Lebanese film wins top prize at Dubai Festival
Tunisians come second and third
A Lebanese film "Taht el Qasef" ("Under Bombing") directed by Philippe Aractingi won the top prize at the fourth Dubai international film festival.
The film tells the story of a love affair between a Muslim Shiite woman and a Christian man in Lebanon during Israel's devastating offensive in July-August 2006.
Aractingi's film beat off competition from two Tunisian movies to take the Gold Muhr award presented at a gala ceremony at the end of the festival which showcased 141 films from 52 countries.
The film’s star, Nada Abu Farhat, took the festival's best actress award, while Nadim Sawalha walked off with the best actor accolade for his role in the Jordanian film "Captain Abu Raed".
Tunisian director Nouri Bouzid took the Silver Muhr award for his "Akhir Film (Making Of)", while his compatriot Abdellatif Kechiche won the Bronze Muhr for La Graine et le Mulet (the Secret of the Grain), which already won three awards at the Venice Film Festival, including the Special Jury award.