Community Community The Katara French Cultural expatriate P9Village P16 Pierre Daniel organises third completes 475km edition of “School epic run around Enriches Our Qatar alone in Culture” programme. seven days.

Wednesday, February 28, 2018 Jumada II 12, 1439 AH

DOHA 20°C—24°C TODAY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 11 PUZZLES 12 & 13 The new

COVER STORY buzz Jennifer Lawrence takes risque step in Red Sparrow. P4-5 2 GULF TIMES Wednesday, February 28, 2018 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 4.42am Shorooq (sunrise) 5.58am Zuhr (noon) 11.47am Asr (afternoon) 3.06pm Maghreb (sunset) 5.37pm Isha (night) 7.07pm

USEFUL NUMBERS

Welcome To New York which Hero Diljit Dosanjh, a sloppy recovery agent, and Jeenal DIRECTION: Chakri Toleti Patel (Sonakshi Sinha), a fashion designer, become part of a CAST: Sonakshi Sinha, Diljit Dosanjh, Karan Johar big Bollywood event in New York and chaos ensues. SYNOPSIS: Welcome to New York is a comedy fi lm, in THEATRES: Landmark, The Mall,Royal Plaza 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, 40253369 Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 Mission Kathmandu: The Adventures Of SYNOPSIS: Quebec City, 1955. Nelly the intuitive but disorganised Nelly and Qatar Airways 40253374 Nelly & Simon Maloye, an ebullient novice detective, the methodical, obsessive Simon set DIRECTION: Pierre Greco, Nancy accidentally crosses paths with Simon off on a wild adventure, determined to Florence Savar Picard, an ambitious research assistant prove the existence of the Abominable CAST: Sylvie Moreau, Guillaume in anthropology at the local university. Snowman. Lemay-Thivierge, Rachid Badouri Backed by a glory seeking philanthropist, THEATRES: The Mall, Royal Plaza ote Unquo u te The Mall Cinema (1): Aadhi Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): Q Happiness (Malayalam) 2:15pm; Hey Jude Mission Kathmandu: The Adventures is not something you (Malayalam) 4:45pm; Three Billboards Of Nelly And Simon (2D) 2pm; Mission Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2D) 7:30pm; Kathmandu: The Adventures Of Nelly postpone for the future; it is Mom And Dad (2D) 9:45pm; Sonu Ke (Malayalam) 5pm; Welcome To New And Simon (2D) 3:30pm; Mission Titu Ki Sweety (Hindi) 11:30pm. York (Hindi) 7:30pm; Mom And Dad Kathmandu: The Adventures Of Nelly something you design for the The Mall Cinema (2): Mission (2D) 10pm; Welcome To New York And Simon (2D) 5pm; Black Panther present. Kathmandu: The Adventures Of (Hindi) 11:30pm. (2D) 6:30pm; Hey Jude (Malayalam) Nelly And Simon (2D) 2pm; Mission Landmark Cinema (2): Mission 9pm; Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (Hindi) — Jim Rohn Kathmandu: The Adventures Of Kathmandu: The Adventures Of Nelly 11:30pm. Nelly And Simon (2D) 3:30pm; Black And Simon (2D) 2:30pm; Mission Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): Panther (2D) 5pm; Game Night (2D) Kathmandu: The Adventures Of Welcome To New York (Hindi) 7:30pm; Welcome To New York Nelly And Simon (2D) 4pm; Mission 2pm; Aadhi (Malayalam) 4:30pm; (Hindi) 9:15pm; Wolf Warrior 2 (2D) Kathmandu: The Adventures Of Nelly Wolf Warrior 2 (2D) 7:15pm; War 11:30pm. And Simon (2D) 5:30pm; Hey Jude Commanders China Salesman (2D) The Mall Cinema (3): Welcome To (Malayalam) 7pm; War Commanders 9:30pm; Game Night (2D) 11:30pm. Community Editor New York (Hindi) 2:15pm; Sonu Ke China Salesman (2D) 9:30pm; Black Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): Kamran Rehmat Titu Ki Sweety (Hindi) 4:30pm; War Panther (2D) 11:30pm. Hey Jude (Malayalam) 2:30pm; War Commanders China Salesman (2D) Landmark Cinema (3): Game Commanders China Salesman (2D) e-mail: [email protected] 7pm; Black Panther (2D) 9pm; Hey Night (2D) 2:30pm; Black Panther 5pm; Welcome To New York (Hindi) Telephone: 44466405 Jude (Malayalam) 11:30pm. (2D) 4:30pm; Game Night (2D) 7pm; 7pm; Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Fax: 44350474 Landmark Cinema (1): Aadhi Hey Jude (Malayalam) 8:45pm; Wolf Missouri (2D) 9:15pm; Mom And Dad (Malayalam) 2:15pm; Hey Jude Warrior 2 (2D) 11:15pm. (2D) 11:30pm. Wednesday, February 28, 2018 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

