Review: RSIFF title ‘Black Dog’ is an art house draw
Updated 12 December 2024
Gautaman Bhaskaran
JEDDAH: The winner of the Un Certain Regard prize at the Cannes Film Festival in May, Chinese drama “Black Dog” travelled to the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah and screened as part of the Festival Favorites program. Stark and suitably set in the barren landscape of the Chinese desert, the movie explores loneliness and exudes a sense of desperation. Director Guan Hu (known for “Mr Six,” “Run for Love,” “Cow”) follows a murder convict who leaves prison and lands a job as a dog catcher in a work that strongly reminded me of the celebrated Japanese auteur Takeshi Kitano.
Lang (essayed by a grim Eddie Peng) is hired to trap strays in the Gobi Desert. But a man with a heart that melts, he watches in anguish as the canines are mistreated and decides to adopt one. Once a celebrity — a stunt motorcyclist, a great guitarist and the son of a bigwig — Lang’s incarceration sees him transformed into a completely different person that is wonderfully encapsulated by Peng.
Strictly for art house fans, “Black Dog” can be a hard watch for others and the starkness of a part of the country with its decay and hostile desert sands is far from the allure that we often associate with cinema. Hu does not seem to care as he tells us with brutal frankness how dozens of dogs (some suffering from fatal rabies) are hunted down with a huge net by catchers — the scenes can be revolting to some.
“Black Dog” relies on one too many contrived incidents that impede the narrative flow, but if you’re a fan of moody, almost allegorical films, this one is for you.
Designers offer up day-to-evening wear at Dubai Fashion Week
Updated 04 February 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: Day three of Dubai Fashion Week saw presentations by fashion label BLSSD, New York-based British Iraqi designer Tara Babylon, Dubai-based Lebanese designer Dima Ayad and a multi-designer showcase curated by department store Etoile La Boutique.
Rawdah Mohamed walked the runway for Dima Ayad. (Supplied)
Somali Norwegian model Rawdah Mohamed walked the runway for Ayad, who stayed true to her brand’s founding ethos and offered up chic looks for a diverse range of body shapes. Houndstooth patterns were employed in various hues across the collection, while winter-appropriate fabrics and evening wear options in rippled gold also made an appearance.
Babylon took over the runway with her Autumn/Winter 2025 collection titled “Princess of Thieves.” The designer brought a warm and tropical vibe to the winter collection with Middle Eastern-inspired palm tree prints and earthy green tones. Weaving, printing and crochet techniques were used along with recycled cotton tapestry to create stylish winter pieces.
(Supplied)
The Central Saint Martins and Parsons-educated designer is known for the performance-like aspect of her shows, and Monday night’s showcase in Dubai was no different. Models strode down the runway in a series of artfully created balaclavas that matched the ensembles.
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Meanwhile, Etoile La Boutique’s invite-only showcase was a curated multi-designer collection titled “Twilight to Midnight.” The playful showcase offered up a sunshine yellow taffeta dress alongside a sequined mini-skirt and expertly cut leopard-print trench coat.
UAE-born and bred streetwear and ready-to-wear label BLSSD showcased its signature experimental styles in seasonal colours — a floor-grazing blazer paired with slouchy, masculine trousers was a particular draw at the show.
Ithra’s Kimono Exhibition showcases art, evolution of a Japanese symbol in Saudi Arabia
Updated 04 February 2025
Jasmine Bager
DHAHRAN: As part of the Japan Cultural Days event that ends on Feb. 8, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is hosting a Kimono Exhibition, offering visitors an up-close look at these traditional Japanese garments synonymous with the country.
Maha Abdulhadi, creative programs specialist at Ithra, explained the significance of the exhibition to Arab News.
The patterns and fabrics of kimonos often reflect seasonal changes, festivals and artistic aesthetics, further emphasizing their connection to Japanese culture. (Supplied)
“The Kimono Exhibition at Japan Cultural Days is not just a fashion showcase — it (is) a deep cultural experience. It celebrates Japan’s artistic legacy, demonstrates the adaptability of tradition in a modern world, and strengthens cultural exchange between Japan and global audiences,” Abdulhadi said.
As one of the most iconic symbols of Japanese tradition and craftsmanship, the kimono has served as a representation of Japan’s rich cultural identity and its textile artistry, showcasing centuries-old techniques of dyeing, weaving and embroidery, while also demonstrating how contemporary designers have reinterpreted the kimono for modern sentiments.
The exhibition also highlights the significance of kimonos in different celebratory occasions, showcasing how their styles vary depending on the event.
The selection of kimonos was curated by Ithra’s Museum & Exhibition unit. (Supplied)
The patterns and fabrics of kimonos often reflect seasonal changes, festivals and artistic aesthetics, further emphasizing their connection to Japanese culture.
This free exhibition showcases 17 kimonos in total, carefully selected to highlight the evolution of this iconic Japanese attire.
Ten kimonos were loaned from the Japan Kimono Museum in Fukushima. These pieces represent antique kimonos from different historical periods, reflecting the craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities of the Meiji (1868-1912), Taisho (1912-1926), and Showa (1926-1989) eras. The Japan Kimono Museum, which opened in 2022, houses the largest collection of kimonos in Japan, with approximately 10,000 items in total, including accessories.
