Community Community About 600 The people, including Indonesian students and community in parentsP8 from various P16 Qatar, with support from countries, attend Pearling the embassy, organises Season International the 2017 Badminton School’s International Day. Championship.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017 Rajab 1, 1438 AH
DOHA 22°C—28°C TODAY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 11 PUZZLES 12 & 13 Heartbeats Researchers discover newborn rats hold secret COVER STORY to manufacturing human heart cells. P4-5 2 GULF TIMES Wednesday, March 29, 2017 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT
PRAYER TIME Fajr 4.12am Shorooq (sunrise) 5.29am Zuhr (noon) 11.39am Asr (afternoon) 3.07pm Maghreb (sunset) 5.51pm Isha (night) 7.21pm
USEFUL NUMBERS Sleepless starring Jamie Foxx and T.I. as a pair of corrupt Las Vegas DIRECTION: Baran bo Odar cops who search for one of their kidnapped sons. Michelle WRITTEN BY: Andrea Berloff Monaghan, Dermot Mulroney, David Harbour, Gabrielle CAST: Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan, Dermot Mulroney Union and Scoot McNairy also star. SYNOPSIS: Sleepless is an American crime drama fi lm directed by Baran bo Odar, written by Andrea Berloff and LOCATIONS: Gulf Mall, Villaggio, City Center Emergency 999 Worldwide Emergency Number 112 Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Hamad International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333 Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444
Humanitarian Services Offi ce (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, Kong: Skull Island following Godzilla. It stars an ensemble cast consisting of Tom 40253369 DIRECTION: Jordan Vogt-Roberts Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, Brie Larson, Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 WRITTEN BY: Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein, Derek Jing Tian, Toby Kebbell, John Ortiz, Corey Hawkins, Jason Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 Connolly Mitchell, Shea Whigham, Thomas Mann, Terry Notary and Qatar Airways 40253374 CAST: Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson John C. Reilly. In Kong: Skull Island, the Monarch operative SYNOPSIS: Kong: Skull Island is an American monster Dr Bill Randa leads an expedition team ahead to the uncharted fi lm directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts and written by Dan island Skull Island, where they fi nd they must face against the Gilroy, Max Borenstein and Derek Connolly, from a story by dangerous Skullcrawlers with the help of the eccentric Hank John Gatins. The fi lm is a reboot of the King Kong franchise Marlow and the mighty ape known as Kong. and serves as the second fi lm in Legendary’s MonsterVerse, LOCATIONS: Roxy, The Mall, Gulf Mall, City Centre ote Unquo u te Q Mall Cinema (1): Barbie Video Game (2D) 9pm; Phillauri (Hindi) 11:15pm. Home is the Hero (2D) 2pm; Barbie Video Game Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): YU- place where, when Hero (2D) 3:30pm; Katama Rayudu GI-OH: The Dark Side Of Dimension (Telugu) 5pm; Beauty & The Beast (2D) 2:30pm; YU-GI-OH: The Dark Side you have to go there, they (2D) 7:30pm; El Qerd Beykalem Of Dimension (2D) 4:45pm; El Qerd have to take you in. (Arabic) 9:45pm; Autobahn (2D) Katama Rayudu (Telugu) 8:30pm Beykalem (Arabic) 7pm; Beauty & The 11:30pm. Katama Rayudu (Telugu) 11pm. Beast (2D) 9pm; Alamara (Malayalam) Mall Cinema (2): Beauty & The Beast Landmark Cinema (2): Barbie Video 11:15pm. – Robert Frost (2D) 2:30pm; Power Rangers (2D) Game Hero (2D) 2:30pm; Barbie Video Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): 4:45pm; Power Rangers (2D) 7pm; Game Hero (2D) 4:30pm; Beauty & Barbie Video Game Hero (2D) 2pm; Power Rangers (2D) 9:15pm; Life (2D) The Beast (2D) 6:30pm; Autobahn (2D) Barbie Video Game Hero (2D) 3:30pm; 11:30pm. 8:45pm; Autobahn (2D) 11pm. Beauty & The Beast (2D) 5pm; Mall Cinema (3): Alamara Landmark Cinema (3): Power Sheperds & Butchers (2D) 7:15pm; Life (Malayalam) 3pm; Beauty & The Beast Rangers (2D) 2:30pm; Power Rangers (2D) 9:15pm; Autobahn (2D) 11:15pm. Community Editor (2D) 5:15pm; Kong: Skull Island (2D) (2D) 5pm; Power Rangers (2D) 7:15pm; Asian Town Cinema: Veeram Kamran Rehmat 7:30pm; Life (2D) 9:45pm; Phillauri Life (2D) 9:15pm; Alamara (Malayalam) (Malayalam) 6pm; Alamara e-mail: (Hindi) 11:30pm. 11:15pm. (Malayalam) 5:45, 8:15 & 10:45pm; [email protected] Landmark Cinema (1): Beauty & Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): Phillauri (Hindi) 5:30 & 10:45pm; Telephone: 44466405 The Beast (2D) 2:15pm; YU-GI-OH: The Beauty & The Beast (2D) 2:30pm; Angamaly Diaries (Malayalam) 8:15 Fax: 44350474 Dark Side Of Dimension (2D) 4:30pm; Power Rangers (2D) 4:30pm; Power & 10:45pm; Katama Rayudi (Telugu) El Qerd Beykalem (Arabic) 6:45pm; Rangers (2D) 6:45pm; Power Rangers 3:30, 6:15, 9pm & 11:45pm. Wednesday, March 29, 2017 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY
EVENTS Qatar Motor Show Imperial Threads: Motifs and artisans Dia al-Azzawi: A Retrospective (from WHEN: April 18-22 from Turkey, Iran and India 1963 until tomorrow) 8th Qatar International Food Festival WHERE: Doha Exhibition & Convention WHERE: Museum of Islamic Art WHERE: Mathaf: Arab Museum of WHEN: March 29 to April 8 Center WHEN: Until to November 4 Modern Art and QM Gallery Al Riwaq LOCATION: Hotel Park, Corniche The Qatar Motor Show is one of the most This exhibition focuses on the exchange WHEN: Until April 16 The 8th annual Qatar International Food important consumer events in Qatar. It is of artistic and material cultures between Qatar Museums presents a monograph of Festival will be at the Hotel Park on Corniche celebrating its 7th edition with its ‘Driving the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires. one of the most renowned modern artists from March 29 to April 8. to Innovation’ theme that will help bring Highlighting MIA’s masterpiece carpets, of the Arab world: Dia al-Azzawi. The QIFF is a multicultural festival that to enthusiast in Qatar the latest trends and among other artworks, from Turkey, Iran and exhibition, showcasing over 500 works celebrates the country’s diverse food, technologies from the global automotive India, these objects will be contextualised across fi fty years and a range of media, aims beverage and hospitality off erings. The scene. Perceived by brands manufacturers within the historical circumstances of politics at mapping an itinerary of modernism and annual event forms part of Qatar’s strategy and retailers as the ideal platform to host and artistic production of their time, primarily profi les the practice of the Iraqi artist. The to grow and diversify its tourism off erings exclusive regional reveals, the show dates from the 16th to the 18th centuries. exhibition is curated by Catherine David, in partnership with the private sector. have shifted after the Geneva Motor Show Deputy Director of Musée National d’Art This year’s festival will stretch beyond the to showcase new models for the fi rst time Picasso-Giacometti Moderne at the Centre Georges Pompidou, usual week-long period to off er residents in the region. The Qatar Motor Show 2017 WHEN: Until May 21 Paris. and visitors a fl avourful spring break, will include more than 21 brands that will WHERE: Fire Station Artist In Residence where culinary delights of every kind can showcase their latest technology, innovation, This exhibition brings together more than be enjoyed: from gourmet experiences to and performance trends. Exhibiting brands 120 works by Picasso and Giacometti, drawn authentic local dishes. include BAIC, BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, from the collections of the Musée national In 2017, residents and visitors will be able Dodge, Ford, Genesis, Harley Davidson, Picasso-Paris and the Fondation Giacometti in to enjoy QIFF throughout the country with Hyundai, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Paris, as well as exceptional loans from French the introduction of the new QIFF Menu. Maserati, Maxus, Mercedes Benz, Mini, and other international collections, covering Participating restaurants and cafes will be Mitsubishi, Nissan, Ram, Titanium and paintings, sculptures, sketches, photographs off ering a special QIFF Menu from March Toyota. and interviews with the artists. 