Bringing the very best of independent cinema to film fans 365 days a year at DIFF's dedicated screening destination at VOX Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
Dubai - Following the success achieved by the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) over the past 14 years, film fans can now look forward to a brand new initiative from VOX Cinemas, du and DIFF that will bring all year round screenings of the best independent cinema through the dedicated new screening theatre DIFF 365@VOX powered by du at VOX Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates in Dubai.
DIFF 365@VOX powered by du will champion films that entertain, challenge and expand film fans perspectives. Independent films that might not traditionally be released at cinemas across the UAE and celebrate talent outside of the big studio releases will be presented throughout the year.
Set to launch on Thursday, 20 April, 2017 the lineup will include a selection of the best films from around the world. The first slate of compelling titles opens with the profoundly moving ‘I, Daniel Blake’ from legendary director Ken Loach who was awarded with the 2016 Cannes Film Festivals Palme d'Or and Best British Film at the BAFTA Film Awards 2017.
Kicking off the lineup in May is ‘Mukti Bhawan (Hotel Salvation)’ directed by Shubhashish Bhutiani, the Indian comedy drama is a promising tale of life and relationships that will make DIFF365 audiences both laugh and cry. The film was highly praised at DIFF and Venice Film Festival where it won the annual Prix Enrico Fulchignoni, an award given by the International Council of Film and Television at Unesco to the Venice film that best represents the values of peace and human rights.
Next up is the double Oscar nominee and multi-award winning ‘A Man Called Ove’ the irresistible, Swedish touching comic crowd pleaser from Hannes Holm and based on Fredrik Backman's international best-selling novel.
After raising the curtain of the 67th Berlin International Film Festival, ‘Django’ directed by Étienne Comar about the life of famous French jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and his struggles in German-occupied Paris hits DIFF 365 screens. Django Reinhardt was one of the most brilliant pioneers of European jazz and the father of Gypsy Swing. ‘Django’ grippingly portrays one chapter in the musician’s eventful life and is a poignant tale of survival.
Joining the lineup is the critically acclaimed ‘Maudie’, the Irish-Canadian romantic drama directed by Aisling Walsh and featuring Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke. After rapturous receptions at Toronto, Berlin and Telluride the film tells the story of Maud Lewis, who overcame her disability to become one of Canada's best-known folk artists.
DIFF’s Chairman, Abdulhamid Juma commented on this exciting new venture: “It has always been part of our mission to bring the festival to our dedicated DIFF film fans all year round and thanks to the support of VOX Cinemas and du we are now in a position to launch DIFF 365@VOX. This is the perfect platform to watch, discover, and discuss contemporary cinema and promises to showcase a snapshot of the best cinema from around the world. From small-budget independent titles to acclaimed Oscar and Festival masterpieces to the latest in Arab cinema we look forward to bringing the very best cinema to film lovers in Dubai all year round.”
Discussing the partnership Toni Massih, Distribution and Film Content Director at Majid Al Futtaim – VOX Cinemas said: “VOX Cinemas has enjoyed an exceptional partnership with DIFF for the past 12 years, and we are delighted to advance this relationship further by bringing quality films to the UAE. We believe that releasing independent titles and acclaimed Oscar masterpieces on our screens will add great value to an audience that is hungry for diverse cinema. We are very proud to be supporting and launching the DIFF365@VOX initiative powered by du in a world that has become increasingly blockbuster-centric and look forward to embarking in a long and fruitful partnership to continue creating great moments for everyone.”
Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Commercial Officer, du explained: “At du, we have seen the power that film has in connecting people first hand through our du Tuesday platform. This collaboration enables us to extend the power of independent film to UAE audiences, and truly add life to life when it comes to delivering incredible cinematic experiences encompassing both studio releases, and their independent counterparts.”
Al Hassawi concluded: “DIFF has put Dubai on the map as a global destination for cine-goers, and the event grows bigger every year. As proud long-term partners with VOX, du is excited to provide yet another platform that brings the best of the big screen to movie lovers.”