Qatar Running Series flowers, honey and meat, poultry and WHERE: MIA Park diary items. For those of you looking for WHEN: ongoing till April 13 traditional Qatari food, there will also be TIME: 7am stalls selling homemade foods such as Get ready for Qatar Running Series at Machbous. Farm-grown goods include MIA Park. The events will take place in Mia aubergines, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, Park and comprise of distances ranging courgettes, cauliflower, herbs, and chilies. from 3k to 10k. All events will be run on There are also animal products such as accurately measured short courses with chicken, milk, cheese and eggs from Qatari multiple laps and will be restricted to a companies like Baladna and Al Waha maximum of 130 participants. Poultry Company. Mall of Qatar Fun Fair WHERE: Mall Of Qatar Torba Farmers Market EVENTS Babies, Pregnancy & Parenting WHEN: Until April 15 WHERE: Education City Workshop The Mall of Qatar has expanded to WHEN: Ongoing Qatar International Boat Show WHERE: Wyndham Grand Regency bring you “Doha’s best outdoor theme TIME: 9am WHERE: The Pearl-Qatar Doha hotel park”. Come with your family and friends Qatar Foundation (QF) has partnered WHEN: March 13-17 WHEN: March 10 to enjoy the new rides and attractions – with Torba Farmers Market, a Qatar-based Qatar International Boat Show is a TIME: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Trampoline, Giant Slide, Wind Tunnel, initiative that aims to deliver organic must-exhibit event for boaters and anyone Starfi sh Lane Kids nurseries has joined Disco Tagada, Meltdown, Surfing and and locally-grown food and homemade thinking of getting into boating as it serves forces with HUGGIES and Doha’s maternal much more to enjoy with family and products, to host a weekly market in as an ideal maritime-industry networking and paediatric experts to deliver the second friends. Come all and enjoy life. Education City. Open to the public, the platform and a key business driver for the “Babies, Pregnancy & Parenting” event in market be held at QF’s Ceremonial Court, marine sector boosting regional marine March 2018. Parent education is a key to Souq Waqif Spring Festival accessible from gate 2, every Thursday industry. Each year this event brings building strong families and communities. WHERE: Souq Waqif from 9am-4pm and every Friday from the entire recreational boating industry “When parents know better, they do better”. WHEN: Ongoing 8am-11am and 2pm-5pm.The name together manufacturers, dealers and This non-profi t community event is only TIME: Evening ‘Torba’ is derived from Arabic, and means boating consumers. Qatar International possible through the support of our sponsors Souq Waqif is hosting Spring Festival “the pure soil that feeds, nourishes, and Boat Show 5th Edition will take place from and partners and the speakers who will share events until April 25. The festival is nurtures.” A wide range of fresh, locally- 13th March to 17th March 2018 at Porto their knowledge with parents. organised by the Organizing Committee grown items will be on offer, including Arabia, The Pearl- Qatar. of the Private Engineering Office. This organic fruits and vegetables, homemade year’s festival offers a range of family- preserves, syrups, and butters, as well as Extreme Desert Show friendly fun including parades, shows, handicrafts and gardening supplies. WHEN: March 2 onwards plays, music featuring top stars and TIME: 1:30pm - 6:30pm children’s entertainment. Spring Festival Experience the desert in a real traditional will also present fine arts events in the way. It includes a desert safari, dune various sections of Souq Waqif Arts bashing and a trip to inland sea. Watch a Center, including workshops directed to all thrilling Extreme Desert Show only for visitors. 170QR per person. Call 3339 3323 for more inquiries. Foodex Qatar 2018 WHEN: May 3-5 WHERE: Doha Exhibition and Date festival Convention Centre WHERE: Souq Waqif Qatar is the most urbanised nation WHEN: Ongoing till March 15 among the GCC states. Urban lifestyles The festival “Souq Al Tumur Al Musami have raised the standard of living of Breakdance Classes (Seasonal Dates’ Market) started from individuals and changed their eating WHEN: Sunday-Wednesday February 15 and would continue till March pattern, resulting in a shift in the diet Breakdancing is part of the Hip Hop 15, 2018, said a release. The registration is towards protein rich foods as well as culture that originated in New York free for local and international companies packaged and fast food. Consumption of and has since spread all over the world. producing, importing and supplying dates. such premium products has contributed to Breakdancing is an athletic and acrobatic The venue of the festival, Souq Waqif the growth of the food industry. FOODEX style of dancing, which can often appear Full Moon BBQ Night is a destination for visitors and tourists will strengthen the Qatari food industry to defy the laws of physics. This extreme WHERE: Island Sea from Qatar and abroad and is highly to meet the standards of rising expatriate dance-sport uses tremendous upper- WHEN: March 2 popular among citizens and expatriates, population, tourism, and developing tastes body strength for tricks and poses and TIME: 2:00pm - 10:00pm for its activities, exhibitions and festivals of Western foods. a great way to get into shape and have A Full Moon BBQ night takes place at throughout the year. The seasonal market fun. Register now by calling 33003839 or the inland sea with desert safari and dune for dates will provide a platform for Remote-controlled car racing track e-mail [email protected] bashing. Enjoy an exciting dune bashing companies to showcase varieties of dates, WHERE: Aspire Park ride of 40 to 50 minutes and dinner at the and the products made of dates. WHEN: Thu, Fri, Sat Zumba Session Inland Sea under the full moon. Delicious TIME: 4pm-10pm WHERE: Bin Omran and live BBQ of chicken and lamb is for Halal Qatar Festival Aspire Zone Foundation has created a WHEN: Sundays everyone. All inclusive is for 260QR per WHERE: Katara Parking Area 01 custom-made track specially designed TIME: 7pm - 8pm person. Call 3339 3323 for more inquiries. WHEN: March 2 to 10 for remote-control car racing, for car Participate in Zumba Sessions (Adults) The theme of the festival centers on a lovers across Doha. Interested motorsport every Sunday. For more information call distinct feature of our heritage, one that enthusiasts can try the race track opposite 33003839 or [email protected] is drawn from deep within the deserts of the Aspire Academy, from 4pm to 10pm on Qatar sheep and goat breeding. The festival Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Off -Road biking tour will present specific methods that help in WHERE: Zekreet breeding and raising sheep and will also Outdoor and five-a-side football WHEN: Fridays showcase numerous traditional events pitches Blue Pearl Experience Qatar is offering along with educational and recreational WHERE: Aspire Zone the country’s first off-road biking tour. activities. Here is an opportunity to revive WHEN: Daily Ride in the desert on a fat bike to explore the Qatari heritage and relive their simple TIME: 7pm-11pm the local flora and fauna spot desert lives amidst the dunes, at Al-Mazain, Aspire Zone’s five-a-side football wildlife, hike up jebels, chill in the magic of Al-Mazad Auction, and sheep barns outdoor pitches opposite Al Waab Street the Richard Serra statues and this unique presentation at Katara. are available every day from 7pm until landscape. Participants will get to cross CIRQUE LE SOIR 11pm from Sundays to Thursdays, and on the desert riding fat bikes from Zekreet WHERE: West Bay, Zone 61, Street 831, The Katara International Beach Fridays and Saturdays from 7am-11pm. to the Richard Serra statues, on a route of Building 262, Doha Volleyball approximately 13kms. The route is easy to WHEN: Tomorrow till March 2 WHERE: Katara Mahaseel Festival ride and suitable for people with average TIME: 9:00 pm - 2:00 am WHEN: March 6-10 WHEN: Thu, Fri, Sat fitness. You must be able to ride. Kids aged Enjoy Cirque Le Soir live at Crystal The Katara International Beach Volleyball WHERE: Katara 9 and older are also welcome. The fee is this Thursday March 1 and March 2. The Cup 2018 will be held at Amphitheater in TIME: 9am-10pm QR 220 (QR190 for ages 9-14) and includes timings for the show will be 9pm - 2am. For Katara from 6 to 10 March 2018. Be there Visitors to the festival can expect a bike and safety equipment. The activity reservation call: 4453 5135 / 3017 7049. and experience the beach volley ball variety of products from local vegetables, lasts about 2.5 hours.

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Wednesday, February 28, 2018 COMMUNITY COVER STORY Commander Lawrence At age 27 — two years younger than Meryl Streep was when she received her first-ever Academy Award nomination — Jennifer Lawrence has already scored four Oscar nods, winning the lead actress prize for 2012’s Silver Linings Playbook, writes Josh Rottenberg

