Dubai UAE – November 12, 2015:  A further lineup of stellar titles has been announced for the Dubai International Film Festival’s ‘Cinema of the World’ programme to be presented from 9-16 December. Showcasing the best global talent, ‘Cinema of the World’ covers an array of genres from some of the most prestigious filmmakers in the industry, handpicked by DIFF to captivate audiences and take them on an unforgettable journey across cultures and perspectives. 

‘Spotlight’ is a searing drama from Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Thomas McCarthy and stars Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton and Rachel McAdams. It is based on the work of the ‘Spotlight’ investigative team at the Boston Globe newspaper that uncovered and reported the systemic abuse in the Catholic Church that was swept aside by those in power for decades. ‘Spotlight’ pulls no punches in examining the depth of corruption and holds a mirror to those who allowed evil to flourish by doing nothing.

With his harrowing and emotional drama, ‘Wednesday, May 9’, acclaimed Iranian actor and director Vahid Jalilvand tells a captivating story. After the loss of his son, Jalal feels compelled to make a change within the community and places an ad that catches the eye of Leila, whose husband suffers from a debilitating medical condition, and Setareh, an orphan who would do anything to get her husband out of jail. The film follows the intertwining lives of the three characters resulting in an emotional and revealing snapshot of Iranian society.  

Factual war drama ‘Land of Mine’, directed by esteemed self-taught Danish filmmaker and writer Martin Zandvliet, tells the true story of a group of young German Prisoners of War forced to deactivate two million mines in Denmark in the immediate aftermath of World War II. Faced with extreme bitterness and contempt from the overseeing superintendent Sergeant Rasmussen, the film explores the changing face of the ‘enemy’ when a catastrophic incident sends the group and the sergeant into unknown territory. 

The debut film from writer and director Slávek Horák, ‘Home Care’ takes audiences on a compelling journey through emotional crisis and self-discovery. An overly selfless and dedicated nurse, spouse and mother is suddenly diagnosed with a terminal illness and must accept that her well-being is just as crucial as that of her loved ones. Inspired by his own mother, Horák’s feature film is a moving combination of humour and drama. 

The chilling feature debut ‘The Childhood of a Leader’ from director Brady Corbet, starring Liam Cunningham and Robert Pattinson is an unsettling portrait of emerging evil. Set in France in 1918, the film tells the tale of the terrifying influence of fascism in an unsure world. After witnessing his father help shape the Treaty of Versailles, ‘The Childhood of a Leader’ follows a young boy’s chilling rise from impressionable child to the cruel and calculating leader he will become.  
Based on the bestselling novel by Levin Wilson, acclaimed actor and director Jason Bateman presented ‘The Family Fang’ earlier this year at the Toronto International Film Festival to stellar reviews. With an all-star cast including Nicole Kidman, Christopher Walken and Bateman himself, the comedy-drama follows two siblings who reunite and visit the home of their artistic parents, only to find out that they have mysteriously disappeared.

Chinese documentarist and multimedia artist Zhao Lian, known for his exhilarating artistic works, brings his documentary ‘Behemoth’ to DIFF. A documentary about mining in China, ‘Behemoth’ will take audiences through the tormented and darkened days of the miners while detailing the destruction of the earth as beautiful landscapes are maimed for valuable and irreplaceable resources.  

Critically acclaimed director Sebastian Schipper’s award winning ‘Victoria’ is a film unlike any other this year. Captivating and breathless, it tells of Victoria, a young Spanish woman who gets caught up with the wrong crowd outside a German nightclub and becomes an accomplice to their wrongdoings. All shot in a single take ‘Victoria’ is a singular cinematic experience that has been praised for its innovation and daring in pushing the limits of cinema.

First time feature director Celso Garcia brings his film ‘The Thin Yellow Line’ to DIFF 2015 on the back of success at international film festivals and multiple audience awards. The film follows a misfit group of five men who are hired to paint the ‘yellow line’ stretching along a desert highway. The humour, compelling characters and beautiful landscape drive the story to unlikely places as the groups painstakingly slow progress forces introspection upon the disparate lives of each man.

Multi-award winning Portuguese filmmaker Miguel Gomes, will present his breath-taking epic: ‘Arabian Nights: Volume 1 – The Restless One’, ‘Arabian Nights: Volume 2- The Desolate One’, and ‘Arabian Nights: Volume 3 – The Enchanted One’. Interweaving genres and styles of film and culture from Andalusian-influenced Portugal to ancient Arabian traditions, the insightful trilogy links the past to the present under the compelling narration of Shahrazad. 

An adaptation of writer Alan Bennett’s iconic and celebrated memoir, ‘Lady in the Van’ is directed by Nicholas Hytner and stars acclaimed actress Maggie Smith. Miss Shepherd, played by Smith, is an elderly eccentric woman who after falling on hard times decides to temporarily reside in her old van in front of a playwright’s driveway - for fifteen years. The unique and witty story takes us on a journey of a very odd long-term friendship.   

Commenting on Cinema of the World line-up, Nashen Moodley, Programme Director, said: “Having such a culturally diverse set of films to introduce at DIFF is a great opportunity for movie enthusiasts to experience cinema and cultures from all over the world. We look forward to sharing these wonderful films with our audience.” 

Sharing his thoughts on the programme, DIFF’s Artistic Director, Masoud Amralla Al Ali said: “Since its inception, connecting cultures and showcasing talent from across the world have been at the heart of the Dubai International Film Festival, and this year’s line-up for the Cinema of the World programme brings a unique offering of exceptional feature films from all genres. I’m sure audiences will enjoy all they have to offer.”

The ‘Cinema of the World’ programme will be showcased at the 12th annual Dubai International Film Festival, December 9 - 16, 2015. For more information and to purchase ticket bundle packages please visit: http://dubaifilmfest.com/en/page/36/10__25_ticket_packages.html.