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After uproar, documentary on Hamas 2023 attack will screen at Toronto Film Festival

After uproar, documentary on Hamas 2023 attack will screen at Toronto Film Festival
A sign for the Toronto International Film Festival appears on the opening night of the festival in Toronto on Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/File)
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After uproar, documentary on Hamas 2023 attack will screen at Toronto Film Festival

After uproar, documentary on Hamas 2023 attack will screen at Toronto Film Festival
  • Earlier this week, TIFF withdrew its invitation to the film “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue,” citing legal clearance for footage used in the documentary
  • The film chronicles the story of retired Israeli Gen. Noam Tibon, whose efforts to save his family and others during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack was profiled in a “60 Minutes” segment

NEW YORK: The Toronto International Film Festival will screen a documentary on the 2023 Hamas attack, after all, following an uproar over the film’s disinvitation from the upcoming festival.
Earlier this week, TIFF withdrew its invitation to the film “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue.” The festival said the decision was based in part on legal clearance for footage used in the documentary. Deadline, which first reported the news, said a sticking point was the identification and legal clearance of Hamas militants’ own livestreaming of the attack.
On Thursday evening, TIFF chief executive Cameron Bailey and “The Road Between Us” filmmaker Barry Avrich issued a joint statement announcing the film’s selection.
“Both TIFF and the filmmakers have heard the pain and frustration expressed by the public and we want to address this together,” said Bailey and Avrich. “We have worked together to find a resolution to satisfy important safety, legal, and programming concerns.”
“In this case, TIFF’s communication around its requirements did not clearly articulate the concerns and roadblocks that arose and for that, we are sorry,” they continued.
The film chronicles the story of retired Israeli Gen. Noam Tibon, whose efforts to save his family and others during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack was profiled in a “60 Minutes” segment.
After being informed that the film wouldn’t screen at the festival, the “Road Between Us” filmmakers issued a statement claiming TIFF “censored its own programming by refusing the film.”
Bailey disputed that allegation, and pleaded that the situation demanded sensitivity.
“The events of October 7, 2023, and the ongoing suffering in Gaza weigh heavily on us, underscoring the urgent need for compassion amid rising antisemitism and Islamophobia,” Bailey said on Wednesday.
The Toronto International Film Festival, North America’s largest film festival, runs Sept. 4–14.


Where We Are Going Today: Taqado Mexican Kitchen in Riyadh

Where We Are Going Today: Taqado Mexican Kitchen in Riyadh
Updated 15 August 2025

Where We Are Going Today: Taqado Mexican Kitchen in Riyadh

Where We Are Going Today: Taqado Mexican Kitchen in Riyadh

Taqado Mexican Kitchen in Riyadh serves up vibrant flavors in a fast-casual setting that immediately captures one’s attention.

The space has a bold counter adorned with colorful patterned tiles, where staff in crisp white, red, and yellow shirts assemble orders beneath illuminated menu boards in Arabic and English.

The open kitchen buzzes with efficiency, offering a lively backdrop for quick lunches or relaxed dinners.

Standout dishes include the Chili Cheese Fries — a generous pile of crispy fries smothered in rich chili con carne, spicy jalapeno cheese sauce, cool sour cream, and fresh coriander.

The Chicken Quesadilla features well-seasoned grilled chicken and fajita vegetables but would be brighter with more toasting for optimal texture.

Meanwhile, the Asian crispy chicken burrito delivers a satisfying crunch, expertly balanced by tangy soy pickles, cabbage slaw, and creamy guacamole. To be frank, the burritos are a mouthful, but the flavors make the experience worth it. 

The Asian crispy chicken burrito delivered a satisfying crunch, expertly balancing crispy chicken, tangy soy pickles, cabbage slaw, and creamy guacamole. (Instagram: @Taqadomexicankitchen.ksa)

Less successful are the birria tacos, where the beef lacks depth despite fresh garnishes, and the accompanying broth felt underwhelming. The steak and shrimp bowl also falls short, its promising quinoa base and pineapple salsa undermined by rubbery shrimp and under-seasoned components.

Health-conscious diners can opt for the spinach quesadilla, the protein-rich steak and shrimp bowl, or the fresh Mexicali salad.