s she slipped into Based on the 2013 novel by a corner booth in a “If you focus so hard on making something that’s former CIA operative Jason restaurant at a Beverly politically correct, the art will suffer. Art is subjective. Matthews, the R-rated Red Sparrow Hills hotel on a recent is sexually charged and often afternoon, Jennifer Some people are going to hate it, some people are brutal, punctuated with scenes LawrenceA was buzzing. of assassination, torture and An obsessive fan of reality TV, she going to love it” attempted rape. When director had just spotted someone across the — Jennifer Lawrence Francis Lawrence, who helmed room who had appeared on a certain three Hunger Games fi lms, fi rst reality series she watches, and she and X-Men franchises and smaller To her legions of admirers, she’s played, one that pushed her approached her about the project, needed a moment to settle down fi lms like Winter’s Bone and though, an essential part of well outside of her comfort zone. Lawrence immediately fell in love and focus. “Sorry, I’m still excited American Hustle, have collectively Lawrence’s appeal is that, for all She stars as Dominika Egorova, with the character. But, still shaken about my celebrity sighting,” she grossed more than $5.6 billion her success, she still comes across a Russian prima ballerina who is by the hacking in 2014 of her private said. “I’m all jacked up.” worldwide. At age 27 — two years as just the sort of regular person coerced by her spymaster uncle intimate photos, she felt wary about It goes without saying, of course, younger than Meryl Streep was who’d freak out at seeing someone into becoming a covert intelligence diving into a fi lm that would require that Lawrence is not just a celebrity when she received her fi rst-ever she recognised from a reality TV agent. Trained in a top-secret school her to act in such explicit scenes. herself but one of the biggest ones Academy Award nomination — she show. in the arts of seduction, Egorova “It was really that — if it weren’t currently inhabiting the planet. has already scored four Oscar nods, In her latest movie, the spy thriller is sent on a mission to pry secrets for that it would have been an easy To date, her movies, including winning the lead actress prize for Red Sparrow, opening tomorrow, from an American CIA agent (Joel yes,” said Lawrence. “But I knew blockbusters in the Hunger Games 2012’s Silver Linings Playbook. Lawrence takes on a role unlike any Edgerton). that if there was anybody who could Wednesday, February 28, 2018 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

home to Lawrence over the last couple of years. Her most recent fi lm, Darren Aronofsky’s allegorical horror fi lm Mother! sharply divided critics and received a rare F CinemaScore from audiences. The fi lm before that, 2016’s sci-fi romance Passengers, co-starring Chris Pratt, looked like a project that couldn’t miss — “and then it did,” Lawrence said, grossing a less-than-spectacular $100 million domestically and earning generally poor reviews. As she’s gotten older, Lawrence has become increasingly aware that the line between success and failure in Hollywood can be thin. “It’s a very fi ckle industry,” she said. “I probably felt bulletproof when I was doing Hunger Games, but I was also young so I didn’t care. I was used to doing movies and then they go well — that was my reality. Then it’s scary because it’s just like any job. If you’re demanding a salary and you’re saying, ‘I am worth this,’ you have to prove you’re worth that or your worth goes down.” She paused. “This is not an industry for the weak of heart.” In conversation, Lawrence is a live wire, quick-witted and unscripted. One moment she is speaking seriously about how, following the election of Donald Trump as president, her “head kind of blew off ” and she decided to throw herself into the cause of getting money out of politics. The make this material that’s really the way we want to be treated,” next moment, chatting casually salacious and daring tasteful, it’s she said. “There was a norm that about a doctor’s appointment, “I think Jen is fearless,” said Red Francis.” In the end, she says, the existed before that I had been a part she pulls off a cotton ball that was Sparrow producer Jenno Topping, experience felt empowering. “It of as well. I had, like, guys’ hands bandaged onto her arm after she kind of belittled the whole thing in on my legs and I didn’t want to had blood drawn and muses, “What president of film and television at a weird way. It’s just a body. It’s my move them because I didn’t want to if I just put this in my mouth and body. I love my body.” seem crazy or whatever. There was was like, ‘Anyway, what were you Chernin Entertainment. “She’s just “I think Jen is fearless,” said Red stuff that happened to me when I saying?’” so committed to being an actor first Sparrow producer Jenno Topping, was younger that now is not going With her usual candour, president of fi lm and television at to be normal.” Lawrence admits that when she as opposed to being a star first” Chernin Entertainment. “She’s just Highlighting some of the trickier won the Oscar for Silver Linings so committed to being an actor fi rst dynamics of the conversation over Playbook, she felt like an impostor. as opposed to being a star fi rst.” women and power in Hollywood, An unknown just a few years before, her power, Lawrence — already out and six more show up at its When he began adapting Red days later, controversy erupted over with no formal training, she was precociously self-possessed funeral.” Sparrow for the screen three photos of Lawrence taken during still fi guring out her approach to from the moment she arrived in She continued, “There are times years ago, Francis Lawrence was the Red Sparrow press tour. She was acting and hadn’t thought her Hollywood — has learned to stand when everybody is looking at you, concerned that a Cold War thriller wearing a revealing dress outside on performance in the romantic drama up even more fi rmly for herself. listening to you, talking about you, about a spy who uses sex as a a chilly London day, surrounded by was particularly strong. When the subject of her recent and you feel incredibly vulnerable weapon might not feel relevant. In male co-stars fully covered. Social “My best friend was like, ‘Bradley “worst actress” Golden Raspberry and it’s hard to sleep. It’s awful. a twist he couldn’t have foreseen, media lit up with criticisms that the [Cooper] is amazing in it but I nomination for Mother! comes up, But that only lasts for a few months the fi lm is now set to hit theatres images represent how women are didn’t think you were that good,’” for example, instead of laughing it and then it goes back to normal. If I as stories of Russian espionage are treated in Hollywood. she said. “When I think I’m bad off , she fiercely defends both the could have told myself that when I the stuff of screaming headlines Lawrence responded in a in a movie and it’s confi rmed by movie and her own work in it. was 21, I would have been a lot more and controversies over sexual Facebook post, calling the kerfuffl e my best friends and then I win an “If I ever got nominated for sane.” misconduct continue to reverberate “utterly ridiculous”: “Overreacting Oscar — that will give you impostor something and I was like, ‘Yeah, Having worked virtually nonstop, across Hollywood and beyond. about everything someone says or syndrome right away.” that blew,’ I would totally go (to the Lawrence has pressed pause on Against the backdrop of the does, creating controversy over silly Lawrence can be her own Razzies ceremony),” Lawrence said. acting. She has projects at varying #MeToo movement, the fi lmmaker innocuous things such as what I harshest critic. (Acknowledging the “But I popped a rib out doing that stages of development, including admits he’s not sure how audiences choose to wear or not wear, is not daunting process of working on a movie. Don’t try to tell me that that with Steven Spielberg, Adam will receive the movie’s depictions moving us forward,” she said. “It’s Russian accent for Red Sparrow, she was a bad … performance.” McKay and Amy Schumer. of sexual violence, including a creating silly distractions from real joked, “watch me get annihilated “I admire the way she’s learning For now, though, she is happy to scene in which a wealthy, powerful issues. Everything you see me wear for it.”) But she has grown more to handle the ups and downs be throwing her energy into other man tries to rape Lawrence’s is my choice. And if I want to be secure in her abilities and her place of public performance while endeavours she cares about, such as character. “These are themes that cold THATS MY CHOICE TOO!” in Hollywood. remaining true to herself,” said the grass-roots, nonpartisan anti- have unfortunately been happening As for what gets depicted in a “It’s important for anyone in David O. Russell, who directed corruption group Represent.Us and in our world for hundreds, if not fi lm like Red Sparrow, however, their job, especially a woman, to Lawrence in Silver Linings Playbook the Time’s Up campaign. thousands, of years,” he said. “It’s Lawrence argues that is an entirely know their worth and own it,” said and later in American Hustle and As far as her career, Lawrence a coincidence that this movie now separate matter. “At the end of the actress, who wrote an essay in 2015’s Joy, each of which earned isn’t sure what the future holds. happens to coincide with the events the day, we’re the movie industry 2015 about the gender pay gap in her Oscar nods, and who is a close “I no longer try to make that are in the news. It’s really — we’re going to have (physical Hollywood after it was revealed in friend. “She keeps taking risks, predictions about movies,” she said. tricky for me to say how audiences intimacy), we’re going to have the Sony hack that she and Amy keeps making movies and, most “It will drive you crazy. There are so are going to react.” violence,” she said. “If you focus Adams were paid less than their important of all, keeps her sincerity. many things that could stress you Moved by her experiences so hard on making something male co-stars in 2013’s American Cynicism or talking things down is out. Keep your priorities straight. with sexual harassment and that’s politically correct, the art Hustle. “It’s not making the same a dissipation at the end of the day.” That’s my only advice to myself … . objectifi cation and stories shared will suff er. Art is subjective. Some mistake of believing what someone But even as impostor syndrome Don’t believe them when they love by other women, Lawrence is people are going to hate it, some tells you you’re worth. You know abated, Lawrence said wryly, you, because then you’ll believe involved in Hollywood’s Time’s people are going to love it.” your worth.” “Many other syndromes have them when they hate you.” — Los Up campaign. “We’re reshaping That lesson has been brought As she has come more fully into come to replace it. You pluck one Angeles Times/TNS 6 GULF TIMES Wednesday, February 28, 2018 COMMUNITY DPS-MIS student debaters shine at QUDL