23 until April 8, featuring fl avourful dishes The exhibition refl ects two years of research at discounted prices. The new QIFF Menu JR Répertoire undertaken by the Fondation Giacometti and will encourage visitors and residents to enjoy WHERE: Qatar Museums Gallery in the Musée national Picasso-Paris, which the festival experience at their favourite Katara (Building 10) reveals for the fi rst time the previously restaurants and to discover the exciting new WHEN: Until May 31 unknown relationship between these two culinary delights, which have entered the JR, the celebrated French artist, is the artists, who, despite an age gap of twenty years, Qatari food scene since the last edition of subject of a major retrospective show in Qatar shared many moments, both personal and the festival. With four set prices of 59, 99, being held by Qatar Museums at QM Gallery professional. 139, 179 Qatar Riyals and multiple cuisines Katara in Doha. It has been organised in six sections, evoking represented, the QIFF Menu promises JR is amongst a handful of world- diff erent aspects of each artist’s production, something special for all taste buds. renowned artists that combines art and including the development of their work as Revival of Qatar’s musical heritage and engaged actions through large-scale outdoor young artists through to their modernist Qatari Folk singing programme installations, fi lms, photographs and videos, creations, showing the correspondences WHEN: Thursday, Friday until April 28 using the streetscape as his canvas and his between their works, the infl uence of the WHERE: Beach 15, Katara inspiration, which he claims as the largest art surrealist movement, and the return to realism TIME: 6pm to 10pm gallery in the world. during the post-war period. Residents will have the opportunity to JR creates “Pervasive Art” that spreads The exhibition will be accompanied by a watch and enjoy authentic Qatari musical arts uninvited on the buildings and slums around series of lectures and an extensive education and folk singing every weekend until April 28, Paris, on the walls in the Middle East, on programme, as well as a self-guided handbook 2017 at Katara. the broken bridges in Africa or the favelas in for the visitors. The second edition of this cultural show Brazil. He remains anonymous and doesn’t A richly illustrated catalogue published as dubbed as ‘The Revival of Qatar’s Musical explain his work, allowing the subjects, co-edition with Flammarion will accompany Heritage and Qatari Folk Singing Programme’ protagonists, spectators and passers-by to the exhibition, featuring new essays by art is in line with Katara’s continuous eff orts to raise their own questions. historians and the curators of the exhibition. preserve the heritage of Qatar’s ancestors. Beauty and the Beast The exhibition will feature some of the Some sideline activities at the event WHEN: March 30, 31 key series that have made the artist famous Nagham include training sessions, competitions, WHERE: ISL Qatar around the world as well as a video lounge WHERE: The Backyard at Sheraton Grand exhibitions, documentary research, The Performing Arts Department of ISL where selected video works can be viewed. Hotel publications, and lectures and seminars. Qatar will present the much anticipated WHEN: Thursdays production of “Beauty and the Beast” on Off -road biking tour TIME: 8pm onwards Chamber Music at MIA: Music of March 30 and 31. Tickets are QR50 and can WHERE: Zekreet After the success of The Backyard, a concept Qatar and Germany be purchased at the Reception Desk or Admin WHEN: Fridays is born to introduce Arabic music adding a WHEN: April 13 offi ce of ISL Qatar. Performance times are: Blue Pearl Experience Qatar is off ering the twist of International tunes. Live band music TIME: 6pm-7pm 6pm on March 30, 2pm on March 31 and 6pm country’s fi rst off -road biking tour. Ride in by Nagham’s offi cial band and guest artists WHERE: Atrium, Museum of Islamic Art on March 31. Doors open 30 minutes before the desert on a fatbike to explore the local every week. The entrance fee is QR100. For The next monthly free chamber the start of the play. For further inquiries, fl ora and fauna, spot desert wildlife, hike up details, call 44853000. music concert by members of the Qatar please call 4433-8600 or e-mail at mail@ jebels, chill in the magic of the Richard Serra Philharmonic Orchestra in the atrium of islqatar.org statues and this unique landscape. Reggae Beachfest Doha Museum of Islamic Art will be on April 13, Participants will get to cross the desert WHEN: Thursdays and Fridays with the West Bay skyline as a backdrop. Stretch, fl ex and embrace riding fatbikes from Zekreet to the Richard WHERE: Oyster Beach Bar at St. Regis No tickets or reservations required. All ages #thesweatlife Serra statues, on a route of approximately Hotel welcome. Seating will be on a fi rst-come WHEN: April 8 13kms. The route is easy to ride and suitable TIME: 8pm onwards fi rst-serve basis. WHERE: MIA Park for people with average fi tness. You must In collaboration with Reggae Beachfest in TIME: 8:30am be able to ride. Kids aged 9 and older are Dubai, Qatar will witness the best rasta nights Qatar Superstock 600 Championship To celebrate the recent launch of lululemon also welcome. The fee is QR220 (QR190 around. The organisers say, “We’ve got the Round 4 at the Mall of Qatar, lululemon is inviting for ages 9-14) and includes bike and safety setup sorted to get you feeling the Caribbean WHERE: Losail International Circuit the community of Doha to stretch, fl ex and equipment. The activity lasts about 2.5 hours. vibe. Along with our resident band Earthkry WHEN: April 7, 8 embrace #thesweatlife. For details and booking, please visit all the way from Jamaica, we have so many big Qatar SuperStock 600 is a new road racing Join lululemon and Jawaher al-Fardan at the company website on http://www. names in the Reggae scene lined up at this huge championship organised by Qatar Motor the park of the iconic Museum of Islamic clubbluepearl.com/news-feed/ beachfest!” Entrance fee is QR50 at the door. Motorcycle Federation and Losail Circuit Art, on Saturday, April 8 for a large scale For more information, please call 44460105 Sports Club. complimentary yoga session and to set their The championship will have 12 races over 6 morning intentions, starting spring as they Senorita- Ladies Night rounds at the Losail International Circuit. mean to go on! This is one event not to be WHERE: The Club at St. Regis The riders are competing using one-make missed. WHEN: Tuesdays bikes that will be used for the rest of the The lululemon #sweatlife community TIME: 7pm season, a stocked 600cc bike. The organisers workout will include an intention and The Club at St. Regis promises the ‘fi nest bill it as “a great chance for every competitor goal setting introduction by Monia weeknight in town with Cuban and Latin to test themselves and fi ght for the title in Pyraki, followed by an hour of refreshing rhythms’. The event starts at 7pm. The dress fair racing conditions and in a professional and rejuvenating yoga, with lululemon code is “strictly fabulous-Latin vibe” and there environment”. ambassador and wellness warrior Jawaher al- are no entrance fees. For more information, Grandstand and Paddock area are open for Fardan. The event will start at 08.30am. please call 4446-0105. free to all the spectators.
