Lead actors of Ameer Fakher Eldin's YUNAN win awards at the 49th Hong Kong International Film Festival
Syrian director Ameer Fakher Eldin's YUNAN brings a story set on a lofty windswept island, to the 49th edition of Hong Kong's renowned International Film Festival, where leading actors George Khabbaz and Hanna Schygula won Best Actor and Best Actress respectively. The festival was held from April 10th to the 21st.
The festival jurist, speaking on their remarkable achievement, stated 'Georges Khabbaz's performance captures the alienation and ache of a lost soul yearning for the comfort of home. His nuanced portrayal reveals the inner turmoil of someone grappling with their identity in a foreign land, bringing emotional depth and authenticity to the character's struggle, while Hanna Schygulla's performance brings a warm, maternal presence to the film—offering comfort and tenderness in an otherwise harsh world. Her delightful humour adds a spark of levity, while her grounded strength asserts itself in a predominantly male environment. The result is a beautifully cohesive and emotionally resonant portrayal.'
YUNAN, the second film in Ameer Fakher Eldin's HOME trilogy, continues his exploration of estrangement that began with his award-winning 2021 debut, THE STRANGER. The film follows a disillusioned Arab writer living in exile in Hamburg who travels to a remote North Sea island with thoughts of ending his life. There, he meets an elderly woman whose quiet humanity reawakens his will to live.
In reviews, Christoph Petersen of Filmstarts noted how actor George Khabbaz aptly conveyed a sense of sorrow, while Hauvick Habéchian, writing of Independent Arabia, highlighted Schygulla's enduring legacy as an icon of German cinema.
Directed, written, and edited by Fakher Eldin, YUNAN is a Canadian-German-Italian co-production with additional support from Palestine, Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The cast includes Lebanese star George Khabbaz of Oscar-nominated CAPERNAUM, German actress Hanna Schygulla, Palestinian actor Ali Suleiman of PARADISE NOW, and GAME OF THRONES stars Sibel Kekilli and Thomas Wlaschiha. The film features a score by Suad Bushnaq, cinematography by Ronald Plante, and production design by Marie-Luise Balzer.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CairoScene
a day ago
- CairoScene
Inside Lebanese Makeup Artist Sharbel Hasbany's Beauty Playbook
Makeup, at its best, is storytelling - told through colour, texture, and emotion. Few grasp this better than Sharbel Hasbany, the Lebanese makeup artist and beauty director based between Berlin and Paris, whose work has defined some of the Arab world's most recognisable faces. His roster reads like a regional who's who - Majida El Roumi, Julia Boutros, Karen Wazen, Hiba Tawaji, Huda El Mufti, Carmen Bsaibes, Hadia Ghaleb, Salma Abudeif, Wael Kfoury - yet his approach remains instinctively personal: always tailored to the face, the moment, the mood. Before the covers and campaigns, there was just a young artist with a vision - and a one-way ticket to Paris. 'Going to Atelier Maquillage Paris Modèles changed everything for me,' Hasbany tells SceneStyled . Being in Paris, surrounded by high standards and constant creativity, pushed him to refine his artistry. 'It helped me understand the balance between technique and expression, and gave me exposure to top-tier professionals and avant-garde trends.' Formal education, he says, isn't the only way in - but it gave him the confidence to take bold steps and partner with brands like Dior, Chopard, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Carolina Herrera. In 2018, he served as Marc Jacobs Beauty's ambassador, and later collaborated with German DJ Bonnie Strange and singer MIA. 'If I hadn't gone to school, I'd still be doing makeup, but perhaps without the same level of technical precision or industry connections.' For Hasbany, great makeup begins long before a brush is lifted. 'Makeup starts way before you pick up a brush,' he says. 'If the skin isn't prepped properly, nothing sits right - no matter how high-end the products are.' His process is extensive. Oily skin calls for lightweight, oil-free hydration; dry skin demands richer moisture. Sensitive or acne-prone skin gets treated with clinical precision. 