The fourth Qatar Universities Debating League (QUDL) recently took place at CNAQ (College need to get financial support to have multiple children and the right to try laws for adoption. of the North Atlantic - Qatar). Three teams of DPS Modern Indian School (DPS-MIS) debaters DPS-MIS debaters gave their best and earned respect from other participants. Team Farhan and participated in the league. Numerous debaters from diff erent universities of Qatar also took part in Sandra got the fourth position; Team Fahad and Nakshatra ninth; and Team Akshal and Priyal the the competition. The teams debated three rounds, each tackling issues concerning appointments 16th position, respectively. In the individual category, Farhan got the second, Sandra and Nakshatra in Shura Council for Qatari citizens over the age of 18 years, why in ageing societies the couples eighth, Fahad 11th, Priyal 29th and Akshal 30th position, respectively.

PISQ holds open house session for parents, students

Pakistan International School, Qatar of their current classroom activities with (PISQ) recently held an open house prospective students, their parents and event where parents and their children other visitors. An art corner was also visited the school and interacted with the established where children were engaged teachers and other staff . in face painting and other art activities. The school hosted the event under the An array of food stalls were also arranged. theme “Teachers open the door but Hafiz Junaid Amir Siyal, Community you must enter by yourself.” The event Welfare Attaché, Embassy of Pakistan drew huge crowd from all segments of to Qatar, also graced the occasion. He the society. It was relatively an informal encouraged and applauded the best occasion designed to allow people to endeavour put up by the school. drop in and obtain first-hand information PISQ Principal Nargis Raza Otho about the institution at their convenience. expressed her deep gratitude to all the The open house session provide an guests for sparing their valuable time opportunity to the visitors to learn about and giving a positive response and facilities and resources available for the constructive feedback. students at PISQ. Teachers and students “The success of PISQ is not possible standing on their respective wing booths without participation of all the stake shared visual and verbal presentations holders”, she said.

PSSC hosts Arabic debate competition

An Arabic language debate competition was recently held at Pak Shamaa School and College Qatar Debate Organisation which is one of the prominent members of Qatar Foundation. (PSSC). Fifteen girls’ secondary schools participated in the completion. The main objective of holding such competitions was to promote Arabic language. The PSSC Principal Nabila Kaukab welcomed all the participants and co-ordinators saying that it was competition also helps in nurturing the future leaders as Qatar Foundation is devoted to the pleasure that the competition was being held in her school. The competition was arranged by future development of the country. Wednesday, February 28, 2018 GULF TIMES 7 COMMUNITY Nepali embassy holds programme for community welfare

The Embassy of Nepal in Qatar recently organised an interactive programme named “sharing in recent elections. She also appreciated the work and activities of the Embassy of Nepal in and hearing”. The programme was attended by different community organisations. The Qatar. programme was part of a regular programme earlier launched by the embassy to gather Ambassador Prof Dr Koirala said that the embassy had extended its working hours. With one valuable suggestions to launch and promote activities aimed at welfare of the community. hour extension, the embassy will work from 8am to 3pm. He also praised the new labour laws Ambassador Prof Dr Ramesh Prasad Koirala also attended the programme. of Qatar and said that every Nepali should abide by the country’s laws. He noted that the Nepali Parliamentarian Brinda Pandey was also present in the programme. Pandey said that embassy was preparing to celebrate 40 years of bilateral ties with Qatar. Nepal had got a government for five years as the ruling alliance achieved landslide victory — Text and photo by Usha Wagle Gautam

Qatar Social Women organises get-together for members

Qatar Social Women (QSW), recently organised first ever meet-up party at Wok of Fame restaurant women in diff erent fields. More than 35 women of diff erent countries and communities attended to welcome the new members. The get-together also aimed at socialising with expatriate women the meet-up, which ended with fun activities and games organised by members Sheeba Zameer, community at one platform. QSW is a voluntary group of women helping for the uplift of expatriate Samreen Zafar and Nazia Ziauddin.

IEI Qatar chapter holds workshop for engineers

Qatar chapter of Institution of Engineers, India (IEI) recently organised a full day workshop on “Flow Network Design and Surge Analysis” at Hotel Oryx Rotana. Eminent speaker, Professor Arun Moharir, PhD Chemical Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology (Mumbai), conducted four technical sessions on the topic with various real life examples. He also presented diff erent case studies. As many as 40 engineers benefited from the workshop. Asim Anwar, Third Secretary, Embassy of India graced the occasion as chief guest and felicitated the speaker. On this occasion, IIT Mumbai announced special discount for online Piping Engineering Certificate Course to the members of IEI Qatar chapter. 8 GULF TIMES Wednesday, February 28, 2018 COMMUNITY MOTORING Ferrari 488 Pista, a blend of exhilaration, performance

