Sharif in Dubai for Diff

It's without a doubt that the superstar of this year's Dubai International Film Festival is Omar Sharif, judging by the media frenzy surrounding the legendary Egyptian actor.

Sharif, who is one of the best known actors in the international film industry, touched down in the emirate yesterday to promote his Diff film J'ai Oublie de te Dire. He attended a press conference yesterday alongside director Laurent Vinas-Raymond.

Asked about the history of his great career and whether there were any roles he hadn't taken on yet, Sharif stated that he doesn't think about roles anymore.

"I am nearly 78 years old, so I have reached a point where I have forgotten the past, and I don't think about the future either," he said.

"I am very much living in the moment, because at the end of the day, I have reached the age where this could be my last minute on earth. It's not wrong to talk about this – it's destiny.

"I just choose to live for the present and live it to the maximum. I just take on roles that appeal to me. I don't think about the money," said Sharif.

"My son owns 15 restaurants in Egypt, and I passed on all my money to him.

"He is doing very well, so we have an agreement between us that whenever I need money, he sends it to me immediately. He takes care of me. Plus I get to eat for free, of course."


Showing at Diff 2009 today

DMC AMPHITHEATRE

8pm: Made in Hungaria (Hungary)

FIRST GROUP THEATRE

2.15pm: Amreeka (USA/Canada/Kuwait)

5pm: Variety Conversation with Gerard Butler

7.15pm: J'ai Oublie De Te Dire (France)

10pm: Los Abrazos Rotos (Spain)

MADINAT ARENA

8pm: Avatar (USA)

MALL OF THE EMIRATES

12.30pm: Ahasin Wetei (Sri Lanka /France)

1pm: 12 Angry Lebanese: The Documentary (Lebanon)

1pm: Adieu Gary (France

1pm: Women Without Men (Germany/Austria/France)

1.15pm: Prince of Tears (Taiwan)

1.15pm: 2009 Muhr Arab Shorts 1

1.30pm: Sham Moh (Malaysia/HK/South Korea)

3pm: Budrus (USA)

3.15pm: Muhr Arab Documentary 1

3.15pm: Arab-French Rendez-Vous

3.30pm: Lost Paradise (Japan)

3.30pm: Feng Sheng (China)

3.45pm: Bran Nue Dae (Australia)

3.45pm: 2009 Muhr Arab Shorts 3

3.45pm: Un Prophete (France)

4.15pm: Muhr Asia-Africa Shorts 2

4.15pm: Shirley Adams (South Africa)

5pm: Silsila (India)

5.30pm: Shorts for Kids

6.30pm: The Other Song (India)

6.30pm: Hammada (Spain)

6.45pm: The Man Who Sold The World (Morocco)

7pm: Al Mihna (UK/Iraq/Italy/UAE)

7pm: Good Hair (USA)

7.15pm: Zanzibar Musical Club (France/Germany)

7.15pm: Muhr Asia-Africa Shorts 3

7.30pm: Futsu No Shigoto Ga Shitai (Japan)

8pm: Kick Off (Japan/Iraq)

9pm: Die Koreanische Hochzeitstruhe (Germany)

9.15pm: 1981 (Canada)

9.30pm: Sama Uozu (Japan)

9.30pm: Metropia (Sweden)

9.30pm: Lille Soldat (Denmark)

9.45pm: The Circle (Kuwait/UAE)

9.45pm: Apres La Chute (France)

10pm: Lola (France/Philippines)

10.15pm: Wahed-Sefr (Egypt)

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