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I, Daniel Blake directed by Ken Loach will run from 20 April – 4 May, 2017
Winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, the latest from legendary director Ken Loach is a gripping, human tale about the impact one man can make. Gruff but goodhearted, Daniel Blake (Dave Johns) is a man out of time: a widowed woodworker who’s never owned a computer, he lives according to his own common sense moral code. But after a heart attack leaves him unable to work and the state welfare system fails him, the stubbornly self-reliant Daniel must stand up and fight for his dignity, leading a one-man crusade for compassion that will transform the lives of a struggling single mother (Hayley Squires) and her two children. Graced with humor and heart, I, Daniel Blake is a moving, much-needed reminder of the power of empathy from one of the world’s greatest living filmmakers.
Hotel Salvation directed by Shubhashish Bhutiani will run from 4 – 17 May, 2017
An ominous dream convinces 77-year-old Dayanand Kumar that his end could be near.
He takes the news to his son Rajiv, knowing he wants to breathe his last in the holy city of Varanasi and end the cycle of rebirth, by attaining salvation. Being the dutiful son he is, Rajiv, is left with no choice but to drop everything and make the journey with his stubborn father.
Daya and Rajiv check into Mukti Bhawan (Hotel Salvation) in Varanasi, a guesthouse devoted to people to die there. But as the days go by, Rajiv struggles to juggle his responsibilities back home, while Daya starts to bloom in the hotel.
Rajiv gives his father a shot at salvation but as family bonds are tested, he finds himself torn, not knowing what he must do to keep his life together.
A Man Called Ove directed by Hannes Holm will run from 18 – 31 May, 2017
Stepping from the pages of Fredrik Backman’s international best-selling novel, Ove is the quintessential angry old man next door. An isolated retiree with strict principles and a short fuse, who spends his days enforcing block association rules that only he cares about, and visiting his wife’s grave, Ove has given up on life. Enter a boisterous young family next door who accidentally flattens Ove’s mailbox while moving in and earning his special brand of ire. Yet from this inauspicious beginning an unlikely friendship forms and we come to understand Ove’s past happiness and heartbreaks. What emerges is a heartwarming tale of unreliable first impressions and the gentle reminder that life is sweeter when it is shared.
Django’ directed by Étienne Comar will run from 1 – 14 June, 2017
France in 1943 during the German occupation. Every night, guitarist and composer Django Reinhardt delights Parisian audiences with his witty, life-affirming ‘gypsy swing’ music. Whilst many other Romany people are finding themselves the target of racist persecution and being murdered in concentration camps, Django believes himself to be safe due to his popularity – until agents of the Nazi propaganda machine demand that he goes on tour to Germany in order to counteract the influence of ‘negro music’ from the USA. Django Reinhardt refuses. One of his Parisian admirers helps him, his pregnant wife and his mother to hide out in a village close to the Swiss border; here he meets members of his large extended family who are also on the run. But when he tries to cross Lake Geneva into Switzerland with his wife and his mother, the Nazis are hot on his heels. In his directorial debut, Etienne Comar portrays an unconventional artist and free spirit whose life is as improvised as his music. Faced with the question of whether or not to allow his art to be misused for political purposes, he has to make a decision of vital significance.
Maudie directed by Aisling Walsh will run from 15 – 28 June, 2017
In Nova Scotia, Maud Lewis (Sally Hawkins), who suffers from severe arthritis, is hired as a housekeeper by reclusive local fish peddler Everett Lewis (Ethan Hawke). Despite her crippled hands, Maud yearns to be independent and to live away from her overprotective family, but most of all, she wants to create art. An unlikely romance blossoms between herself and Everett, as she determinedly hones her skills despite her pain, and overcomes the physical challenge of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
She eventually rises to become one of Canada’s premier folk artists, whose paintings hang in The White House.
About DIFF
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is the leading film festival in the region. Since its inception in 2004, the festival has served as an influential platform for Arab filmmakers and talent at an international level, by spearheading the cinema movement in the region. The 13th edition of DIFF will take place from December 6 – 13, 2017.
© Press Release 2017