he Ferrari 488 Pista, which will be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, is the successor to Ferrari’s V8-enginedT special series - the 360 Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia and 458 Speciale – which have received critical acclaim for their performance and undiluted handling. The Ferrari 488 Pista marks a signifi cant step forward from the previous special series in terms of both sporty dynamics and for the level of technological carry- over from racing. The name is, in fact, a direct homage to Ferrari’s unparalleled heritage in motor sports. The car’s development evolved directly from the company’s involvement in the FIA World Endurance Championship - where it has won fi ve manufacturers’ titles in the GTE class in the six years since the series’ inception, taking 29 out of 50 races - and 25 years’ extreme evolution of the turbo a feeling of consistently smooth, have also been redesigned, and Side-Slip Angle Control system. experience in running the Ferrari unit that has won the overall powerful acceleration with even the rear diff user incorporates the SSC 6.0 incorporates all the Challenge one-make series. International Engine of the Year faster turbo response times despite same double kink as the 488 GTE following systems: E-Diff 3, F1- The Ferrari 488 Pista’s extensive award titles in both 2016 and 2017. the increase in power. to increase the air extraction and Trac, the magnetorheological weight saving solutions, along It punches out 720 cv with the The engine sound is unique downforce generation compared to suspension (SCM) and, for the with engine, vehicle dynamics highest specifi c output in its class and unmistakably Ferrari, as such a traditional diff user. In addition, fi rst time ever, the Ferrari Dynamic and aerodynamic developments (185 cv/l) and is now lighter too, a special car warrants. Both the the rear blown spoiler is higher Enhancer. The FDE features a all derive from Ferrari’s racing thanks to solutions adopted from sound quality and the intensity and longer and the shape has been world-fi rst: it uses Ferrari software cars: the 488 GTE and the 488 the 488 Challenge, including are higher than the 488 GTB in all optimised. The fi nal result of all to adjust the brake pressure at the Challenge. The result is a car with Inconel exhaust manifolds gears and at all engine speeds in these interventions is an impressive callipers. This additional level an uncompromising mission: to and lightweight crankshaft proportion with the progressive 20% increase in downforce. of control further fi ne-tunes the off er track-like performance on and and fl ywheel, but also thanks increase in power. The vehicle dynamics were Ferrari 488 Pista’s performance off the road, even when in the hands to additional features, such as The Ferrari 488 Pista makes designed to enhance driving through, and powering out of, of non-professional drivers. titanium con rods and carbon-fi bre full use of Ferrari’s motor- pleasure and make the car’s full corners making the car’s handling Compared to the 488 GTB, the intake plenums. sports experience for maximum potential available to all drivers, even more eff ortless, intuitive and new model weighs an impressive The 488 Challenge also supplies aerodynamic performance even professional or otherwise. The predictable. The extra confi dence 90 kg less (1280 kg dry) which, the turbos with integrated rev on the road. Among the racing objective was to make the car’s the system gives means that when combined with the largest sensors along with the design of solutions adopted is the front F1- performance on the limit easier to drivers can more easily control ever increase in engine power for a the air intake line which has been inspired S-Duct and the design of reach and control. yaw angles, even on the limit, and special series car (+50cv), results in moved from the fl anks to the rear the front diff users which feature This was achieved by synergies develop a completely symbiotic a new benchmark for Ferrari’s V8 spoiler area to ensure a cleaner fl ow a ramp angle that was optimised between the development of relationship with the car resulting sports cars. of air. for the 488 GTE to create strong the mechanical set-up and the in the perfect combination of Its engine is the most powerful Torque is higher than the 488 suction for increased downforce. electronic dynamic controls genuinely extreme performance V8 in Ferrari history and is an GTB at all engine speeds, delivering The underbody vortex generators integrated into version 6 of the and driving thrills. Wednesday, February 28, 2018 GULF TIMES 9 COMMUNITY Katara theatre screens Pakistani films

The Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) on Tuesday screened three Pakistani films in its drama an important event to present Pakistani culture and art. He added that it was a good platform for theatre for the first time. These included the animation film 3 Bahadur (3 Bravehearts); Chupan cultural co-operation and exchange and would support the Pakistani filmmakers. Chupai (Hide and Seek) and Azad (Independent). Speaking at the conference, Mohammed Assad Khan said the animation film was aimed at A press conference, held at Katara before the screening of the movies, was attended by Dr Khalid entertaining children and family. “It tells a story from the Pakistani reality in a fun and entertaining al Sulaity, General Manager of Katara Cultural Village, Shahzad Ahmed, Pakistani Ambassador to way,” he said. “The second film is Chupan Chupai. We call it a masala film and it has entertainment Qatar, and Mohammed Assad Khan, a Pakistani film director. value. The third, Azad, is an intellectual and thought provoking work as it revolves around social Ambassador Ahmed expressed his profound thanks to the Katara Cultural Village for hosting such issues in Pakistan,” Khan explained.

Katara holds 3rd School Enriches Culture programme

The Katara Cultural Village recently organised the “School Enriches Our Culture” programme for the third time in a row within its framework of interactive activities with school students. The programme was held in co-operation with several bodies in Katara such as the Katara Beach, Doha Film Institution, Katara Art Studios, Sout Al Khaleej radio, AL Gannas Association, Qatar Music Academy, Poet Majles and Red Velvet Café. The students also visited Katara beach and listened to detailed explanation by the expert sailors about fishing and diving. The programme aims to develop the students’ skills and creativity essential for them along with their academic education, in addition to encourage them to discover the rich heritage in Qatar. The programme had witnessed a great turnout and participation by schools and educational entities in the past two editions. The programme is expected to last until the end of April this year as Katara is frequently receiving school trips. 10 GULF TIMES Wednesday, February 28, 2018 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Wednesday, February 28, 2018 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Use potato slices to treat puff y eyes, suggest experts

aking up with are a nourishing natural skin care puffy eyes is treatment, reducing puffiness of rather common the eyes. and it is easy to treat them. z Puffiness of the eyes can be WDrink sufficient water and use caused by seasonal or inherited refrigerated slices of potatoes to allergies. Allergies prompts us get rid of the puffiness, suggest to rub our eyes more, leading to experts. further puffiness. Visit a doctor Bubbles Singh, Founder at Just and get yourself checked in case of B Au Naturel and Ragini Mehra, any such. Founder at Beauty Source, have listed simple ways to treat your z Use natural products that problem: help reduce dryness, reduce puffiness and hydrate your skin z The easiest way to get rid of like an eye serum or aloe vera puffy eyes is to drink water. When based eye creams which can also the body is well hydrated, there is cool down the eye area. less chance of water retention that can cause your under-eye area and help soothe puffy and irritated z Slices of refrigerated potato help tighten the skin. This remedy These products do not harm the other parts of your body to swell. eyes. They contain anti-irritant or cucumber work as a fantastic will also help get rid of wrinkles eyes, repair and replenish the skin Water also helps flush toxins properties that help reduce natural remedy to get rid of under and dark circles around your eyes. around the eyes, ensuring that you out of the body. swelling around your eyes. You eye puffiness. see a difference in the brightness could even try splashing your The enzymes and the astringent z A mask made of egg whites and texture under your eyes when z Iced compresses like chilled face and eyes with ice cold properties in these vegetables helps in tightening the area you get up in the morning. — green or black tea bags can water. help reduce inflammation and around the eyes, as egg whites IANS

