The term "big screen" will be given a whole new meaning from this evening, with the launch in Dubai of Hydra Open Air Cinema UAE 2008. The largest outdoor screen in the world will be at Madinat Jumeirah Mina A' Salam in Dubai for the next 12 days, and Emirates Palace gardens in Abu Dhabi from Dec 1 to Dec 12, showing films from around the globe. From the US come Nights in Rodanthe, starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane, Lakeview Terrace, starring Samuel L Jackson and Will Smith, and The Day the Earth Stood Still, starring Keanu Reeves and John Cleese. From the UK, you can see Keira Knightley in costume drama The Duchess, and Guy Ritchie's new flim RocknRolla. And from the Middle East there's Captain Hima and Lahazat Ounousat. Mongol, a Russian biopic of Genghis Khan will also be shown, and an as-yet-unnancounced Bollywood film that will be unveiled on Surprise Night, Nov 13.
The screen measures 4,000 square feet, is the same height as a six-story building. Seats for 2,000 people will be available at each event. The season is the result of a partnership between the entertainment company Swiss OpenAir Concept and Hydra Properties. Similar events have already taken place around the world, including in Germany, Brazil, Australia and South Korea. The opening film in Dubai tonight will be the new Bond movie Quantum of Solace. Click on the 'In cinemas' section on our film page for a round-up and reviews of some of the films on offer throughout the season.
Dubai, Nov 10-21
Mon Nov 10 - Quantum of Solace
Tue Nov 11 - Nights in Rodanthe
Wed Nov 12 - Mongol
Thu Nov 13 - Surprise screening
Fri Nov 14 - Open Season 2
Sat Nov 15 - RocknRolla
Sun Nov 16 - The Rocker
Mon Nov 17 - Lahazat Ounousat (in Arabic)
Tue Nov 18 - The Duchess
Wed Nov 19 - Buy, Borrow, Steal
Thu Nov 20 - Genghis Khan
Fri Nov 21 - Bolt
Abu Dhabi, Dec 1-12
Mon Dec 1 - Quantum of Solace
Tues Dec 2 - Captain Hima
Wed Dec 3 - Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Thu Dec 4 - Punisher 2: War Zone
Fri Dec 5 - Bolt
Sat Dec 6 - Lakeview Terrace
Sun Dec 7 - Genghis Khan
Mon Dec 8 - RocknRolla
Tue Dec 9 - Surprise screening
Wed Dec 10 - The Day the Earth Stood Still
Thu Dec 11 - Anywhere But Home
Fri Dec 12 - Niko - The Way to the Stars
Visit @email:www.hydraopenair.com for more information.
