IT’S THE CLASSIC bizarre love triangle: Girl meets vampire. Werewolf meets girl. While the Twilight saga continues to reign in at the box office pulling in a cool $240 million worldwide, Dubai fans will be able to attend an exclusive showing on the world’s largest movie screen tonight as the film premieres in the UAE.

The 4,000 square-foot screen, roughly as tall as a six storey building, is being set up at the Dubai Media City Amphitheater as a part of a 10-day movie series called Cinema Under The Stars.

The event, being organised by SwissOpenAir Concept, is expecting to draw in at least 2,000 people daily. Company CEO, Farzin Samadian, discussed the logistics of putting together an event of such large proportions.

“The screen is tailor-made with its very own customised surround-sound system of 32 speakers that will broadcast amazing quality to the large crowds,” he said.

The 70-tonne screen will be elevated using the largest-ever patented hydraulic mechanism at the beginning of each film. The entire process, Farzin says, takes scores of manpower to be put together.

Running every night until December 7, the critically acclaimed movie line-up includes Old Dogs, A Christmas Carol, Zombieland, Astro Boy and Amelia. Two Bollywood movies, yet to be announced, will also be screened following the success of last year’s series.

“The most interesting part of last year’s event was that so many Westerners as well as Emiratis were enjoying Indian cinema,” Farzin explained, adding that the purpose of the selected films were to help bring families together for an enjoyable cinematic evening under the stars.

In addition to the blockbuster line-up, food and drink stalls will be set up for audiences to enjoy before the beginning of each movie.

A special VIP area that includes corporate chalets will also be available for extra comfort. Families with young children will also be catered to during two special family night’s with entertainment shipped in from Switzerland to ensure that even the little ones don’t miss out on the fun.

“The film industry and the entertainment industry are unique because they transcend different nationalities, cultures and tastes,” Farzin said.

event details

What: SwissOpenAir Cinema

Where: Dubai Media City Amphitheatre

When: November 26 to December 7

Tickets: Available for Dhs55 at all Virgin Megastore outlets and Time Out tickets

Screenings:

November 26:

Twilight – New Moon

November 27:

Old Dogs

November 28:

Christmas Carol

November 29:

Zombieland

November 30:

The Conqueror

December 1:

Bollywood Night ‘TBA’

December 2:

Everybody’s Fine

December 3:

Ninja Assassin

December 4:

Circus di Freak

December 5:

Astro Boy

December 6:

Bollywood Night ‘TBA’

December 7: Amelia

kadry@khaleejtimes.com