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

A rebirth of romance in your life could take place today, Aries. If you’re Today you might notice a change in yourself, Taurus. You could look in the An unexpected conversation with a current or potential romantic partner currently involved with someone, a happy event could enrich the bond mirror and see that you suddenly look as gorgeous as a movie star. This could end with both of you revealing a lot of your deepest feelings, Gemini. between you and bring you closer together. If you aren’t presently change in your outer self is due to transformations taking place within. This discussion may only indirectly concern the status of your relationship, attached, you could be by the end of the day. You might meet someone You’ve probably been releasing a lot of old traumas from the past, and but you will learn a lot about each other that could cause you to seriously new and exciting, probably an intelligent person who could be involved therefore considerable stress and tension have vanished from your face. consider whether or not you want to continue the relationship. with modern technology. Treat yourself to some new clothes. It’s a great time to do it! CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Some rather intense work, perhaps involving in-depth research, could Today, Leo, you could direct an overwhelming amount of love toward a Information that you retrieve from deep within your psyche might lead to take up much of your time today, Cancer. You could spend a lot of time current or potential romantic partner. Your friend might feel a little taken a revelation as to a great way to increase your income, Virgo. This could be in libraries or on the Internet trying to discern certain facts that you need aback, but is likely to be flattered and therefore respond in a positive something you read and forgot, or it might be something you overheard in for a project that could make a big diff erence in your income. This can be manner. This might not have the potential to become a committed a restaurant. Whatever it is, look into it carefully, and then if the information fascinating and exciting, but there is one caution: remember to rest your relationship, so don’t expect anything from it. Just get to know each other, seems to be accurate and useful, go for it. These days, fortunes are being eyes from time to time. see where the bond takes you, and go with the flow. made in surprising ways! LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Today, Libra, you might attend a group event of some kind. While there, A new creative project of some kind, perhaps involving modern If you’re taking a trip any time soon, Sagittarius, you can expect to you could encounter an old friend who seems to have changed. As a result, technology, could set your career in a new direction, Scorpio. This may be experience a powerful attraction for someone you meet along the way. you might find this person very attractive. This could be disconcerting, but the break you’ve been hoping for, and you’re apt to be very excited about This will definitely make your journey more interesting; however, the don’t brush it off because you’ve always thought of this person as a friend. it. Any new enterprise begun today is going to have its ups and downs, but friendship might not survive the trip. You may be from opposite sides of The most successful marriages are the ones that start out as friendships. all signs indicate that it will succeed. Consider the project carefully before the country, and one or both of you could be involved with other people. making a decision. Then if it feels right, go for it! CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

You could soon receive news of an unexpected cash inflow, Capricorn. This Today the energy is on partnerships, Aquarius, probably those begun on Have you been entertaining the idea of changing jobs, Pisces? If so, might be money earned on your own, but it’s more likely to be investment the spur of the moment. You and a colleague might have a conversation put out some feelers today. You’ve been working hard and may have income. If you own stocks, bonds, or land, expect their value to skyrocket. about the possibility of going into business together. There is also the felt as if you’ve been barking up the wrong tree. Don’t hesitate to If you work for a company that has a good profit-sharing plan, don’t be possibility that you could fall in love at first sight, maybe with someone research possibilities on the Internet, prepare your resume, and chat up surprised if the amount of profits earned this year doubles. Whichever it is, from far away. Any sort of partnership formed today will have its ups and knowledgeable people in social situations. It’s time to pass carefully from you’re on your way! downs, but with work, it could succeed. If it feels right, go for it! reflection to action. 12 GULF TIMES Wednesday, February 28, 2018 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

First...

BASE FRUITS OFFENDER BORN GENERATION OFFICER CAUSE HAND STRIKE CLASS LADY STRING COUSIN LIGHT THING FAMILY MATE WATER FLOOR NIGHT

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, February 28, 2018 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

ACROSS DOWN 1. Nearly forbidding boy to be 1. Models posing rarely (6) smitten (8) 2. Nonsense about the vehicle 5. Abodes made of bricks (6) being sturdy (6) 9. Middle Eastern bean Lee’s 3. Hide lacework cover made cooked (8) by a girl (7) 10. Not aware Sir Robert’s a 4. Bearing on the Queen’s reactionary (6) festival (4) 12. Love American Roosevelt or 6. Stick with the female Kennedy, to be unseated (6) employees (7) 13. Games devised by Jack for 7. Rest of the soldiers captured Dame Edna Everage? (8) by one in the swim (8) 15. Cockney legends (6,2,4) 8. Split pears pureed and 18. Become bored when it consumed (8) becomes less profitable for 11. Sweet reward top singer you (4,8) grasped (7) 23. Men, mainly (8) 14. Writing about the old city 24. Poles, one finally found, are state’s greatness (7) Answers thin on the ground (6) 16. Meatloaf set out for a picnic 26. They represent Anglo Saxon party (8) Wordsearch Codeword man’s inner being (6) 17. Feeling rapacious, tie nurse 27. Bully beast from Mount Ira up (8) (8) 19. He gets lit up (7) 28. The whole ten are made with 20. Drink the wine back (7) anger (6) 21. Ian and Rod get worked up 29. Caveman (8) about decree (6) 22. It could be stormy when Peter gets involved with a student (6) 25. Documents life’s work (4)

Yesterday’s Solutions

Across: 1 Big cheese; 6 Madge; Down: 1 Blows; 2 Guide-dogs; 9 Owing; 10 Track-suit; 11 Sheer 3 High regard; 4 Extract; 5 waste; 12 Stir; 14 Drought; 15 Die Exacted; 6 Make; 7 Doubt; 8 down; 17 Resorts; 19 Applaud; Enthroned; 13 Neapolitan; 14 20 Yeti; 22 Green light 25 Dirty work; 16 Orangeade; 18 Obtaining; 26 Trace; 27 Kings; Strains; 19 Avenger; 21 Titan; 23 28 Strangers. Tiers; 24 Miss. 14 GULF TIMES Wednesday, February 28, 2018 COMMUNITY CINEMA

Pulsating probables of Cannes DISTINCTION: Cate Blanchett will helm the international jury at the Cannes Film Festival this year.

