The King’s Speech’ to open 7th Dubai Fest edition

Lauded drama and awards front-runner ‘The King’s Speech’ to open 7th annual Dubai International Film Festival

Top-line Cast and Filmmakers Expected to Support December 12 Premiere in Dubai
Dubai, UAE, October 26, 2010 – Festival organizers announced today that the all-star drama The King’s Speech will open the seventh Dubai International Film Festival on December 12, 2010 continuing the Festival’s tradition of bringing the most anticipated and critically acclaimed films from around the world to local and regional audiences.

The King’s Speech boasts an award-winning cast, many of whom are expected to support the film in Dubai, led by Colin Firth (Bridget Jones’s Diary, A Single Man), Geoffrey Rush (Pirates of the Caribbean, Shakespeare in Love), Helena Bonham Carter (Fight Club, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street), Jennifer Ehle (Sunshine, Pride and Glory), Michael Gambon (Harry Potter, Gosford Park), Derek Jacobi (Gladiator), Guy Pearce (Memento) and Timothy Spall (Harry Potter).

Directed by Tom Hooper, the film is based on the true story of King George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth II, who reluctantly and unexpectedly becomes king following the death of his father and abdication by his brother Edward VII. Plagued by a debilitating and lifelong speech impediment and considered unfit to be king of a country on the brink of war, George (Firth) employs an eccentric speech therapist (Rush) to help him find his voice in order to lead Britain and inspire its people.

Festival Chairman Abdulhamid Juma said the Festival is delighted to host the film and its considerable talent in Dubai: “DIFF has always sought to bring the best cinema of the world to Dubai and the greater Middle East, and ‘The King’s Speech’ certainly fits that bill,” Juma said. “The film has scooped up the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival and earned rare standing ovations wherever it has been seen. We are excited to begin our programming on such a high note.” “The world’s leading studios and filmmakers are increasingly placing their trust in the professionalism, the business potential and the achievements of our Festival, and that is reflected in our ability to secure world-leading titles and talent early in the season,” he added.

In 2009, DIFF managed to secure both James Cameron’s 3D epic Avatar and hit musical Nine in prior to their openings in the United States, punching well above its weight internationally. DIFF has also been an early staging ground for films like Slumdog Millionaire and Paradise Now that went on to tremendous international success.

With the 2010 edition less than seven weeks away, DIFF Artistic Director Masoud Amralla Al Ali said nearly all the DIFF programming is in place and will be announced shortly.
“The King’s Speech is an example of mastery in filmmaking: from its script to its direction, cinematography and performances, every element is superlative and our fans in the region can expect it to be followed by equally inspiring and powerful films,” Al Ali said.

The seventh edition of Dubai International Film Festival 2010 will be held from December 12 to 19. DIFF 2010 is held in association with Dubai Studio City and supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah are the principal sponsors of DIFF. Registration for DIFF 2010 is now open at www.dubaifilmfest.com.