The best of DIFF 2015?

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: The best of DIFF 2015? This year’s Dubai International Film Festival line-up has everything. Drama, suspense, action, comedy, classics, biographies, kiddie animations and documentaries are all on a programme, which also features some fabulous, free outdoor screenings. As much as I’d love to, I can’t physically sit through 134 movies from 60 different countries this year. If you’re time pressed too, here’s my pick of movies that really must be seen this year. Jaws Steve Spielberg’s shark classic ‘Jaws’ raised the bar in filmmaking back in the 1970s. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, there will be a free outdoor screening at The Beach presented by none other than original star Richard Dreyfuss. He comments: “In my career, I’ve always been quietly proud of being associated with a movie that has lost none of its power, even 40 years later.” On December 12 at 7.30pm, The Beach   Dheepan Noted for its timeliness and soulful storytelling, the drama-thriller about a Tamil Tiger soldier’s arduous journey won this year’s Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Sivadhasan (Antonythasan Jesuthasan) escapes the Sri Lankan civil war to seek political asylum in France. But he has to take the identity of a dead man and finds himself in another conflict zone. Tomorrow at 6.15pm, Mall of the Emirates   Zinzana A man named Talal (Saleh Bakri) is held in a small town prison and a visiting police Dabaan (Ali Suliman) interrogates him in the neo-noir film (which translates as Rattle the Cage) by Emirati director Majid Al Ansari and produced by Image Nation. Vox general manager Jacques Kruger said: “We believe the film has both regional and universal appeal and will travel well beyond the borders of the UAE.” Gala screening this Thursday at 5pm, Madinat Arena; Saturday at 10pm, Mall of the Emirates Room Based on the best-selling novel of the same title from Emma Donoghue, ‘Room’ follows the suspenseful and emotional story of a young woman (Brie Larson) abducted as a child, who raised her son Jack (Jacob Tremblay) in a tiny shed. After trying to shield Jack from their harsh reality, she creates a plan for their escape. Larson says: “You can watch the movie and focus on the kidnapping and the crime story, or you can see it as a story of love and freedom and perseverance.” Gala screening at 8pm tonight plus another showing tomorrow at 10pm, Madinat Theatre   Peanuts the Movie Charles M Schulz’s beloved cartoon characters Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Woodstock are back on our big screen for the first time in more than 30 years. It’s a real family affair too, as Craig and Bryan Schulz, the original artist’s son and grandson, wrote the storyline for the 3D film which coincides with the 65th anniversary of the comic strip and the 50th anniversary of its Christmas TV special. Awkward hilarity ensues as forever underdog Charlie tries to impress his crush, the Little Red-haired Girl.  Lucy, Linus, Sally and neighbourhood friends are up to their usual shenanigans meanwhile, so expect some fun and philosophical moments. Gala screening this Friday at 2pm, Madinat Arena glaiza@7days.ae Read the original story at: The best of DIFF 2015?