France’s Jacques Audiard, Vision by Japan’s This Hindi fi lm came after a 15-year hiatus, and Bharathiraja. By Gautaman Bhaskaran Naomi Kawase and Shoplifters by fellow and had not just an interesting plot, but In Bharathiraja’s 16 Vayathinile, Sridevi is Japanese, Hirokazu Kore-eda. also a great performance by an actress who torn between two men, a lame Kamal, who Also, there can be Roma by Mexico’s was legendarily known as an interviewer’s is the butt of village jokes and an urbane he Cannes Film Festival forever Alfonso Cuaron, Steve McQueen’s Windows nightmare, but a viewer’s delight. veterinarian. She conveys the dilemma with fascinates with its fl avour. For the from the UK, The Image Book from Jean-Luc As Shashi Godbole in Gauri Shinde’s debut remarkable fortitude, and helped the fi lm 28 years that I have covered the Godard and Terrence Mallick’s American feature, English Vinglish, Sridevi stole hearts attain a cult status. It is still considered 12-day cinematic event on the drama, Radegund. with her almost Herculean achievement as one of the best works portraying most fabulous French Riviera, I have It is clear from the list that Cannes is a lot of mastering English during a four-week realistically Tamil Nadu’s rural life. neverT ceased to be sucked into surprises. And about permanence and loyalty. So many of crash course in New York. The change from In the 1981 Meendum Kokila, Sridevi plays the Festival’s unwavering method that the the helmers have had a relationship with the a hesitant housewife to a bolder woman was the wronged wife, who fi nally wins over the French themselves are famous for, has held Festival — often for long years. Some of the portrayed with remarkable conviction by a aff ections of her lawyer husband (Haasan). the Festival fl ying high. striking examples are Kawase, Dolan, Leigh, Sridevi who had not faced the camera in ages. It was gripping to watch a woman whose Come January, the Festival announces Cuaron, Malik, Farhadi. Of course, we would never know why determination to get her wayward husband the chairman of its international jury. Cate Such continuity has been one of the she chose to slip into the shadows for that back home — much like it was seeing her play Blanchett, it will be this year, the Australian strongest pillars of Cannes — which has decade and half, before English Vinglish the ruthlessly reckless Devki. actress renowned for movies like Babel, The been quite unlike that at Venice or Berlin. came on. The offi cial version is all that we In Mahendran’s Johnny, Sridevi paired Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Elizabeth: Both Venice — which happens every autumn have: playing a perfect wife to Boney Kapoor, with Rajinikanth (in a dual role) is a singer, The Golden Age and Blue Jasmine, which on the quaint little island of Lido, off the whom she married in 1996, and a doting who walks into confusion and chaos when fetched her an Oscar for best actress. mainland, Berlin do go in for changes, mother to her two daughters, Jahnvi and the two men pass off as each other. In a role And of course, three weeks before the both cosmetic and otherwise. Last year, Khushi. that was an emotional high point of her Festival starts, the titles are announced at a Venice opened a swanky courtyard, and She doted on her girls all right, and I have fi rst steps into her career, Sridevi is still Paris Press conference. This year, Cannes’ its experimentation has ranged from such wondered sometimes whether this love remembered for the angst and anxiety she 71st edition begins on May 8, but with the structural changes to directors. helped her to clinch brilliance in her 300th infused into her character. Berlin Film Festival just over, the air is thick One can, therefore, safely conclude that fi lm, Mom (2017), helmed by Ravi Udyawar. And who can ever forget her in Balu with the basket of probables that will roll Cannes stands for continuity. It follows then Of course, not many would now Mahendra’s Moondram Pirai (1982), where into the Riviera. that the Festival is less likely to take a new remember that Sridevi had a sparkling she slips into retrograde amnesia and As one French journal quipped: “As director from India, and this can be a reason early innings in Tamil cinema. And her becomes childlike, and is taken under the always, theories have started swirling around for the country’s absence on the Riviera. At first movie as a leading lady was the care of a schoolteacher (Kamal). Tending to the probable selection that will be unveiled least, most of the times. 1976 Moondru Mudichu, a fascinating her childish fantasies for several months, he in April by Cannes’ General Delegate Thierry Paradoxically, while Indian representation revenge drama helmed by the legendary falls in love with her, and in the end when Frémaux, but we can already say that on outside of movies at Cannes has grown K. Balachander. As a young woman, she regains her memory, the scene of their paper, the 2018 edition looks to be utterly phenomenally in the past decade, the Sridevi’s Selvi, is devastated when she see parting is what great love stories are made breathtaking, making the hunt for this year’s cinema from a nation which produces close Rajinikanth’s Prashanth refusing to save of. The now-cured woman has no inkling of Palme d’Or (Festival top prize) all the more to 2,000 fi lms a year (making it the largest his best friend, Balaji (Kamal Hassan), her care-giver and goes away without even a exciting”. in the world) is often not to be seen at the when he falls off a boat in the middle of a goodbye — with a Haasan trying desperately Some of the titles that just about every May Festival. There are no clear answers for lake. In love with Balaji, Selvi understands to evoke her intermediary memory. critic and anybody else who will be at Cannes this, but I would suppose that a lot more PR Prashant’s ulterior motive, and sets upon to Undoubtedly an incredible performer, this May will look forward to are: The Wild push is needed for an Indian title to roll its seek revenge later by marrying his father! Sridevi born in Sivakasi to a Tamil father and Pear Tree by Turkey’s Nuri Bilge Ceylan, way through hundreds of off erings if it has to Paradoxically, Sridevi’s first and final work a Telugu mother fi rst appeared on screen Loro by Italy’s Paolo Sorrentino, Peterloo catch the eye of Cannes selectors. would harp on revenge. as a four-year-old child. Little would have by British director Mike Leigh, Everybody Movies like 16 Vayathinile, Meendum anybody then guessed that the child would Knows by Iran’s Asghar Farhadi, The Death * * * Kokila and Johnny undoubtedly laid the go on to light the screen with her fi recracker and Life of John F. Donovan by Canada’s ground for Sridevi’s splendid sojourn. Not luminosity. Xavier Dolan, Ash Is Purest White by China’s Sridevi: only was she paired with real greats like Jia Zhangke, Sunset by Hungary’s László Last week, Indian actress Sridevi died Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth (who was z Gautaman Bhaskaran has been writing Nemes, The Favourite by Greece’s Yorgos in Dubai, where she had gone to attend a once superb, and it was only later, he tended on Indian and world cinema for close to Lanthimos, Donbass by Ukraine’s Sergei marriage. She was only 54. Tragically, the to slip into gimmickry) but also had the great four decades, and may be e-mailed at Loznitsa, Where Life Is Born by Mexico’s death cut short a career that she had just fortune of being directed by extraordinarily [email protected] Carlos Reygadas, The Sisters Brothers by got re-rolling in 2012 with English Vinglish. talented men like Balachander, J. Mahendran Wednesday, February 28, 2018 GULF TIMES 15 HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY Flash and volume likely to defeat subtlety at Oscars showiest, most arresting and physically By Justin Chang transformative acting with the best. And sometimes, of course, the equation is accurate. The academy’s honour roll, to ate in the World War II drama say nothing of cinema history, would be Darkest Hour, Winston Churchill significantly poorer if Robert De Niro — played, in case you hadn’t hadn’t bulked up to play Jake LaMotta, or heard, by Gary Oldman — delivers if Natalie Portman had never strapped on a his famous “We shall fight on the pair of toe shoes. Lbeaches” speech in the House of Commons, But to their credit, academy voters have a piece of oration so rousing that it brings also proved admirably willing to resist his listeners to their feet. those more-is-more impulses, especially For a moment ripped from the pages of in recent years. Think of Mahershala Ali history, the scene feels curiously prophetic: winning the supporting actor Oscar for less a blast from the past than a dress his quietly transcendent performance in rehearsal for Oscar night. Moonlight, or Patricia Arquette earning If he wins the Academy Award for supporting actress for her moving, flash- lead actor on March 4, as he is widely free work in Boyhood. The academy will expected to do, Oldman will likely earn always love its dazzling star turns and its another standing ovation, this time while disease-of-the-week histrionics, but it wearing a tuxedo rather than a fat suit and clearly also has voters who are willing to prosthetics. An upset might still be brewing appreciate nuance and avoid the obvious. — as last year’s epic envelope snafu reminds This year there seems to be no avoiding us, anything can happen — but any other Janney, whose acidly funny performance outcome would have to be reckoned a major might be the best thing about I, Tonya surprise. but is far from the best thing nominated The same goes for Frances McDormand, for supporting actress. Janney makes a Sam Rockwell and Allison Janney, heavily memorable Gorgon, to be sure, but she also favoured to win the Oscars for lead reduces LaVona to a cardboard grotesque, actress, supporting actor and supporting the kind of sideshow that can’t hold a actress, respectively. All four have already candle to Laurie Metcalf’s infinitely more triumphed at the Critics’ Choice Awards, layered portrait of a tough-loving mom in the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild Lady Bird. Awards and the British Academy Film There also seems to be no avoiding the Awards, a rare confluence of press and Three Billboards duo of McDormand and industry opinion that is almost certain to Rockwell, whose joint winning streak over repeat itself once more at the Oscars, to the last few months is an unmistakable if much applause if also a wearying sense of somewhat excessive salute to the actors’ anticlimax. rough-hewn chemistry. It also shows just Not everyone will find it wearying, of how little the industry seems to care about course. Those who believe that the year’s the critical sentiment that has built up most indelible feats of big-screen acting against Martin McDonagh’s film in recent can be found in Darkest Hour, I, Tonya and months, much of it directed specifically at Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Rockwell’s Dixon, an ill-tempered white will join the applause without hesitation. police officer with a fondness for beating And even those who don’t might be up black suspects. heartened by the recognition of veterans As someone who admires the movie with as respected as Oldman, McDormand, a few billboard-sized reservations, I’d say Rockwell and Janney (even if by this point the open-ended question of whether the they are starting to sound like partners at racist cop is ultimately “redeemed” makes the world’s most boringly successful law the story more provocative and thornily firm). human rather than less. If anything, the Is it petty, then, to long for an upset most glaring flaw in Martin McDonagh’s or two? To wish that those prior awards IN THE RUNNING: Gary Oldman is tipped to win the Best Actor award. screenplay — the callousness with which ceremonies had supplied a less unanimous, it reduces its black characters’ suffering more interesting set of responses? Was mentioning — are without their individual the perpetual devil on the shoulder of her to a mere plot point — is productively there not a voting body that felt inclined merits. But lauded together, over and over celebrity daughter, Tonya Harding — seems complicated by Rockwell’s idiot-bad-boy to shed some well-deserved light on, say, again, they amount to a skewed, lazy and to inhabit her own zone of angry solitude. swagger. He makes Dixon both a repellent Sally Hawkins for The Shape of Water, Mary finally unrepresentative sampling of what She’s a self-styled truth teller in a world moron and an insidious charmer; if J. Blige for Mudbound or Willem Dafoe for was an exceptionally rich and varied year in overrun by bullies and phonies. he’s someone you love to hate, he’s also The Florida Project? Was it ageism that kept movie acting. Something similar could be said someone you hate to love. them from bestowing a prize on either of Is it pure coincidence that McDormand, of McDormand’s Mildred Hayes and In some ways I’m more persuaded the two most exciting discoveries of the Janney, Oldman and Rockwell all played Rockwell’s Officer Dixon in Three Billboards by Dixon’s struggle to turn over a new year, Timothee Chalamet in Call Me by Your such fierce, stubborn, self-isolating Outside Ebbing, Missouri, two unfriendly leaf than I am by the fiery crusade of Name and Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out? characters? Fictional or fact-based, these small-town outcasts and staunch Mildred Hayes, a grieving mother whom Every awards season tends to converge men and women always seem at war with adversaries who reluctantly join forces in McDormand invests with the kind of toward predictable outcomes. Even still, the world around them — none more their bitter pursuit of justice. scene-stealing ferocity that will doubtless the near-unprecedented degree to which literally than Oldman’s Churchill, bickering pummel more than a few academy members the same four actors have steamrolled their with his allies, seething at his rivals and Winning formula into submission. Making like a 21st century competition strikes me as an unusually ultimately defying Adolf Hitler himself, The cumulative ferocity of these Rosie the Riveter in her badass bandanna misguided example of the consensus all while giving a master class in scenery performances is worth noting, in part, and jumpsuit, Mildred may be an avenging machine working overtime. It’s not that chewing to make the Blitz look restrained because it plays into the Academy of dark angel, but she’s really a consummate the performances given by Oldman, by comparison. Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ tell-off artist, someone with a custom- McDormand, Rockwell and Janney — The stakes may be less world-shattering long-standing tendency to mistake tailored diatribe for anyone who dares wonderful actors all, it scarcely needs in I, Tonya, but Janney’s LaVona Golden — aggressiveness for depth, to equate the stand in her way. — Los Angeles Times/TNS 16 GULF TIMES Wednesday, February 28, 2018 COMMUNITY

