This Week In Dubai: Bollywood Jashn, Venice Biennale, Alserkal Avenue

Bollywood Jashn was all the rage this week in Dubai, while Venice Biennale 2015 and Alserkal Avenue and Cinema Akil’s summer film screening program continue to draw in fans of art, film and cinema. Between Bollywood Jashn stars on stage, the film series at Alserkal Avenue and Venice Biennale, there were a plethora of cultural options to choose from in Dubai.

Here’s what you might have missed this week in Dubai, as well as events that you still have time to catch:

Bollywood Jashn with Govinda

Photo Credit: Concentric Events Group

For one glittering day only, Bollywood icon Govinda was on stage in Bollywood Jashn at Shaikh Rashid Auditorium. Attendees got to enjoy Govinda’s fabulous dance moves and songs by Sharma and Rincy Singh in a blockbuster comedic and musical performance.

Ragini Nandwani, Upasna Singh, Rincy Singh and Hema Sharma were also part of the Bollywood Jashn, which took place on June 11. They then packed up and ventured to the Al Raha Beach Theatre in Abu Dhabi for performances on June 12 and 13.

Venice Biennale 2015

Photo Credit: National Pavilion, United Arab Emirates, La Biennale di Venezia

The Venice Biennale 2015 is underway, and there is much to see at the 56^th installment of the International Art Exhibition pavilions. The UAE’s contribution to the Biennale national pavilions this year is entitled 1980 – Today: Exhibitions in the UAE.

The exhibition expresses the evolution of contemporary art in the UAE over the last 40 years and includes more than 100 pieces by 15 Emirati artists. Shaikha Hoor Al Qasimi curated the pavilion, spending a full two years researching for it, according to Gulf News. The curator pays homage not only to well-established artists, but also to those whose work is little known.

The Venice Biennale opened on May 9 and runs through November 22. The Venice Biennale’s International Art Exhibition is at the Giardini and the Arsenale. Visitors will find the UAE’s pavilion at the Arsenale-Sale d’Armi.

Here Comes the Sun

Photo Credit: Alserkal Avenue

Alserkal Avenue and Cinema Akil kicked off their summer film screening program entitled Here Comes the Sun earlier this month, and it’s now in full swing. This past week, the film Plein Soleil (Purple Noon) debuted to the pleasure of attendees.

Here Comes the Sun is a thriller with plot twists and turns as it tells the tale of Tom Ripley. Quickly into the film, it becomes evident that there’s much more to the character than meets the eye. He’s a master manipulator, killer, and con artist in spite of the insecure mask he shows the world. The film is based on The Talented Mr. Ripley, a 1955 novel written by Patricia Highsmith.

The 1960 film was directed by Rene Clement and stars Alain Delon as Ripley with Maurice Roney and Marie Laforet supporting. Alserkal Avenue began showing the film on June 10, with additional showings on Friday June 12th and Saturday June 13th.

This event lasts until August 28 at the A4 Space in the Cinema Room.