E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Wednesday, March 29, 2017 COMMUNITY COVER STORY The magic juice When immature human heart cells are injected into baby rats, they match the rodents’ rapid growth cycle and develop fully. These rats act as living incubators, Dr David Kass, a Hopkins professor and cardiologist, tells Tim Prudente
uman heart muscle When immature human heart cells can be created “When you look at a normal heart muscle cell, it’s an cells are injected into baby rats, in the lab, but exquisitely complicated and well organised engine. they match the rodents’ rapid researchers have been growth cycle and develop fully. unable to grow the Every little protein has to be positioned precisely,” These rats act as living incubators, immatureH cells to the point where said Dr David Kass, a Hopkins they could be useful. Kass says. “This doesn’t work if they’re willy-nilly, professor and cardiologist who co- It’s a conundrum that’s stumped oriented randomly and loosely around the cell.” authored the study. researchers in regenerative “The biological environment medicine. gives you whatever the magic juice “You cannot really use them said Chulan Kwon, a professor But Kwon said he’s discovered and he published a study about his is,” Kass said. “There were a lot for regeneration. You cannot even at the Johns Hopkins School of a solution for the problem in an research in January in the journal of people looking for this magic use them for disease models,” Medicine. unlikely place — newborn rats — Cell Reports. juice.” Wednesday, March 29, 2017 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY
them to replicate the cues in a petri dish and expedite cell growth by avoiding the delicate injections into rat hearts. While promising, their methods remain too small in scale to off er much help to “We are all very patients. At least, not yet. “It has to be a bit more excited that we can practical,” Kass said. “If you’re injecting things into rat neonates, make heart cells, but they’re small. So how many cells can you really get in there, and how they’re heart cells many can you actually fi nd?” like an infant’s heart The ability to culture larger quantities would allow doctors to cells. We want to test heart medicines on a patients’ own cells, furthering the emerging make heart cells like trend of precision medicine. In 2015, President Barack our patients, who are Obama announced a $215 million mostly adults” precision medicine initiative aimed at developing treatments — Dr Richard Lee, a that consider someone’s genes, environment and lifestyle. The Harvard professor grant money funds eff orts at the of stem cell and National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute to regenerative biology advance such treatments. Dr Roberto Bolli at the University of Louisville School of Medicine sees potential in the rat method for screening patients with diff erent medicines. Doctors could swab the cheek of a particular Researchers at the University heart cells, a feat that has proven force of an adult heart cell, Kwon immature. But after a month, patient, modify the cheek cells to of Washington, Harvard and elusive. said. they appeared developed. The behave as stem cells, activate them Stanford universities and beyond Kass, the Hopkins researcher, “The frustrating thing is even if researchers tested these cells and into early heart cells, and inject have been working to solve this compares the cell to a car engine. you culture the dish for more than found they could contract or beat them into the rats. puzzle fundamental to regenerative In an undeveloped state, the a year,” he said, “they’re just kind precisely like an adult heart cell. Once grown, the cells could be medicine. engine parts are present but of stuck in embryonic stages.” The researchers suspect two tested with various treatments. “Laboratories throughout the scrambled, so the engine doesn’t Around the summer of 2013, he forces at play: The rats faster “This would help tremendously world are working on this,” said Dr function. began experimenting with rats. life cycle quickens the cells’ to understand the mechanism or Richard Lee, a Harvard professor “When you look at a normal He uses newborn rats engineered development. And the rats’ these hereditary diseases and also of stem cell and regenerative heart muscle cell, it’s an to have no immune system. This biological cues cause the cells to screen for drugs,” Bolli said. biology. “We are all very excited exquisitely complicated and well ensures the pups don’t reject the leap the threshold into maturity. The Hopkins researchers are that we can make heart cells, but organised engine. Every little foreign cells. Mouse hearts were “So the million dollar question taking steps to produce more they’re heart cells like an infant’s protein has to be positioned too small. would be: What are those cues?” mature cells. Kwon said they will heart cells. We want to make heart precisely,” Kass said. “This doesn’t He injects the rat hearts with Kwon said. try the method with hog hearts, cells like our patients, who are work if they’re willy-nilly, oriented as many as 200,000 human cells. Their work was published which are larger and can hold more mostly adults.” randomly and loosely around the These human cells are tagged January 10 in Cell Reports, an implanted cells. Lee said his research team is cell.” with a protein that glows green or open-access journal, and they’re “If we can really scale this up,” working to unravel the conditions These undeveloped cells have red under fl uorescent light. After still trying to pinpoint the cues. he said, “it has a lot of utilities.” — that stimulate cells to mature about 1 percent of the pumping about a week, the cells remained Further discoveries might allow The Baltimore Sun/TNS inside the body. He praised the Hopkins discovery. “It’s a very nice step forward,” Lee said. Further Dr Charles Murry at the discoveries University of Washington also has tried to grow the cells to maturity. might allow “We tried a whole lot of things that didn’t work,” he said. “Sort of them to replicate like Edison and the light bulb.” Murry has seen some positive the cues in signs when feeding the cells fat a petri dish instead of sugar. “But we haven’t seen anything and expedite that works as well as putting them back into their natural cell growth environment, which is back into a heart,” he said. by avoiding Soon after the late 1990s when the delicate researchers isolated embryonic stem cells, people in the fi eld injections into wondered if the process could be used to grow heart muscles in rat hearts. While the lab and someday repair the lasting damage from heart attacks promising, and disease. Researchers in 2007 their methods developed methods to modify skin cells to behave as stem cells, remain too small and, about fi ve years later, Murry’s research team at the University of in scale to offer Washington developed techniques to activate these modifi ed skin much help to cells into early forms of heart patients. At least, muscle cells. From there researchers have not yet worked to fully develop them into 6 GULF TIMES Wednesday, March 29, 2017 COMMUNITY
Awsaj Academy holds its annual environmental fair
Awsaj Academy recently held its Annual Awsaj Environmental Fair 2017, which is sponsored by ORYX GTL is a major partner of Awsaj Academy and a supporter of the academy’s various ORYX GTL. The school-wide event was a unique opportunity for the students to learn and share initiatives and programmes. ORYX GTL attended the event and Wahiba al-Saadi from HSE knowledge about the natural world and resource conservation. department in ORYX GTL delivered a presentation to the children about environmental awareness Awsaj Academy students exhibited their findings on environmental issues and sparked and the importance of taking care of our environment. Tto encourage student involvement in discussions on how to become an eco-friendly community. environmental issues, ORYX GTL awarded prizes to the top winning projects.