Taqado has mastered customizable Mexican comfort food, especially its loaded fries and fusion burrito, in a spirited atmosphere.

While some textures and seasonings need refinement, its efficient service and vivid setting make it ideal for casual meals.
 


URX: The cultural movement amplifying underrated DJs in Ƶ

URX: The cultural movement amplifying underrated DJs in Ƶ
Updated 14 August 2025

URX: The cultural movement amplifying underrated DJs in Ƶ

URX: The cultural movement amplifying underrated DJs in Ƶ
  • Group is dedicated to promoting and supporting overlooked artists in Kingdom
  • URX works to develop its artists, offering mentorship, production support and publicity

Underrated X Community — URX — is a cultural movement that was born in Ƶ with a mission to redefine how the region sees electronic music and underground talent.

Founded in late 2023 in Riyadh, URX was established to spotlight the often-overlooked DJs, producers and visual artists in the Kingdom and wider region.

Founders DJ Frozen (Sohaib Al-Borno) and DJ Mazo (Mohannad Reziqat) envisioned a homegrown ecosystem that supports emerging artists through events, collaborations and mentorship.

“We aim to support local talents and bring underrated DJs and electronic musicians into the spotlight,” Al-Borno told Arab News. “There’s a wealth of creativity in Ƶ, but what’s missing is visibility and access. That’s where URX comes in.

“URX stands for Underrated X. The ‘X’ symbolizes the unknown, the future and the collaboration between disciplines,” Reziqat said.

The two founders have spent years embedded in the Kingdom’s evolving creative scene.

Their collaborative mindset is reflected in the spaces they use; from Riyadh’s The Warehouse and Merwas Studios to regional hotspots in Bahrain and Jordan, URX prefers to use what they see as authentic, immersive venues.

“We believe in opening doors,” Reziqat said. URX’s events are “about the story, the energy, and the people who show up. It’s about creating a space where talent meets opportunity.

“Every URX edition is a platform to experiment,” he said. “We work closely with filmmakers, designers and visual artists to elevate every event beyond music.

“We started with URX. The video they made for us, the attention to detail, the quality, the filming … that’s what helped us rise in the scene. I truly want to thank them,” said a Riyadh-based DJ who goes by the name Immortal.

Since its debut event in 2024, URX’s influence has grown steadily, supported by a loyal following of artists and music lovers.

They recently collaborated with PUBLIC restaurant in Riyadh, on July 27.

“The PUBLIC x URX night was electric,” Al-Borno said. “It was one of those rare moments where everything clicked — the crowd, the music, the space. It confirmed that there’s a real hunger for this kind of experience.”

URX also works to develop its artists, offering mentorship, production support and publicity.

“It’s about who has something to say and giving them the tools to say it,” Al-Borno said.

“We’re laying the foundation for the next decade of Saudi creativity,” Reziqat said. “And that means investing in artists early, guiding them, and celebrating their uniqueness.”

URX is part of a larger cultural awakening in the Kingdom, aligned with Ƶ’s Vision 2030, which promotes creative industries and youth empowerment.

But while policy is top-down, URX is proudly grassroots, born from a genuine passion for local culture and artistic freedom.

“We’re building what we want to see,” Al-Borno said.

“There’s power in being underestimated,” Reziqat said. “That’s the spirit of URX. We take what’s overlooked and make it unforgettable.”

As they prepare for future events, regional tours and international collaborations, URX remains committed to its mission — uplifting the underrated, creating unforgettable experiences and connecting Ƶ’s artistic energy with the world.


REVIEW: ‘Wednesday’ season 2 is too crowded for its own good

REVIEW: ‘Wednesday’ season 2 is too crowded for its own good
Updated 14 August 2025

REVIEW: ‘Wednesday’ season 2 is too crowded for its own good

REVIEW: ‘Wednesday’ season 2 is too crowded for its own good

DUBAI: Jenna Ortega once again knocks it out of the mausoleum in “Wednesday” season two, but the first four episodes suggest her scene-stealing brilliance will have to fight harder for attention this time around. The macabre Netflix hit returns with Ortega once again in razor-sharp form as the morbidly deadpan Wednesday Addams, but a crowded ensemble keeps her from shining the way she did in season one.