'My trick is applying thin layers of makeup,' he reveals. 'I then set each with translucent powder and lock everything in place with a setting spray. Throughout the day, quick touch-ups using blotting papers or pressed powder keep the look fresh and intact.' He draws a clear line between real-world and editorial makeup. The latter is conceptual, built to land on camera. 'Editorial makeup isn't about looking pretty - it's about making an impact,' he explains. 'You have to think about lighting, angles, and how the makeup translates in a photograph.' When it comes to everyday beauty, he dials things back. His focus: balanced colour, enhanced features. A sculpted cheek, a bold lip, still wearable, a smoky eye that is soft rather than heavy. 'Staying ahead of trends involves a mix of constant research and immersion in the beauty world,' he says. 'I keep up with industry news through fashion shows, beauty magazines, and social media.' This fluency - moving seamlessly between the avant-garde and the wearable - is why brands like H&M, Harithand, L'Atelier Nawbar, Beesline, and Max Factor trust him. He's worked on major campaigns, from Ahmed Elfaizary's Parallel Universe to Sara Mrad's Botanical Alchemy FW24, Saiid Kobeisy's FW24 ready-to-wear, and Andrea Wazen's Laminato. Globally, his work has graced Tony Ward's SS25 couture in Paris, COLR's FW25 at Berlin Fashion Week, RVDK's Spring Couture 2025, and Kamad Paris' SS25. Still, when asked about a dream client, he doesn't hesitate. 'Bella Hadid. Zendaya. And if I could collaborate with Pat McGrath? That would be incredible.' Despite the fashion weeks and celebrity shoots, what excites him most is movement - both cultural and creative. Middle Eastern beauty, he says, is shifting. Once synonymous with full-glam and heavy contours, it's moving toward something more sculptural. 'I think we're moving toward elegance without excess. Less about layers, more about precision,' he says. 'The new luxury is about looking polished but effortless.' Still, his work always returns to its roots. Hasbany's idea of Lebanese beauty is neither pastiche nor nostalgia. Bold brows. 'Right now, I'm really inspired by clean beauty and innovative skincare ingredients,' he shares. 'The shift towards sustainability and hybrid products that blur the line between skincare and makeup is something I'm eager to explore further.' Having worked across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, Hasbany has learned to calibrate for every culture. 'In Berlin, it's all about fresh, minimal skin,' he says. In India, intricate detail and vivid colour take the lead, while South Korea prefers soft luminosity, gradient lips, and weightless brows. Thailand and Indonesia blend both - glowing skin, amped up or stripped back. The one product he won't go without? Dior's Backstage Face & Body Foundation. 'It works under any lighting, any condition - it's a staple in my kit,' he says. 'It's the kind of foundation that moves with the skin, not against it.' Lately, he's been reaching for Haus Labs - especially their Le Riot Lip Glosses and High Drama Matte Lip Crayons. 'The pigmentation is insane,' he says. The glosses deliver bold colour without compromising comfort, while the crayons glide on with velvety payoff. 'Haus Labs is really pushing performance-driven formulas with a strong aesthetic,' he adds. Shiseido's Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation is another mainstay. 'It stays fresh all day, even in heat, humidity, or under harsh lighting,' he says. Rabane Beauty, too, is on his radar for its inventive finishes and textures. But behind the glamour, Hasbany insists, lies something more disciplined. 'There's a lot of pressure,' he admits. 'You need to master technique, stay ahead of trends, and build real relationships with clients. It's not always as glamorous as it looks - there are long hours, back-to-back shoots, and constant reinvention.' One of the biggest myths? That talent is enough. 'Anyone can learn how to do a perfect eyeliner,' he says. 'What makes someone successful is their ability to bring out the best in a face - to understand not just what's trendy, but what actually works.'