QDC holds 35th Annual Day at beach resort
General Manager Hamdy Abo al- Qassim. “QDC is one of the success stories I am extremely proud of and I give credit to the entire QDC team which has been successful and always managed to overcome challenges that have come their way. We always want our employees to be happy and motivated and, for the same reason, we have once again selected Sealine Beach Resort to celebrate our Annual Day so that our employees can play, have fun and enjoy the day,” said Sheikh Nawaf in his message. Hamdy appreciated and acknowledged all the employees for the hard work and performance displayed during the last fi nancial year. Also present were The Zad Group photo of the QDC employees at the end of the fun-filled day. Holdings Group CEO Tarique Mohammad; VP HR Sauban atar Detergents it to set up a state-of-the-art treated to a fun-fi lled day, including based on the games generally played Siddiqui; and managers from Company (QDC) automated detergent production a wide variety of games and buff et by diff erent nationalities. The other sister concerns. Renowned celebrated their plant in Messaid Industrial city with their families. employees participated in cricket, journalists were also a part of the 35th Annual Day recently, this year’s theme was QDC fraternity has often football, volleyball, swimming, guest list. with a grand outing ‘Dear QDC employees, You are displayed their uniqueness by chess, sack race and tug-of-war. A tournament was organised for atQ the Sealine Beach Resort. To amazing’. arranging their Annual Day and QDC Managing Director Sheikh cricket, football, volleyball and table acknowledge the work and zeal The entire workforce — from encouraging all the employees Nawaf bin Mohamed Jabor al-Thani tennis with the winning teams being of its workers, which has enabled the managers to the workers — was to participate in sports activities thanked his team through QDC handed prizes.
QDC General Manager Hamdy Abo al-Qassim handing prizes to the winners. Participants enjoying a round of volleyball. Wednesday, March 29, 2017 GULF TIMES 7 COMMUNITY
Al Mahd International School celebrates Green Day
Al Mahd International School recently celebrated its Green over many sessions, the activity had children decorating tree Day in an attempt to raise environmental awareness among trunks with paper leaves carrying environmental messages. children. The school also organised multiple planting activities for its The morning assembly featured a short public announcement students. The students were keen to apply their scientific to suggest “the best solutions for environmental issues and our knowledge on how planting should take place and the responsibilities as citizens towards honouring our globe,” said conditions required to keep it healthy. the school. Year 5 student Abdul Aziz Tarek Sadoun conveyed Year 1 students were involved in “Sorting Activity” that this message through a poem that was followed by a quiz emphasised on reusing materials. They were given diff erent prepared by Year 3 groups. One of the most notable projects materials to distribute among recycling boxes during the for the school’s Green Day was “Leaves Project.” Conducted second break.
City Centre Rotana Doha celebrates Vietnamese Food Week
Teatro, City Centre Rotana’s specialty signature at Teatro, and a privilege indeed to be collaborating restaurant, in partnership with Emirates Airline is hosting with such esteemed partners in such venture,” said a Vietnamese Food Week featuring award winning Iron Martin Kendall, the General Manager of City Centre Chef Michael Bao Huynh until April 2. Rotana Doha. “It not only makes for an incredible The week-long event is being presided over by the culinary experience for our guests, but it is also a great Vietnamese Embassy in Qatar and Vietnamese opportunity for a unique cultural exchange.” ambassador Nguyen Hoang. “We are delighted to support an event that highlights In collaboration with the Teatro chefs, Chef Michael Bao the distinct flavours of one of our Far East destinations. has developed a special a la carte menu throughout the Emirates flies to two destinations in Vietnam, Ho Chi week, featuring his unique take on Vietnamese cuisine. Minh City and we recently launched Hanoi last year. We Some of the creations on the menu will include Black Cod hope that Vietnamese Food Week at City Centre Rotana en Papillote, BBQ Shrimp Salad and the very exotic Crab inspires people to travel to this one-of-a-kind destination,” Cakes with lychee, strawberry and tamarind dressing. said Tariq Almutawa, Emirates Manager for Qatar. There will also be special not-to-be-missed events Chef Michael Bao Huynh is a renowned award-winning including a Vietnamese Cooking Class, a five-course a la International Chef, and one of the most celebrated when carte dinner and a special Ladies Dinner evening. it comes to Vietnamese cuisine. He carries in his record “It is a real pleasure for us to host Chef Michael Bao numerous international awards and recognitions. 8 GULF TIMES Wednesday, March 29, 2017 COMMUNITY
PSI School celebrates its International Day
Pearling Season International (PSI) School recently held its International Day, where nearly 600 done by students, from Arabic poetry and ballet to songs in diff erent languages and of people, including students and parents from various countries, attended. The day was organised international themes. A professional African drum artist, Mr. P, was also invited to perform an by two members of the school community: Hershey Ansay (staff member and parent) and Sabika interactive African drum session with a laughing and clapping audience. Shaban (parent). “The response was more than we could have ever anticipated,” says Sabika, who is Pakistani- “The PSI community of parents, students, teachers and staff comprise more than 50 nationalities,” Canadian herself. “Embassies had come forward to support select countries, parents passionately explains Hershey, who is of a Filipina-Australian background, “and the International Day was an shared the enchanting beauty of their countries, and students pleaded for opportunities to take opportunity to celebrate national pride and identity, and to showcase our diversity at its best.” the stage for impromptu performances of songs and dances from their own countries. There The festival represented 14 national and regional booths: Algeria, The Americas (Canada, wasn’t a single face in the crowd, young or old, foreign or local, that did not have a smile or a Venezuela and USA), Continental Europe (Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Spain and laugh on their faces as they learned more about each other’s national culture and celebrated our Sweden), Egypt, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar and diversity.” the United Kingdom. Each booth showcased their distinct customs, traditions, clothing, ornaments, The PSI International Day was the grand finale of the school’s Week Without Walls (WWW) – a food, arts and iconic facts and were manned by teams of parents and staff who worked together week of school that is specifically designated to education outside the classroom. “The WWW to share their country’s charm and wonder with PSI School’s students and visitors. program this year has been a phenomenal success,” said PSI Head Teacher, Delores Thompson. There were activities set up to engage the public in the theme of internationalism, include face “It is designed to allow students to implement knowledge learnt at home and in school into painting of their own national flags, henna designs, a chopstick challenge, Arabic calligraphy real-life experiences, reinforcing the skills and content of the curriculum. This helps students to writing of visitors’ names, and other age-appropriate art and craft activities run by staff volunteers understand the world we live in and their role in it. It also reinforces many of the personal goals and artists. taught throughout the IPC Curriculum, such as co-operation, resilience, communication and The final installment was a celebration of national music and dance, with a variety of performances internationalism.”
