Highlights of DIFF (Dubai International Film Festival)

Image courtesy of DIFF

The curtain just came down on the 11th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival, however the echos of applause are still resounding in our minds. During the celebrity filled week, there was a showcase of premieres both local and international, which brought an array of artistic talent from brilliant script writing to acting and directing. 

From the intense menu, these are our DIFF highlights:

Bird Man

BIRDMAN or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance is a black comedy telling the story of an actor (Michael Keaton) he struggles to mount a Broadway play. In the days leading up to opening night, he battles his ego and attempts to recover his family, his career, and himself.
We loved the camera work, which is an apparent cut free take and the cast is phenomenal, we have no doubt this film will win a string of awards in the upcoming Golden Globes and Oscars in 2015. 

USA / 2014 
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Theatre and Psychodrama
Rating: 15+

Haemoo

South Korea / 2014 
Genre: Drama and Thriller 
Rating: 18+

Based on true events, HAEMOO is about a fishing boat crew's attempt to smuggle illegal migrants in order to keep their fishing jobs with dramatic developments.

Some scenes are pretty gory and highly emotional, but this is also why we appreciate Korean films. 

There's no sugar coating, whilst passing on a message that even from the worst things something good can happen.

The Imitation Game

 USA and United Kingdom / 2014 
Genre: Adventure, Biography, Drama, Historical and War
Rating: 15+

In 1952, British authorities entered the home of mathematician and war hero Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) to investigate a reported burglary. They instead ended up arresting him on charges of ‘gross indecency’, an accusation that would lead to his devastating conviction for the criminal offence of homosexuality.  We felt this was a long due tribute to a man who made such contribute to modern day history in so many ways.

From A to B

United Arab Emirates / 2014 
Genre: Adventure and Comedy
Rating: 12+

It’s 2011 and Omar (Fadi Rifaai) finds himself still racked with guilt over the death of his best friend Hady, who passed away five years ago. Just days away from the birth of his first child, he reaches out to his estranged high school friends Jay (Fahad Albutairi) and Ramy (Shadi Alfons), to take a road trip in Hady's memory. 

This is a dramady with lots of funny moments but also touching moments exploring relationships, friendships and realities of the Middle East.

What we do in the shadows

New Zealand and USA / 2014 
Genre: Comedy and Horror
Rating: 15+

Vampires as you never seen them before. This hilarious mockumentary, sees flatmate-vampires Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav trying to get by in modern society. When their 8,000-year-old room-mate Petyr, turns Nick, a human, into a vampire, the guys must show him the ropes and guide him through his new found eternal life. 
The film brings out the dark humour that New Zealand is known for, several times during the 86 minutes long film you'll find yourself laughing out loud. This easily became our new favorite vampire movie! 

Wild Tales

Argentina and Spain / 2014
Genre: Comedy, Drama and Thriller
Rating: 18

RELATOS SELVAJES or WILD TALES is a collection of six crazy, absurd and hilarious short stories. 

The movie is utterly brilliant, this is the kind of movie that you'd watch over and over, it's so fantastically written, directed and performed that the fact it's in Spanish makes no difference, nothing gets lost in translation. As it's nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Film category we can only wish that they take home the golden statue.