This weekend check out new cinema in Dubai, Japanese cuisine in New York and enjoy live dates from musician Sinkane in France, the UK and US.
1. FILM FESTIVAL: DUBAI
—Dubai International Film Festival
The ninth Dubai International Film Festival kicks off this Sunday screening over 160 films ranging from short features to documentaries from 61 countries in 43 languages. The eight-day-long festival will conclude with a ceremony announcing the winners of the Muhr Awards chosen by seven judges including Brazilian film director Bruno Barreto, and South Korean director and novelist Lee Chang-dong. Don’t miss Him, Here After by Sri Lanka’s director Asoka Handagama, Factory of Lies by the Saudi filmmaker Hamzah Jamjoom and the French/Belgian co-production Rust and Bone directed by Jacques Audiard.
Screenings are at various locations throughout the city, see website for more details. Until 16 December
dubaifilmfest.com
2. FOOD: NEW YORK
—Chez Sardine
Manhattan restaurateur Gabe Stulman has just opened yet another intimate, West Village canteen, this time with a special focus on simple Japanese cuisine. Inspired by the traditional Japanese Izakaya (a homely, no-frills eaterie), Chez Sardine brings out a simple yet smartly chosen menu by executive chef and business partner Mehdi Brunet-Benkritly. We’re a bit spoiled for choice but suggest trying the cod fritters, beef tongue with Ponzu and jalapeno. We’ve long been fans of Stulman’s charming West Village restaurants and we’re delighted to see his bold turn towards classic Japanese cuisine.
183 W 10th Street (near W 4th). Open Tuesday to Thursday 18.00-00.00; Monday and Sunday 18.00-23.00; Friday & Saturday 18.00-02.00
chezsardine.com
3. THEATRE: LONDON
—Mydidae by Jack Thorne
From the pen of Bafta award-winning playwright Jack Thorne, Mydidae examines one couple’s struggle with blame and guilt on the first anniversary of a shared personal tragedy. The one-scene play, set entirely in a bathroom, is showing at the intimate 90-seat Soho Upstairs theatre in central London. Directed by Vicky Jones and starring Keir Charles and Phoebe Waller-Bridge the production is the first full-length feature from theatre production company DryWrite.
Soho Upstairs, Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street. Doors 19.30. Until 22 December. Excluding 9, 10, 11, 16 and 18 December
sohotheatre.com
4. EXHIBITION: PARIS
—Dalí
More than 30 years after its previous Dalí retrospective (still the most popular in the gallery’s history) the Centre Pompidou in Paris’ Fourth Arrondissement is displaying over 200 of the surrealist’s greatest works. Brought together by head curator Jean-Hubert Martin in collaboration with Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid, the show features a selection of film, photography and works on paper from the influential Catalonian’s prolific career.
Centre Pompidou, Place Georges-Pompidou. Open Monday 11.00-21.00; Wednesday to Sunday 11.00-21.00. Until 25 Marchcentrepompidou.fr
5. MUSIC: GLOBAL
—Sinkane
Playing dates in Rennes, London and Brooklyn next week is Sudan-born, US-raised artist Sinkane. He’s spent the last few years learning how to craft slinky dancefloor pop with a rootsy, funk-infused electronic bounce to it, from scene leaders of indie dancefloor weirdness. Sinkane (or Ahmed Gallab, as he is also known) has been a live member and studio hand for acts including Caribou, Yeasayer and Of Montreal. Now out on his own, he plays Rencontres Trans Musicales de Rennes festival in Rennes on Saturday, London’s Seabright Arms on Tuesday, and Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg on Thursday.
See Sinkane’s website for more dates in 2013
sinkane.com