City Center Rotana takes part in Earth Hour 2017
City Centre Rotana Doha took part in the global Earth Hour movement recently by switching off all non- essential lights at the hotel for one hour from 8:30 to 9:30pm to #ChangeClimateChange. This international movement is aimed at raising global awareness on climate change and on the importance of energy conservation, as well as encourage the local population to contribute to the Earth’s sustainability. As the hotel switched off all non- essential lights, guests and colleagues both joined in, by lighting symbolic candles. Earth Hour is a global initiative started by the World Wildlife Fund in 2007. This year, this event took place in an unprecedented 178 countries and territories. Millions of people around the world came together to highlight the urgent need to address climate change and where iconic landmarks switched off their lights for one hour to show they care about the future of the planet. Wednesday, March 29, 2017 GULF TIMES 9 COMMUNITY
Behzad Corporation takes part in UK-Qatar Investment Forum
Behzad Corporation has participated in the UK-Qatar Investment Forum in London. Seen here are the Director and CEO of Behzad Corporation and Doha-based entrepreneur, J K Menon, Qatar Energy and Industry Minister HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada and British MP and Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade Liam Fox at the UK-Qatar Investment Forum in London on Monday.
Ritz-Carlton Doha goes dark for Earth Hour 2017
The Ritz-Carlton Doha switched off its non- gathered around the Lobby Lounge, where essential lighting in the hotel for an hour on they were off ered complimentary Arabic March 25 to support the World Wildlife Fund coff ee prepared the traditional way without (WFF) Earth Hour, an international ecological the use of gas and electricity. After witnessing initiative that brings attention to sustainability the synchronised lights out, candles issues on our planet and how individuals and illuminated the lounge and guests cozied companies can make a diff erence. up on the lounge chairs to enjoy a laidback The hotel also hosted a candlelight yoga evening. session for hotel guests at the Spa during Meanwhile, employees of The Ritz-Carlton, Earth Hour, conducted by the hotel’s fitness Doha participated in cutting back on carbon instructor. Minutes before the hour, guests emission by joining in for a candlelight yoga switched off their non-essential lights and at the staff residence for Earth Hour. Farewell reception in honour of community activists
ommunity activist V Gopinath Muaither until a year ago. as cultural secretary of the ICC for two years Namboodhiri and percussionist Peruvanam Menon (Palakkad Gopinath) and At the meeting Indian Community between 2012 and 14. Kuttan for the fi rst time in the expatriate banker turned-founder chairman Benevolent Forum vice president P N Baburajan Gopinath also led a team of percussion community. of Scholars International School and former Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) artists, named `Melam’ being an accomplished The social activist was also the general Aboobacker Wandoor were given president lauded the two for their regular Panchavadhyam activist Gopinath had also secretary of Palakkadan Nattarangu for almost aC farewell reception by their well-wishers and involvement in various community activities in associated with Bharatham Arts , a socio- 6 years. community members at Skills development diff erent activities. cultural forum, earlier. No less than 50 stage shows were organised Centre on Saturday. Gopinath who was actively involved in a host He had also served as general secretary by the forum when Gopinath was the secretary Both are leaving the country after their two- of cultural activities in his capacity as general of Kerala confederation, the umbrella of Nattarangu. decade-long stints in the country. secretary of expatriate forum Palakkadan organisation of 40 Keralite organisations for Community forums representatives After working in Doha Bank for several years, Nattarangu was instrumental in hosting a two years. Joppachen Thekkekuttu, Kareem Abdulla Wandoor set up a law fi rm and was also the number of cultural and art programmes in the Gopinath also had the distinction of hosting and A P Manikantan also felicitated the two chairman of Scholars International School, Indian expatriate community. He also served music composer and lyricist Kaithapram activists.
Girish Kumar speaking at the farewell reception for Aboobacker Wandoor and Gopinath Menon at the Skills Development Centre. 10 GULF TIMES Wednesday, March 29, 2017 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Wednesday, March 29, 2017 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY 4 design upgrades for a spring refresh
ith warm weather knocking at the sleek handles and angular spout. To further amplify door, it’s time to rejuvenate your the contemporary aesthetic, focus on simplicity by space and rid the home of winter installing mirrored cabinets to store toiletries. For a clutter. While it may be the perfect more traditional look, pair a stainless faucet finish time of year for a refresh, it can be with warm cabinetry such as toasted almond oak. challengingW to fi nd exciting new ways to decorate. With top design trends in mind, here are four simple Wallpaper wonder solutions to spring into a new look this season. For people who choose to rent instead of purchase, creating the warm, comfortable environment we Mixed materials all know and love can be a challenge. Removable To entertain the eye, co-ordinate mixed materials wallpaper is a great way to implement a design refresh and beautiful textures in unexpected ways. From and make a temporary space feel like home. The a warm Champagne Bronze fi nish juxtaposed beauty lies within the name – it’s removable! Intricate against matte white tiles, to espresso-stained wood designs and lively patterns are now easily accessible; contrasted with clean marble, this trend is all about perfect for an accent wall that needs a pop of colour. If bringing the unexpected together to create a unifi ed you yearn for a new design, simply remove the existing design aesthetic. Quick refreshes to any room can paper and replace with a new pattern. include accessories such as modern paintings or wall planters and potted succulents. These quick additions Bejewelled beauty serve as simple ways to complement what is already in This spring, channel your inner artist and the room, eliminating the need for a full redesign. incorporate a sense of vibrancy into living spaces. Jewelled tones are experiencing a resurgence this Global inspiration year, proving there is no better way to energise a As an increasingly connected society, space than with a brilliant emerald green or a lively incorporating design inspiration from around the turquoise accent. If the idea of painting a room is too globe has become an ever-present trend that is daunting, opt for smaller updates that bring a punch sure to make an impact. Influenced by the most of colour. Thrift stores are great places to fi nd unique cosmopolitan cities around the world, the Pivotal accessories or that perfect piece of furniture, such as single handle bath faucet serves as a beautiful an ottoman or tufted bench that can be re-covered centrepiece for the vanity. With clean lines and with a rich magenta or sapphire blue fabric. These contemporary form, this collection is perfectly suited easy art projects serve as a great afternoon project that for all generations and all style preferences – from can refresh a neutral space. millennial to baby boomer. While simple in design, Pivotal makes a bold, modern statement with its ©Brandpoint
ARIES TAURUS GEMINI March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20
Don’t let a passing comment or remark bother you today Aries. It There is no point in trying to play catch up now – with Venus out of Unless you are sure about something or someone, don’t go out of might be mean and it might be passive aggressive, but it’s important phase in your past karma zone for the next few weeks. You lost your your way to make something happen today twins. Keep in mind that you let it go and don’t attach any importance to it or the person shot at the title bulls. You simply have to wait for it to roll around Mercury your ruler and the planet of communication goes out of saying it. again. phase (April 9). Get important things done sooner than later.
CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22
You don’t always have to be the person in charge of making sure Avoid those people who always make you feel worried about pretty Sometimes you fall behind and can often beat yourself up about everyone else is happy and taken care of Cancers. It’s up to every much everything Leos. You know the type. Have you paid your it even though you could very well be miles ahead of others. Stop individual to do the things that make them happy and find their taxes? Are you going to refinance? Is your health insurance or car pushing yourself so hard Virgos. happy place. insurance the best?
LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21
If you can find time to meditate and relax today, take the opportunity Unless you feel very strongly about something today, don’t put any There is nothing worse than saying something and immediately to do so. It’s not often that things get that madcap and out of control more time into it or waste any more precious energy. There are realising you’ve said the wrong thing, is there? Foot in mouth disease for you, but when they do, find a way to retreat, hide out and nurture bigger fish to fry coming up soon and you don’t need to waste your often runs rampant through your sign. Think carefully before you yourself. Scorpio powers right now. speak.
CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20
Don’t let someone tell you what to do today and simply do whatever Be careful that you don’t overdo the compliments today Aquarius What’s stopping you or holding you back from doing something they say. Sure you’re trying to be nice and flexible, but what they are and end up wishing you hadn’t been quite so lavish in your words. you really want to do today Pisces? Is it something you’re doing or suggesting is silly. Praise is always good as long as it’s warranted and not gushy. feeling or is it other people’s input. 12 GULF TIMES Wednesday, March 29, 2017 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES
Wordsearch Adam
Pooch Cafe
North Africa
AGADIR CASABLANCA ORAN ALEXANDRIA EGYPT RABAT ALGERIA GIZA SUEZ ALGIERS LIBYA TANGIER ASWAN LUXOR TRIPOLI BENGHAZI MARRAKESH TUNISIA CAIRO MOROCCO
Codeword Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.
Garfield Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com courtesy: Puzzles
Sudoku
Bound And Gagged
Sudoku is a puzzle based on a 9x9 grid. The grid is also divided into nine (3x3) boxes. You are given a selection of values and to complete the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every anone is repeated. Wednesday, March 29, 2017 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY
Super Cryptic Clues Colouring
ACROSS DOWN 1. Did sun rot the seat? (6) 1. It’s extra, you say, for the 4. ‘Sweets,’ in turn, should be garment (8) underlined (8) 2. A switch for the water (8-3) 10. Drink back, too (7) 3. That’s nothing like, really! (4) 11. Trot off after the man, an 5. Scrutinised the material cut assistant (7) up (8) 12. Dash in pursuit (4) 6. The buzzing of the honey- 13. Trouble there will be if you bees? (5,5) buy the infernal thing? (5,2,3) 7. Don’t keep? Twaddle! (3) 16. Find it practicable to get over 8. Ways in which the man there from the gorge (6) digresses (6) 17. In one bag, wrapped up, I put 9. Tell one to arrange things (5) Answers a plant (7) 14. With one’s praise, gave 20. A wild tit in a bird-cage, satisfaction? (4,7) penned (7) 15. How the bus conductor said Wordsearch Codeword 21. Seize the music (6) ‘Going Dutch treat’? (2,8) 24. And is in trouble about one 18. The main salon is let out at foreigner (10) certain times of year (8) 25. Just skip it, lady! (4) 19. Do they beat other disguises? 27. Is not sauntering about at the (8) meeting-place (7) 22. Exercising, is so slim and 29. Put away the money inside, supple (6) once disturbed (7) 23. Game to keep an eye on (5) 30. She’s the mad girl running 26. Sound not so hollow when round inside (8) you open up (4) 31. Is clearly afraid of the many 28. A look of strain (3) debtors (6)
Yesterday’s Solutions
Across: 1 Backlog; 5 Granted; 9 Down: 1 Bow-legged; 2 Callers; Wilma; 10 See things; 11 Eleven; 3 Leaves out; 4 Gasp; 5 Great 12 Stingily; 14 Gusto; 15 Two hopes; 6 Ashen; 7 Tension; rounds; 18 Debutante; 20 Excel; 8 Dusky; 13 Stand aside; 16 22 Saturday; 24 Indeed; 26 One and all; 17 Salad days; 19 Adoration; 27 Anita; 28 Rosette; Buttons; 21 Crevice; 22 Stair; 23 29 Tellers. Roast; 25 Unit. 14 GULF TIMES Wednesday, March 29, 2017 COMMUNITY CINEMA
handle two romantic tragedies in the course of a single movie. Frankly, I was bored with Shashi’s life when she was alive and kicking, and this part is such a drag that I began to lose interest in the days preceding the big fat Indian wedding of Kanan and Anu. While Pirzada is a bit stiff , even uncomfortable, essaying a girl in deep anxiety, Sharma comes off with a lot more fl air in comparison. Yet, the fi nal moments of the fi lm are horribly silly with Kanan taking Anu and Shashi to Jallianwala Bag and reuniting the ghost with Roop Lal – who emerges from a whole lot of dead souls. Can anything be more silly? And at two hours and twenty minutes, Phillauri is a drag. There really is no meat to warrant this kind of run time, and it is sad that what could have been some kind of novelty has been allowed to sink – because of terrible writing. Pray, when are we going to address this?