After saving Nevermore Academy last time out, Wednesday returns to the school as an unlikely hero. The spotlight is, understandably, a curse in her book, and Ortega leans into that discomfort with precision, delivering barbed quips and withering looks a mile a minute. But this time, she’s not the only one taking up valuable screen space.

Her younger brother Pugsley (now a Nevermore student too) arrives with his own chaotic subplots, including grisly pranks, dubious alliances, and a knack for attracting trouble. To make matters worse, Wednesday’s mother Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones, chewing every gothic inch of the scenery) takes up residence at the school, resulting in some frosty mother-daughter showdowns.

As if familial entanglements weren’t enough, a fresh murder-mystery unravels, this time involving a spate of killings carried out by murderous crows. It’s a case tailor-made for Wednesday, but some trouble with her powers means she’s not at 100 percent.

Wait, it doesn’t end there. Wednesday also has a new stalker on campus. And whoever they might be, they also control the murderous crows.

If all this weren’t enough, Wednesday also has a vision about her best friend Enid’s (Emma Myers) impending death, a vision she’s now fighting to prove wrong with everything she has.

All in all, the narrative feels more scattered than in the first season. The introduction of new side characters and expanded arcs for returning ones make the Nevermore halls feel crowded, occasionally slowing the pace. Ortega is still magnetic, but in episodes with multiple competing storylines, the show loses some of its bite.

However, if the latter half of the season narrows its focus, season two could yet match season one’s haunting charm.


Incoming: Fantastic fall features 

Incoming: Fantastic fall features 
Updated 14 August 2025

Incoming: Fantastic fall features 

Incoming: Fantastic fall features 
  • Some of the biggest movies coming your way over the next few months 

‘Spinal Tap II: The End Continues’ 

Starring: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer 

Director: Rob Reiner 

In cinemas: Sept. 12 

The long-awaited sequel to one of the greatest comedy films of all time, and the original — if you will — mockumentary, sees Guest, McKean and Shearer reunited as the hapless heavy rockers who have decided to reunite after 15 years for one final show. There’s a hitch, naturally: they need a drummer — a tricky sell when so many who previously sat the stool for Tap have met untimely ends. Along for the ride, of course, is documentary maker Martin Di Bergi (Reiner) to ensure that the historic occasion is recorded for posterity.  

‘The Roses’   

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Coleman, Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon 

Director: Jay Roach 

In cinemas: Aug. 29 

This star-studded remake of the 1989 black-comedy movie “The War of the Roses” (itself based on Warren Adler’s 1981 novel) sees Coleman and Cumberbatch play Ivy and Theo Rose, an apparently idyllically married couple — he an architect, she a chef. But when Theo’s career trajectory starts to plummet just as Ivy’s starts to soar, the underlying tensions and competitiveness in their relationships begin to surface, with devastating and hilarious results. With some A-list comedy talent on the cast list, and Roach (the “Austin Powers” movies, “Meet the Parents”) at the helm, this might be that rare thing — a comedy movie that actually gets audiences into the cinema.  

‘One Battle After Another’ 

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall 

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson 

In cinemas: Sept. 25 

The latest feature from one of the most acclaimed writer-directors of his generation (although not hugely successful at the box office) is an action-thriller with a touch of satirical black humor thrown in. DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson, who was once a member of a revolutionary group called the French 75. Well over a decade since the group disbanded, their nemesis — white supremacist Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw (Penn) — resurfaces, and Ferguson must call on his former fellow activists to help him rescue his daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti), herself a budding revolutionary. Radiohead’s Johnny Greenwood is the film’s composer — his sixth collaboration with Anderson. 

‘After The Hunt’ 

Starring: Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri 

Director: Luca Guadagnino 

In cinemas: Oct. 10 

Italian director Guadagnino’s films — which included “Call Me By Your Name,” “Suspiria,” and “Challengers” — are rarely a disappointment, and this one brings some serious cross-generational star power to the big screen. Roberts plays Alma Olsson, an Ivy League professor whose close friend and colleague Hank Gibson (Garfield) is accused of assault by Olsson’s protégée Maggie Price (Edebiri — winner of an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her role as Syd in “The Bear”). In trying to deal with that situation, Olsson must face up to some long-buried secrets from her past. Even if none of the cast manage to bag an Oscar, then composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross probably have a good shout. 