CairoScene
3 days ago
- CairoScene
Two Dubai Restaurants Make the World's 50 Best List for 2025
With Trèsind Studio crowned Best in the Middle East and Orfali Bros Bistro making a triumphant return, Dubai's dining scene proves it's playing in the big leagues. Jun 20, 2025 Dubai's culinary clout just climbed a little higher. The World's 50 Best Restaurants list for 2025 has landed, and two of the city's most talked-about dining spots have made the cut — cementing the Emirate's status as a serious gastronomic player. At No.27, Trèsind Studio takes home the title of Best Restaurant in the Middle East, a well-earned accolade for chef Himanshu Saini and his immersive, boundary-pushing tasting menu. Now located on Palm Jumeirah, the 20-seat restaurant offers an intimate experience where diners move between curated spaces designed to mirror the narrative of the meal. Meanwhile, Orfali Bros Bistro re-enters the list at No.37, bringing its playful, genre-bending menu back into the global spotlight. Helmed by the Orfali brothers from Aleppo — Mohamad, Wassim, and Omar — the family-run bistro blends traditional Syrian influences with Asian techniques and European flair, all served up in the heart of Dubai. From theatrical fine dining to wildly creative comfort food, this year's rankings show that Dubai isn't just keeping pace with the world's best — it's helping define what comes next.
See - Sada Elbalad
6 days ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Green Beats & Global Rhythms: Grüne Fête de la Musique Returns to Egypt
Ahmed Emam Egypt is preparing to welcome the return of "La Grüne Fête de la Musique" , the country's pioneering green music festival, now in its third edition. Organized by the Goethe-Institut Cairo and the French Institute of Egypt, the festival brings a dynamic fusion of music, culture, and environmental awareness to two of the country's most vibrant cities: Alexandria and Cairo. The festivities will begin on June 19 at Antoniades Park in Alexandria, before moving to Downtown Cairo's Greek Campus on June 21. As always, entry to the festival is free of charge, with visitors in Alexandria only required to pay the park's entrance fee. This year's edition continues the festival's mission of celebrating artistic diversity while promoting eco-consciousness. Under the theme 'The Community as a Driver of Change,' the event invites audiences to explore how everyday citizens can adopt more sustainable habits. The festival aims not only to entertain, but also to inspire dialogue around climate responsibility and cultural collaboration. An eclectic musical lineup featuring artists from Egypt, France, and Germany promises a wide range of styles—from contemporary and electronic to folk, jazz, and experimental. Among the featured performers are the acclaimed French musician Stranded Horse, collaborating with Senegalese kora player Boubacar Cissokho, German-Arabic fusion band Jamila & The Other Heroes, Egypt's own Too Fuse, and emerging Egyptian artist Lella Fadda. Their performances will highlight the creative potential of cross-cultural exchange while offering an immersive live experience. In the days leading up to the festival, a special music residency will take place in Alexandria from June 15 to 19. Led by Egyptian composer Ahmed Saleh and organized by B'sarya for Art, the residency will bring together French musician Yann Tambour, Egyptian talents Ahmed Omar and Nour Ashour, and the German band Jamila & The Other Heroes to experiment and collaborate across borders and genres. The festival's commitment to sustainability will be evident throughout. Concert scenography will be created using recycled materials, waste will be minimized, and public education on carbon footprints and green mobility will be a core focus. The event will also feature workshops, talks, and exhibitions highlighting Egyptian grassroots initiatives, with hands-on opportunities for audiences to engage with environmental issues in a creative and accessible way. In parallel with the music and public programming, two days of professional exchange will be held on June 20 and 21 for Egyptian arts and culture professionals. These meetings, facilitated by The Green Room and coordinated by WhaleZ Agency, will focus on practical tools for implementing sustainable practices in festivals and cultural events across the country. La Grüne Fête de la Musique is supported by the Franco-German Cultural Fund, the Normandy Region, and GIZ Egypt, in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Environment. The festival also enjoys the support of EgyptAir and RATPDev (Metro Line 3) as mobility partners, as well as media sponsorship from Sat 7 and NRJ Radio. Since its launch in 2023, the festival has become a standout example of how the arts can champion environmental awareness while deepening cultural ties. With free access, world-class performances, and a strong commitment to sustainability, this year's edition promises to be both a celebration and a call to action—uniting audiences through rhythm, creativity, and shared responsibility. Journalists wishing to cover the event are invited to contact the press offices of the French Institute of Egypt or the Goethe-Institut Cairo for accreditation, press kits, and interview requests. More information is available on the festival's official social media platforms and the Goethe-Institut's website. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
