Gere's film to open Abu Dhabi film fest

Richard Gere is set to appear at this year’s Abu Dhabi Film Festival as the star of Arbitrage, the West Street crime thriller that will open the 10-day event on October 11.

The film, in which Gere plays a troubled hedge fund manager, went on release in the US last week and has seen the veteran actor receive widespread praise for his performance, with some critics suggesting it could put him in the running for an Oscar next year.

Arbitrage has regional connections too, as it was produced by Mohammed Al Turki, the Saudi producer who has been making a name for himself in the West. Al Turki will also be attending the film festival, along with the Gere’s co-star Nate Parker and the director Nicholas Jarecki.

The other major news from the film festival, now in its sixth edition, is that it will be returning to the Emirates Palace after a single stint at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr hotel last year.

This year it will also include a special programme of films from Algeria in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence.

The full programme of films will be revealed on September 25 by the new festival director Ali Al Jabri.