As part of the Japan Cultural Days event that ends on Feb. 8, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is hosting a Kimono Exhibition. (Supplied)
“I would like to add that the design of one of the uchikake kimono displayed from the Japan Kimono Museum is by Kansai Yamamoto, a fashion designer who was active in Paris Fashion Week and other events,” Abdulhadi added.
In addition to the historical pieces, seven kimonos in the exhibition came from a private collector based in Japan, showcasing modern interpretations of the traditional garment.
The selection of kimonos was curated by Ithra’s Museum & Exhibition unit. The curatorial team focused on presenting the evolution of kimonos, emphasizing their intricate dyeing techniques, exquisite craftsmanship and regional styles that tell captivating stories of tradition and heritage.
Beyond being a fashion exhibition, the event as a whole, which began on Jan. 23, was created to foster cultural exchange as the two countries celebrate 70 years of Saudi-Japan diplomatic relations.
RIYADH: The first-ever edition of Art Week Riyadh will be held from April 6-13, hosted by the Saudi Visual Arts Commission.
Set to run under the theme “At The Edge,” the event will gather local and international galleries, cultural institutions, artists, patrons, collectors, and art enthusiasts at a week-long event to take place across the city of Riyadh, headquartered at JAX District in Diriyah.
Alongside exhibitions, Art Week Riyadh will put on a program of talks, workshops, and performances for the public.
According to a released statement, the “inaugural edition will explore thresholds, transitions, and liminal spaces, reflecting Riyadh’s role as a center of global cultural engagement.”
Dina Amin, CEO of the Visual Arts Commission, commented: “Art Week Riyadh is about building a robust and inclusive framework—one that supports innovation, creativity and thought leadership, and an unwavering commitment to preserving and advancing culture. By bringing together diverse elements of the Saudi art sector, it aims to empower and nurture practitioners and foster a shared vision of growth, opportunity, and cultural enrichment.”
Ahmed Shawky named critics jury president at Berlin film fest as Arab film ‘Yunan’ joins Golden Bear race
Updated 04 February 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: Veteran Egyptian director Ahmed Shawky was appointed president of the critics jury at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival this week, coinciding with the festival’s announcement that the Arab film “Yunan” will compete for the top Golden Bear prize.
The festival is scheduled to take place from Feb. 13-23.
Shawky will preside over the largest jury panel convened annually by the International Federation of Film Critics, guiding 12 international critics in assessing films across different festival categories.
Alongside serving as jury president, he will also join the international competition jury, where he will work alongside critics Maja Korbecka from Poland and Francisca Romero Pezoa from Chile.
Meanwhile, “Yunan” is directed and written by Syrian filmmaker Ameer Fakher Eldin.
It is among the 19 films competing for the Golden Bear and is the only Arab film featured in the main competition lineup.
“Yunan” first premiered at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, where it secured the Edipo Re Award in 2021.
It also received several recognitions, including the Best Arab Film Award and the Shadi Abdel-Salam Award for Best Film at the Cairo International Film Festival.
The film tells the story of an Arab writer who, feeling lost in exile in Hamburg, travels to a secluded island in the North Sea with thoughts of ending his life. There, he meets an elderly woman who helps him rediscover his desire to live.
More than 300 aspiring chefs taking part in seafood cooking workshop in Riyadh
Workshops organized by Saudi Chefs Association
Sessions blend traditional Saudi methods, international expertise
Updated 03 February 2025
Waad Hussain
RIYADH: More than 300 cooking enthusiasts are taking part in a three-day seafood cooking workshop in Riyadh in which top chefs are sharing their expertise.
Organized by the Saudi Chefs Association, the event is a highlight of the Saudi International Fisheries Exhibition, which is taking place until Feb. 5 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.
The workshop provides participants with an opportunity to learn from renowned Saudi and international chefs and features more than 20 seafood recipes drawing on traditional regional dishes.
The event is led by Yasser Jad, president of the Saudi Chefs Association, who spoke of the importance of mentorship and hands-on experience in the culinary industry.
Jad said: “Each day we hold six interactive sessions, featuring two master chefs who mentor two young chefs from different culinary schools, including students from HTMi Saudi Arabia, a leading hospitality and culinary institute.”
The association serves as a professional network, supporting chefs at all levels with practical training.
Jad added: “This is how chefs have always learned — by working side by side with experienced mentors. Masterclass continues that tradition in a structured, engaging environment.”
The masterclass workshop focuses on both traditional Saudi recipes and international seafood dishes.
Jad said: “We are proud to conduct this kind of workshop. Our goal is to preserve and modernize Saudi cuisine, ensuring that young chefs understand its history while also exploring contemporary techniques.”
Those participating work with fresh, locally sourced seafood, learning techniques for cleaning, filleting, marinating, and cooking different types of fish and shellfish.
Now in its fourth edition, the Saudi International Fisheries Exhibition is organized by the National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program under the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, with the participation of various public and private sector entities.
The event highlights sustainable seafood initiatives, aquaculture advancements, and cutting-edge fishing technologies. Visitors can explore live aquaculture systems and experience seafood tastings and interactive exhibits showcasing the latest industry innovations.
For the Saudi Chefs Association, education plays a key role.
Jad said: “We want chefs to understand the value of local seafood, both from a culinary and environmental perspective.
“By supporting local fisheries, we strengthen Saudi Arabia’s food security and culinary identity.”