Cannes’ probables: Even though the Cannes General-Delegate, Thierry Fremaux, has in his recently published book called Selection Offi cielle, let Phillauri suff ers from shoddy writing, even as the charm of its lead actors keep it from sinking. us peep into the enthralling process of picking movies for his Festival, the line-up will remain a play of possibilities and conjectures till the fi nal list is announced at the end of April. The Festival begins on May 17. According to punters, the hot favourites among European auteurs are Happy End by Austria’s Michael Haneke, Loveless Phillauri, the love by Russia’s Andrey Zvyagintsev, A Gentle Creature by Ukraine’s Sergei Loznitsa, Thelma by Norway’s Joachim Trier, Superfl uous Man by Hungary’s Kornel Mundruczo, The Square by Sweden’s Ruben Ostlund, and You Were Never Really Here by Scotland’s Lynne Ramsay. story of a ghost From France, we may have Mektoub is Mektoub by Abdellatif Kechiche, Ismael’s Confi ned in a conservative community her. Maybe, even falls in love with him! Ghosts by Arnaud Desplechin, Jeannette by By Gautaman Bhaskaran in a Punjab village that could not dream of While I must say that the core idea of Bruno Dumont and The Workshop by Laurent letting its women pen poems, she has them Phillauri is interesting, the writing – a Cantet. published under a pen name. And her lover, subject I discussed in my column last week – The most signifi cant American contenders grew up in Bengal that was notorious Roop Lal (Diljit Dosanjh), gives voice to her is shoddy all over again. Writer Anvita Dutt are The Beguiled by Sofi a Coppola, for its tales of black magic and words. But soon after he cuts his fi rst record peppers the plot with contrived situations Wonderstruck by Todd Haynes, Radegund ghosts. And many popular writers in Amritsar, he is killed in the Jallianwala Bag – especially the part relating to Shashi’s by Terrence Malick and Downsizing by penned stories of the supernatural tragedy (in which hundreds of Indians were love story around 1919. It is the same old Alexander Payne. with a kind of eerie fl ourish which shot dead and hundreds more wounded by formula of the girl rejecting the advances of Then there is Japan’s Naomi Kawase with createdI inexplicable fear even in adults. British forces under the command of Colonel the boy, because he is considered a cad, but her Radiance and South Korea’s Hong Sang- The narratives came from even well-known Reginald Dyer). Pregnant with his child, later relenting after he turns over a new leaf soo with Claire’s Camera. authors like Satyajit Ray, and he wrote these Shashi assuming that Roop Lal had ditched and begins to sing sensible songs (written by There are also whispers about The Killing of even for children – but of course carefully her after promising to marry her once the Shashi) compared to the bawdy numbers he a Sacred Deer by Greece’s Yorgos Lanthimos, avoiding blood and gore. And Indian cinema recording was over, jumps into a well and used to croon earlier. This portion is really Where Life is Born by Mexico’s Carlos in the 1960s and the 1970s produced several dies. boring, although both Sharma and Dosanjh Reygadas and Kings by Turkey’s Deniz Gamze fi lms that were all about ghosts. Some of Phillauri traverses 98 years to the 2017 are quite good, giving us nuanced portrayals Erguven. Kings is based on the true story of them were about reincarnation – often with Amritsar, where Kanan (Suraj Sharma of the of what it to go through forbidden love. Roman Polanski, who is still being haunted women playing spirits invariably in white Life of Pi fame) is all set to wed his childhood However, the fi lm peps up when it shifts by the ghost of rape – a terrible incident that attire. These movies were scary all right. sweetheart, Anu (Mehreen Pirzada). But he to 2017 – taking us through the confusion blotted his life many decades ago in the US. Really scary. is born under an evil star which necessitates and angst of Kanan as he grapples with the Lee Chang Dong may also be on the Croisette In recent times, Tamil cinema in its a marriage with a tree before he can tie the presence of the ghost – a factor that gets him (Cannes’s pretty beach front) with his desperate bid to clinch a universal screening knot with Anu. He marries the tree and it is even nervous about settling down with the mystery fi lm, Burning, inspired by a work by certifi cate turned ghosts into comic fi gures. then chopped off . And Shashi who has been pretty Anu. She, in turn, is angry and tense Haruki Murakami. The fear factor was completely missing, and living in the tree fi nds herself homeless. She imagining the worst. Has Kanan changed his the supernatural beings, in spite of their wanders into Kanan’s home and causes in all mind about her? z Gautaman Bhaskaran has covered the hideous appearances, were downright funny, her innocence a whole lot of turbulence. She But then all well that ends well with Dutt Cannes Film Festival for over 25 years, and even idiotic! While these movies were silly, mistakenly believes that Kanan has married and Lal deciding that audiences cannot may be e-mailed at [email protected] they did get their fair share of theatrical footfalls. However, this trend now seems to be on the wane. It is in this context that Anshai Lal’s debut feature, Phillauri, grabbed my attention. Here was a ghost which was neither fearsome nor funny. She, yes she, seemed so docile and innocent and lost, and when she emerges from a tree 98 years after she committed suicide, she is bewildered by the kind of people and situation she sees around. Played by Anushka Sharma (whom we last saw in NH 45 as a fi ery woman who killed the rogues who had murdered her young husband), Shashi the ghost who lived around 1919 – at the time when the Jallianwala Bagh massacre happened in Amritsar – is a poetess. Terrence Malick’s Radegund is slated for release in 2017. A scene from Happy End. Wednesday, March 29, 2017 GULF TIMES 15 HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY
Going live-action is no sure bet Ghost in the Shell is the latest animated property to undergo the transformation process into a live-action movie — and to judge by last week’s monster opening of Beauty and the Beast ($170 million), it’s a pretty smart strategy. On the other hand … as these examples show, a cartoon going “live” can lead to anything from joy to disaster:
101 Dalmatians (1996) A dog. In revisiting the 1961 animated Disney fi lm, Stephen Herek had at his disposal a script by John Hughes and a leading lady in Glenn Close as Cruella De Vil, but it hardly gave the old imperilled puppy movie a new leash on life. However, reports last year said yet another Dalmatians is reportedly on the non-drawing board, one which — a la Wicked or Malefi cent (another live-action remake) — will be a prequel about how Cruella got that way. The alleged title: Cruella. The alleged star: Emma Stone. We’ll see.
THE PROTAGONIST: Scarlett Johansson as The Major in Ghost in The Shell. The Cat in The Hat (2003) First it was the beloved Dr Seuss book of 1957, then the 1971 animated TV show, then, most notoriously, it was the movie starring Mike Myers, which we don’t even like to think about. Cloying, vulgar and boring, the fi lm is — as Leonard For anime fans, Maltin’s movie guide puts it — “a betrayal of everything Dr Seuss ever stood for.”
