10 Films You Must See At Dubai Film Festival 2010

Pop Quiz hot shot.

What are the 10 films playing during DIFF 2010 that you absolutely must see?

What’s that you say, you have no idea? The wide variety of choices (157 in total) from over 50 countries confusing you? Fret not, for we are here to do what we do best – make recommendations. Our staff have toiled the Earth and scoured the internet to bring you what we believe are the 10 most important films playing during the upcoming film festival. These deserve to be seen, for one reason or the other. Make haste, the box office is already open and there is less than a week before screenings commences.

127 Hours
Danny Boyle | USA | 2010
94 min

What’s it about: A mountain climber, Aron Ralston, becomes trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone near Moab, Utah and resorts to desperate measures in order to survive.

Why you should see it: Two names; Danny Boyle, the maverick director of, amongst other films, Slumdog Millionaire and James Franco, charismatic actor and future Oscar co-host, who has been generating all kinds of crazy buzz for his performance.

A Screaming Man
Mahamat-Saleh Haroun | Chad | 2010
92 min

What’s it about: Adam, a sixty something former swimming champion, is forced to give up his job as a pool attendance to his son after the hotel he works in is taken over by new Chinese owners. Humiliated and resentful, with the country in the throes of civil war, he faces a dilemma when authorities demand contribution for the war effort.

Why you should see it: Apart from the fact that the director also made Daratt, an engaging film about revenge and forgiveness that played during DIFF 2006, A Screaming Man was this years Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize winner, the first ever for a film from Chad.

Bal
Semih Kaplanoglu | Turkey | 2010
103 min

What’s it about: The quiet life of a boy and his family is endangered when his father does not return home from his work collecting honey in the forest.

Why you should see it: Apart from the storyline, which sounds like something out of Iran’s neorealism rich cinema, the film was awarded the Golden Bear in 2010, the big prize at the Berlin Film Festival.

If I want to whistle I whistle
Florin Serban | Romania | 2010
94 min

What’s it about: Two weeks before his release, a teenage prisoner learns that his mother has returned home. Meanwhile, he finds himself in love with a student working in the penitentiary as an intern.

Why you should see it: For starters, it’s from Romania, which has been on a wave with many exciting and acclaimed films being produced (such as the harrowing 4 months, 3 weeks and 2 days that screened during DIFF 2007). Not convinced? How about the fact this film won the Silver Bear at Berlin.

The Hunter
Rafi Pitts | Iran | 2010
90 min

What’s it about: Director Rafi Pitts continues the new wave of Iranian cinema with a meditation on revenge and familial loss, deceptively parlaying the political chaos of his country under the guise a thriller.

Why you should see it: Apart from being a nominee for the prestigious Golden Bear at Berlin earlier this year, it is the follow up film from Rafi Pitts, the director of the sombre It’s Winter, which we all saw at DIFF 2006 and loved.

The King’s Speech
Tom Hooper | UK | 2010
118 min

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww-7OAdIzNk

What’s it about: The story of King George VI of Britain, his impromptu ascension to the throne and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch become worthy of it.

Why you should see it: Apart from James Franco, Colin Firth is the other leading contender for the Best Actor Awards at the upcoming Oscars. The film has received stellar word of mouth and a slew of awards and nominations already. Need we say more?

The Way back
Peter Weir | USA | 2010
133 min

What’s it about: A fact-based story centered on soldiers who escaped from a Siberian gulag in 1940.

Why you should see it: Peter Weir, master director, doesn’t make films too often, but when he does they deserve to be seen. Add to the fact that Ed Harris has been receiving a lot of buzz for his performance (the overall cast looks stellar) and he could finally nab that elusive win at the Oscars come February 2011.

Uncle Bonmee who can recall his past lives
Apichatpong Weerasethakul | Thailand | 2010
114 min

What’s it about: On his deathbed, Uncle Boonmee, recalls his many past lives which includes the ghost of his dead wife and his lost son who has returned in non-human form.

Why you should see it: It won the Palme d’Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival and is the first film from acclaimed director Apichatpong to be screened at DIFF.

When we Leave
Feo Aladag | Germany | 2010
119 min

What’s it about: Umay is a young woman of Turkish descent, fighting for an independent and self-determined life in Germany against the resistance of her family. Her struggle initiates a series of events, which results in a life-threatening situation.

Why you should see it: Apart from being Germany’s official submission to the Academy Awards for this year, it won a special award at the Berlin Film Festival, not to mention a slew of other European prizes.

Winter’s Bone
Debra Granik | USA | 2010
100 min

What’s it about: An unflinching Ozark Mountain girl hacks through dangerous social terrain as she hunts down her drug-dealing father while trying to keep her family intact.

Why you should see it: Newcomer Jennifer Lawrence wowed the audience at Sundance with her breakthrough performance and the film has been collecting awards, buzz and much acclaim ever since.