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Missing Out on DIFF Fun

ABU DHABI - Residents in the capital are well aware of what they are missing in the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), but most of them find it next to impossible to travel to Dubai and back after working hours even for really good movies.

While many UAE filmmakers like Ali Mustafa, who although do not participate in the festival, are there to see the latest productions of their national and international counterparts, the others like Fadel Al Muhairy are too tied up in different projects to be able to make it.

“I would love to go and see some movies, especially the UAE ones, but I have to work on a project in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi,” Al Muhairi told Khaleej Times.

Earlier this year, he participated with his latest short film in the Abu Dhabi’s Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF).

“I love western movies, so if I could make it, I would go to see ‘Appaloosa’, which is a classic western production made this year,” added Al Muhairi.

Pascal Gueyle, art director at Alliance Francaise in Abu Dhabi, would have a long list of movies to see in DIFF, but going to Dubai is a little out of the way.

“The problem is that I work during daytime and to drive two hours to Dubai after work and two hours back to see one movie is too tiring, “ said Gueyle.

In his opinion, having two major international film festivals in one country and only two months apart is also a little bit too much. “I can’t say that one is better than the other, but Dubai has more experience, while Abu Dhabi has a young and exciting festival,” pointed our Gueyle.

silvia@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE