dinner. The bidding for his abstract painting began at $20,000 (Dh73,450) and was sold for $42,000.
The Pianist star also used the platform to speak about his new heist film, Bullet Head. “The movie touches upon change, a relevant concept in today’s times.”
“We must educate our children and support this wonderful cause. If don’t educate our future generations, then we are all screwed,” said Brody, who is on the wrong side of the law in his latest thriller.
Brody also guest stars on season four of the hit show, Peaky Blinders.
RAISING THE STAKES
The other covetable items that went under the gavel included a painting of hand-prints from the world-renowned artist, Sacha Jafri. The massive painting had hand impressions of a galaxy of actors including Irrfan Khan, Sonam Kapoor and Sir Patrick Stewart. The painting was sold for a whopping $275,000. Brody also jumped on stage and gave his own hand impression to amp up the bid.
Singer Vanessa Williams, who was honoured with the Global Gift Excellence Award, was her vivacious self on the red carpet as she spoke about how well this “wonderful city of Dubai” was treating her.
“I have already been to the Burj Khalifa and tomorrow I will be going for the desert safari. I landed straight on the red carpet of the opening night of Diff and here I am now speaking to you women. It’s been exciting,” said Williams, who’s currently working on her new album and a couple of new television shows.
When asked about the trend of Hollywood actresses speaking openly about sexual misconduct, Williams threw her weight behind the cause.
“It’s disturbing… Every day I am constantly surprised at the new group of people that are exposed. I am very proud that women are standing up and being heard,” Williams told Gulf News tabloid!. She was accompanied by her mother, who was celebrating her 78th birthday that night. The Save The Best For Last singer came up on stage later that night to pay tribute to her mother.
Alesha Dixon, the reality show judge from the UK and the honorary chair for the night, dialled up the glamour quotient of the evening. She said she’s a regular visitor to Dubai and was here two weeks ago to celebrate on a yacht.
“If you have a following or a platform, it is important for celebrities to use it responsibly. Politicians aren’t the most popular people in the world and if we can bridge the gap — singers and actors — it helps to get the message [about charity] quicker. Look at Leonardo Di Caprio and how he has used the platform so responsibly. People relate to it and respond to it,” said Dixon.
When asked how she looks so impeccable on the red carpet, Dixon said she has an amazing ‘glam squad’ behind her looks.
“But the most important thing is not to take it too seriously and enjoying it. If we are having fun, the audiences are having fun.”
True to her word, it was a relaxed evening as the UAE’s wealthiest set joined forces to make the world a better place.
But the best was saved for the last. Singer Luis Fonsi, behind the monster hit Despacito, hit the stage after midnight and urged people to help re-build Puerto Rico after hurricane Maria caused extensive damage to the islands.
“You all look beautiful tonight and it’s my first time performing Despacito in a tuxedo, so this is going to be interesting,” said Fonsi before belting out his hit. Ironically, he added that the funds raised on Friday would go towards re-building the island in which the song Despacito was filmed.
Fonsi also managed to do the impossible. His performance prompted the strait-laced black-tie guests to get up from their seats and dance the night away.