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) Another assault on Dr Seuss, this vehicle for Jim Carrey used gross-out big shoes to fill humour, awkwardly adult references and an overly antic and for the Japanese animation industry — when was to adapt and yet honor the original material.” approach to the gentle Seuss tale By John Anderson it hit US shores almost exactly 19 years ago Sanders’ Ghost in the Shell, which co-stars to make an inadvertent tribute to this month. A generation of animé lovers were Juliette Binoche and Michael Pitt and was Chuck Jones’ 1966 masterpiece of exposed to it at an impressionable time in their written by Jamie Moss, became controversial concision and wit. he opening moments of the new Ghost movie-consuming careers. as soon as Johansson was cast as the lead: That in the Shell — a minute-and-a-half “Oshii’s Ghost in the Shell arrived on the a non-Asian would be playing the principal Alice In Wonderland (2010) establishing shot of its futuristic Western radar at a perfect moment — and not character in the remake of such an iconic One of the more iconic Disney city and its hero, The Major (Scarlett just by capturing so many of the tropes and Japanese story struck many as just another case animations of the early years and Johansson) — could have taken concerns of the cyberpunk movement,” said of Hollywood “whitewashing.” However, Oshii yet another based on a literary quiteT a bit of time if it had been done on only Rupert Bottenberg, programmer of the Axis has apparently given his blessing to Johansson, chestnut (Uncle Walt always liked one computer, said the fi lm’s visual-eff ects animation section at Montreal’s Fantasia fi lm and the cast does include several Asian stars, material that was in the public supervisor, Guillaume Rocheron. “About 33 festival, and who presented and interviewed including one of the biggest, the actor and domain). When Lewis Carroll’s years,” he guessed. director Oshii there two years ago. (“I was director Takeshi Kitano. story got the phantasmagorical Luckily, they had more than one computer. reading Masamune Shirow’s mangas in the late “I grew up watching the fi lms of Takeshi-san, Tim Burton treatment, so did Ghost in the Shell, which opens Friday, ’80s, well before the animé.”) from Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, to Sonatine Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska March 31, involves crime, intrigue and Major’s Bottenberg said that Saturday-morning and to Hana-bi, “ said Sanders, “and when fi rst and Helena Bonham-Carter — all realisation that her life was stolen when she was after-school cartoons had familiarised kids with casting for the role of Aramaki there was no-one of whom returned for last year’s made into a cyber-enhanced crime-fi ghting the animé style and sensibility, but the quality of else in my mind. It was a challenge to schedule, Alice Through the Looking Glass. machine. It is intended to amaze with its Japanese animation, since the ’60s, had been all he is always busy, but I was incredibly persistent Burton apparently has his heart transformation of the beloved 1995 animé into a about “cutting corners.” When the sophisticated and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Even when I set on a live-action “Dumbo.” We live-action Hollywood spectacle. But Rocheron Akira hit screens in 1988, it was a revelation. But had to tell the studio that he would only speak in tremble with anticipation. said the intention was also to do as much it took GITS in 1995 to show that Akira wasn’t Japanese, I wouldn’t back down.” “practically” as they could. a fl uke, that the Japanese animation industry At the world premiere of Ghost in the Shell The Jungle Book (2016) A “We tried to be as tactile as possible,” he said, had metamorphosed into something far more in Tokyo, a news conference brought together revelation and a movie destined “which was always Rupert’s mission.” technically advanced. members of the international cast, including for repeat viewings by multiple Director Rupert Sanders (Snow White and “The streak of sexiness and the du-jour Kitano and Johansson. generations, Jon Favreau’s the Huntsman), along with Rocheron and the cyberpunk themes were important, of course,” “Appearing in a real Hollywood fi lm with a adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling rest of their fi lmmaking team, were under Bottenberg said. “But Oshii’s removed, big budget was a very good experience for me; adventure stories — which were quite a bit of pressure: The animated Japanese abstracted, philosophising tone confi rmed what Scarlett taught me how to behave when working the basis for the Disney cartoon version, directed by Mamoru Oshii (and adapted Akira had suggested — that cartoons no longer as an actor,” said Kitano, who has about 64 movie of 1967 — uses state-of- from the popular manga, or comic book), needed to be synonymous with kooky and acting credits and is something of a one-man the-art animatronics and graphic has an enormous cult following. It was just cuddly.” entertainment empire in Japan. imagery to immerse the viewer and released on BluRay / HD digital by Anchor Bay Given the impact of GITS, a live-action For her part, Johansson left any controversies its young hero, Mowgli (Neel Sethi) Entertainment with a limited edition steelbook remake assumed immediate baggage. to others. “This fi lm was a labour of love for all in the forests of India, and the and exclusive Mondo artwork (there have been “I knew it would be impossible to simply of us, and it’s a property that’s beloved by all of “law of the jungle.” Bill Murray, numerous other fi lms and TV series, as well). remake the original,” said Sanders. “We had to you,” she told the Japanese media. “And it feels Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba and Lupita To say it has a fan base is to do it an injustice: fi nd a story that felt part of the world, part of the very fi tting and deeply touching to bring this fi lm Nyong’o provide voices. Ghost in the Shell broke new ground — for fans, legacy, and not just a recreation. My approach here for the world premiere.” — Newsday/TNS 16 GULF TIMES Wednesday, March 29, 2017 COMMUNITY
Indonesian community holds badminton championship
The Indonesian community in Qatar, in collaboration with the Indonesian embassy, organised community and expatriates from various countries to meet each other. its 2017 Badminton Championship recently. The tournament was attended by Indonesian The tournament also featured traditional dances from various Indonesian provinces, presented by ambassador Air Marshal (Retd) Muhammad Basri Sidehabi and Chairman of Indonesian children of the Indonesian expatriates working in Qatar. Community in Qatar (Permiqa), Edwin Kurniawan. According to Indonesian Embassy’s Minister Counsellor, Boy Dharmawan, the championship Ambassador Basri welcomed and appreciated the tournament held by Permiqa, particularly at a not only promoted sports, but was also an opportunity for Indonesian community to showcase time when the two countries are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. a variety of exciting traditional cuisines to the expatriates. Various tables provided Indonesian “The tournament promotes socio-cultural diplomacy in Qatar,” said the former Indonesian cuisine from various provinces, such as satay, tofu cake, soto, somay, bakwan, rendang, Indonesian Member of Parliament. Edwin said the championship is to facilitate the activities of the Indonesian traditional cake, bakwan and bakso.
Sri Lankan community participates in Qatar Community Festival
The expatriate Sri Lankan community in Qatar participated in the Qatar Community Festival held prior to the Asia Qualifiers Football World Cup 2018 (Russia) match between Qatar and Iran recently. At the Qatar Community Festival Fan Zone organised by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Sri Lankan community in Qatar showcased cultural dances by the students of Dinu Rangayathanaya, choreographed by Dinuk Lawrance. Dilmah, a tea brand from Sri Lanka, set up two booths, while one booth was set up by the New White Oceanic Restaurants.