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Pierre Danial soaks in his spectacular achievement at the finish. French expat completes 475km run around Qatar rench expatriate living He added, “I am thrilled to be in Qatar Pierre Daniel done and see my family and friends recently completed his but also can’t wait to tell more 475km run around Qatar and more of the story over coming in seven days to highlight weeks to inspire others to their own theF natural beauty of the country. potential and encourage them to go His run also aimed at making a and see what I have seen.” world record successfully. The eff ect was seen throughout The solo event, Alone, A Run already by the engagement in the Around Qatar fi nished at Katara challenge, with over 160,000 from where he started his run on people reached on Facebook, February 21. His family, friends immense media attention and even and sponsors received him at the school children and university fi nishing point. students engaging. The French Pierre, who was running the school children sent Pierre pictures challenge, was supported by MBM of support and university students Transport and with key partners at Texas A&M at Qatar have been Katara and Aspire. using the data in statistical analysis. Over the last seven days Pierre Professor Raelene Gibson, of had less than 4.5 hours sleep at one Texas A&M University at Qatar, time, with as little as two hours explained “my calculus classes at most nights. During long stage, at the university are studying he moved for 35 hours without derivatives now. Pierre’s event making a camp. He had carried provided a timely and relevant a pack weighing as much as 13kg opportunity for my students when loaded with water and all to see calculus in action, as we his clothing, necessary supplies formed calculus questions based including tent, sleeping bag and on his heart rate and distance food. RESPITE: The Frenchman takes a look at a map during the course of his epic run. time data. We discussed how the The runner had to source water data was relevant to planning and food along the way, without 60 litres of water. Pierre said, “The last seven days by thousands of messages Pierre’s journey and the safety assistance from his fi lming support He did all his navigation, using have pushed me to my physical on WhatsApp, Facebook and consideration. Of course, I team from locals, farms, towns a compass solely and maps. The limits and I have endured mild Instagram. I was supported in was happy to present Pierre as and stores. He burnt an estimated GPS technology was only used for hypothermia, 35 hour eff orts, person by the locals I met, and a role model to illustrate how 48,000 calories (approximately monitoring vitals and tracking to heat, headwinds and more. But touched by all the runners who had perseverance, consistency, and self- 7,000 a day, almost three times the allow the public to follow Pierre’s throughout the run, I experienced travelled out to run and support reliance are necessary ingredients normal recommended amount for a progression live and for record and the most amazing sights and me. It is a true testament to the in achieving any goal, such as man of his age). He consumed 50- offi cial purposes. scenery of Qatar, was supported community in Qatar.” succeeding in a university.”