Sir Ben Kingsley will attend the special screening of the award-winning film 'Gandhi' on October 11, at the Emirates Palace, as part of the Middle East International Film Festival (Meiff) 2008.

For the first time in the film’s history it will be screened with Arabic dubbing as opposed to the usual subtitles that people from the region have relied on until now.

Directed by Sir Richard Attenborough, Gandhi was a critical and box-office success when it made its worldwide debut in 1982, receiving a total of 31 awards and 16 nominations.  This included winning eight Oscars at the 1983 Academy Awards including ‘Best Picture’, “Best Leading Actor’ and ‘Best Director’.

Gandhi is the story of a man who took on an Empire with nothing but truth, non-violence and indomitable will…and won.

Sir Ben is one of the few men to have won all four major motion picture awards, with Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award wins throughout his career. He was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2000 and was knighted in the 2001 New Years Honours list.

“As the principle organiser of Meiff 2008, one of our intrinsic values is the celebration of culture,” said Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, vice chairman of Meiff and director general of The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (Adach).

Otis Sallid to choreograph Meiff ceremonies

Esteemed American director and choreographer, Otis Sallid, will create the festival’s opening and closing ceremonies for the second year running.

The theatrical performances will honour the presentation of international cinema, holding in high esteem the culture and heritage of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

Sallid’s work in the Spike Lee films School Daze, Do The Right Thing and Malcolm X positioned him amongst the most notable producer/director/choreographers, and in 1996 he choreographed the 69th Annual Academy Awards. 

He also produced, directed and choreographed the 2006 opening live event for the Super Bowl XL featuring Stevie Wonder, India Arie, Josh Stone and John Legend.-TradeArabia News Service