‘Good Fortune’ 

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, Aziz Ansari 

Director: Aziz Ansari 

In cinemas: Oct. 17 

Ansari’s feature debut as director is a comedy about a low-ranking angel called Gabriel (Reeves) who comes down to Earth to try and show Arj (Ansari) that money can’t solve your problems by allowing him to swap places with his rich tech-bro employer Jeff (Rogen). It doesn’t quite go the way Gabriel expected, and he ends up having his wings taken off him and being banished to live among humans. Gabriel and the now-homeless Jeff move in together as all the work Gabriel did as an angel is undone. Keke Palmer and Sandra Oh also star.  

‘A House of Dynamite’ 

Starring: Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Gabriel Basso 

Director: Kathryn Bigelow 

On Netflix: Oct. 24 

Little has been revealed about Netflix’s upcoming thriller, but the stars and director alone are enough to build hype. Bigelow made history in 2009 when she became the first woman to win the Best Director Oscar (for “The Hurt Locker”) and “A House of Dynamite” will be her first feature since 2017’s “Detroit.” And with Elba and Ferguson heading the cast list, it’s a safe bet there’ll be some seriously strong performances in this tale told in real time about a group of White House officials frantically dealing with a missile attack on America.  

‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’ 

Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Stephen Graham, Jeremy Strong 

Director: Scott Cooper 

In cinemas: Oct. 24 

Timothée Chalamet has already wowed critics with his portrayal of Bob Dylan this year in “A Complete Unknown,” and now “The Bear” star Jeremy Allen White takes on Dylan’s closest contender for the title of greatest living US songwriter: Bruce Springsteen. Cooper’s biopic isn’t the tale of how Springsteen became a star — at the time the film begins he’s already a hit. Instead, it’s the story of the making of his stripped-back 1982 masterpiece “Nebraska,” recorded on a four-track in his bedroom at a time when he was struggling with his fame and the demons of his past. White has already received praise from The Boss himself, as has Graham as Springsteen’s domineering father.  


My Melbourne: Saudi student Leen Asiri on life in Australia

My Melbourne: Saudi student Leen Asiri on life in Australia
Updated 14 August 2025

My Melbourne: Saudi student Leen Asiri on life in Australia

My Melbourne: Saudi student Leen Asiri on life in Australia
  • The Saudi student gives us the lowdown on life in the state capital of Victoria, Australia 

RIYADH: Leen Asiri is a 20-year-old student, currently reading politics at the University of Melbourne as a beneficiary of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program. 

What’s the best thing about Melbourne? 

The lifestyle. You’re busy 24/7, literally. You don’t have time to be bored. It’s a great city to improve yourself and look for a better future, in my opinion. Also, it’s a really walkable city, which I love. 

And the worst thing? 

As much as it’s a safe city, it’s sometimes not. When I first came here, I was out with my friends — Arab girls — and we were at a stoplight, and this homeless guy just started screaming at us. “Go back to your country!’ It was a very traumatizing experience. So that proved to me that, no matter how safe a country is, it doesn’t compare to how safe Saudi is, in my opinion. I wouldn’t advise being out on the streets here — as a young female — after 10 p.m. 

St.Kilda Pier on St. Kilda Beach. (Getty Images)

 

What’s the general vibe there?  

It’s hectic — everyone’s busy with something: their career, uni, whatever… no one’s free for anything. But it’s also laid back during the weekends — everything just calms down. Weekends are really sacred here. Like, you cannot ask someone to email you on a weekend. That’s taboo.  

Like all of Australia, really, Melbourne has so many people bringing their culture here. Like, you can see Chinese food places all over the place, Arabic food places, French food. It’s just a lot of different cultures mixed in a blender — that’s basically Melbourne. 

Would you say it’s a good place to travel to with kids?  

I’d say it’s family-friendly, but I don’t think there’s a lot of entertainment. I don’t think kids would have that much fun here. Melbourne is really just a university area. I think Sydney would be more suitable for family fun.  

Would you describe Melbourne as ethnically diverse?  

Yes, very. The locals are very welcoming of every ethnicity, every culture. As soon as they hear you’re Saudi, they’re like, “Oh my god, we hear about it all over the news, but we never actually see people from there.” It’s very welcoming. There are a lot of Islamic societies, Saudi societies, and also the Saudi Cultural Bureau really helps out. They often have events, which is really helpful with homesickness and loneliness. 

The La Trobe Reading Room at State Library Victoria. (Getty Images)

Are the residents as friendly in general? 

They’re friendly if you approach them, but they don’t usually approach international students. I do feel like there’s some kind of discrimination, but I don’t want to be judge-y. It’s like, “We hang out with each other. You’re international students. You’re chill, but we wouldn’t vibe with you.” It’s kind of an unwritten rule. But not all of them are like that. 

Is it an easy place for Muslims to practice their religion?  

I wouldn’t really say it’s “easy.” I have to go a long way to find halal food. Otherwise, I’m just stuck with Indomie (instant noodles), basically. Or cheese sandwiches. There are mosques, but they’re not widely publicized — just word of mouth. But they have a mosque in the university, which is really great. And in some of the buildings, they have small areas they call quiet rooms, where you can go and pray. 

What’s the best time of year to visit, in terms of the weather?  

Winters are super-cold, summers are super-hot. I wouldn’t say as hot as Saudi, but it’s close. So, I’d say the best time of year would be the end of May into June. That’s basically autumn. The vibes are amazing. It’s so enjoyable. It starts to get cold at the end of June. Then it’s basically winter from August until just before December.  

What would you do on your ideal weekend in your city?  

I’d go to the local farmers’ market — the Queen Victoria Market. The vibes there are amazing. It’s so nice. You find food, fresh veggies, fresh fruits and some clothing stands and accessories and gifts… stuff like that. It’s not a tourist area; you go there for calm vibes, eating, drinking coffee, and sightseeing. That’s basically what I might do during my weekend.  

Queen Victoria Market. (Getty Images)

Where would you go sightseeing?  

I’d go to the parks: the local parks are so beautiful. Other than that, I’d go 30 minutes away from the city to the nearest beach, St. Kilda. It’s absolutely gorgeous. The beaches here are the best. When I want to get away from all the chaos and noise, I just run away to whatever beach, and it calms me down. 

Which famous tourist attraction would you recommend people visit? 

Apart from St. Kilda, I’d say the Queen Victoria Library (State Library Victoria), which is a famous old library with so much about Australian history and literature. It’s so big. And Melbourne Central, which is the most famous mall in Melbourne. I’d also recommend some outlets for saving money, which are really nice, like Spencer Outlet and DFO.  

What’s your city’s best hidden gem?  

There are two streets. One is called Flinders Street. It’s near the biggest train station. It has a lot of good cafés and good food places. The other is Little Bourke Street. It’s the same idea. Again, a lot of good cafés, and some really beautiful street art. 

What’s your favorite restaurant in the city?  

Zambrero. I could eat there every day. It’s a healthy Mexican fast food place. It’s really difficult to find healthy food as a student, because you just want something fast and cheap. Zambrero is literally that — fast, healthy and cheap. I love it so much. 

What’s your favorite store in the city? 

I go to Kmart. It’s like Abu Khamsa (in Saudi. It’s cheap, in Australian terms. It has everything and anything. I love it.  

Any other places you’d recommend to visitors? 

Yo-Chi. It’s this really popular self-serve frozen-yogurt place. It’s so good. I love it so much. The vibe is amazing. They’re really welcoming.  

What’s the best hotel in the city? 

People are really big on Airbnbs. To be honest, I’m not built for Airbnbs, but I’ve been in the Hilton DoubleTree over here, and it’s really nice. I would recommend it. 

Which neighborhood would you recommend people look for accommodation in?  

Carlton. It’s a very Italian-oriented neighborhood with a lot of good food places. And it’s really safe compared to other areas. It’s on the outskirts of the city, but not far. And it’s really close to most of the universities. 

Where do you go when you’re feeling homesick or nostalgic for Ƶ? 

To be honest, nothing gives off the vibe of home. Nothing is similar to Saudi in Australia. It’s like the polar opposite. So, this is kind of a weird answer, but I’d say this coffee shop called Brunetti. It’s basically an Arab hot spot, and I think you’d find Saudis there. So maybe, if you’re an extrovert, you can socialize with people from back home over there.