Sex and the City in Abu Dhabi
May 29th 2010, 2:32 pm
#1
Perky but sarky
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Limboland
Posts: 608
Sex and the City in Abu Dhabi
By all accounts the film is shite, but the reviewers here are particularly virulent regarding the portrayal of abu dhabi, especially the women. See this from yesterday's standard:
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/film/r...-the-inside.do
My favourite praragraph being:
This is the point at which the last drop of old-style, nostalgic jollity associated
with Sex and the City drains away. It has become a neo-con fantasy, an Anne Coulter-like reversal of radical politics to suit the spirit of the age, where Western “values” must be imposed on savage nations. At the lowest point in the film, Carrie and her mates enter a room full of women in burkas, and the latter remove them, as if compelled by the power of moral example to reveal their own big-label gear, which they are wearing underneath, closer to their true selves. “We too can be American, like you, Carrie,” they seem to say.
Many reviews here calling it, amongst other things, racist.
I was under the impression that sex was the reason it wasn't allowed to be filmed in abu dhabi. Perhaps the authorities just read the script.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/film/r...-the-inside.do
My favourite praragraph being:
This is the point at which the last drop of old-style, nostalgic jollity associated
with Sex and the City drains away. It has become a neo-con fantasy, an Anne Coulter-like reversal of radical politics to suit the spirit of the age, where Western “values” must be imposed on savage nations. At the lowest point in the film, Carrie and her mates enter a room full of women in burkas, and the latter remove them, as if compelled by the power of moral example to reveal their own big-label gear, which they are wearing underneath, closer to their true selves. “We too can be American, like you, Carrie,” they seem to say.
Many reviews here calling it, amongst other things, racist.
I was under the impression that sex was the reason it wasn't allowed to be filmed in abu dhabi. Perhaps the authorities just read the script.
May 29th 2010, 4:04 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 5,965
Re: Sex and the City in Abu Dhabi
Right then, so they didn't like the film?
The wardrobe is meant to be fabulous though!
The wardrobe is meant to be fabulous though!
May 29th 2010, 5:39 pm
#4
Perky but sarky
Thread Starter
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Re: Sex and the City in Abu Dhabi
As a comitted fan of the series I'll probably go to see it. BUT, I really didn't like the last film.
As for fashion, some of the outfits are ok and the shoes are fab: but I honestly pretty much always thought carrie looked ridiculous. And from the EPK I saw of this film she's got worse. She looks like a little old wizzened witch of the north who has been fannying around with priscilla queen of the desert's dressing up box. True.
As for fashion, some of the outfits are ok and the shoes are fab: but I honestly pretty much always thought carrie looked ridiculous. And from the EPK I saw of this film she's got worse. She looks like a little old wizzened witch of the north who has been fannying around with priscilla queen of the desert's dressing up box. True.
May 29th 2010, 6:20 pm
#5
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Posts: 2,502
Re: Sex and the City in Abu Dhabi
I'm more curious as to why Abu Dhabi?
Dubai would make much more sense. Dubai already has a reputation as a glam party town with all the fancy hotels and shops and bars.
But Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi?
Dubai would make much more sense. Dubai already has a reputation as a glam party town with all the fancy hotels and shops and bars.
But Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi?
May 29th 2010, 7:22 pm
#6
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Qatar
Posts: 26
Re: Sex and the City in Abu Dhabi
I read that although the movie is set in Abu Dhabi, it was actually filmed in Morocco.
May 29th 2010, 11:07 pm
#7
ex-expat
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: in front of my computer - in sunny Sussex!
Posts: 2,162
Re: Sex and the City in Abu Dhabi
They tried to give some insight (sooo the wrong word), or rather a nod of vague misunderstood recognition to cultural values here - whatsherface the old one was told repeatedly to cover up more, had her hormone supplements confiscated at the airport, got arrested for groping a chap - everyone found this hilarious in the UK cinema, but I didn't - and then dropped a stash of condoms in a souk and proceeded to give all the spectators the finger, which again, got a round of raucous laughter from the public who knows no better.
One thing that did make me smile was when wasserhorsieface's "private butler" told her that he could only afford to go back to India to see his wife every 3 months. If only she knew.
Anyhow, word is that Dubai refused to let it be filmed here... can't see why.
May 30th 2010, 4:36 am
#8
why ayeeeee man!
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Disco Gardens...
Posts: 11,370
Re: Sex and the City in Abu Dhabi
got dragged to see it yesterday - utter tripe. A few interesting points in the script though, namely when a supposed sheikh says that "Dubai is finished" (ooo, that's bound to go down well!) and whatsherface who married the Jewish chap decides to go under her maiden name because "Er, it's the Middle East!"
They tried to give some insight (sooo the wrong word), or rather a nod of vague misunderstood recognition to cultural values here - whatsherface the old one was told repeatedly to cover up more, had her hormone supplements confiscated at the airport, got arrested for groping a chap - everyone found this hilarious in the UK cinema, but I didn't - and then dropped a stash of condoms in a souk and proceeded to give all the spectators the finger, which again, got a round of raucous laughter from the public who knows no better.
One thing that did make me smile was when wasserhorsieface's "private butler" told her that he could only afford to go back to India to see his wife every 3 months. If only she knew.
Anyhow, word is that Dubai refused to let it be filmed here... can't see why.
They tried to give some insight (sooo the wrong word), or rather a nod of vague misunderstood recognition to cultural values here - whatsherface the old one was told repeatedly to cover up more, had her hormone supplements confiscated at the airport, got arrested for groping a chap - everyone found this hilarious in the UK cinema, but I didn't - and then dropped a stash of condoms in a souk and proceeded to give all the spectators the finger, which again, got a round of raucous laughter from the public who knows no better.
One thing that did make me smile was when wasserhorsieface's "private butler" told her that he could only afford to go back to India to see his wife every 3 months. If only she knew.
Anyhow, word is that Dubai refused to let it be filmed here... can't see why.
May 30th 2010, 5:21 am
#9
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,502
Re: Sex and the City in Abu Dhabi
got dragged to see it yesterday - utter tripe. A few interesting points in the script though, namely when a supposed sheikh says that "Dubai is finished" (ooo, that's bound to go down well!) and whatsherface who married the Jewish chap decides to go under her maiden name because "Er, it's the Middle East!"
They tried to give some insight (sooo the wrong word), or rather a nod of vague misunderstood recognition to cultural values here - whatsherface the old one was told repeatedly to cover up more, had her hormone supplements confiscated at the airport, got arrested for groping a chap - everyone found this hilarious in the UK cinema, but I didn't - and then dropped a stash of condoms in a souk and proceeded to give all the spectators the finger, which again, got a round of raucous laughter from the public who knows no better.
One thing that did make me smile was when wasserhorsieface's "private butler" told her that he could only afford to go back to India to see his wife every 3 months. If only she knew.
Anyhow, word is that Dubai refused to let it be filmed here... can't see why.
They tried to give some insight (sooo the wrong word), or rather a nod of vague misunderstood recognition to cultural values here - whatsherface the old one was told repeatedly to cover up more, had her hormone supplements confiscated at the airport, got arrested for groping a chap - everyone found this hilarious in the UK cinema, but I didn't - and then dropped a stash of condoms in a souk and proceeded to give all the spectators the finger, which again, got a round of raucous laughter from the public who knows no better.
One thing that did make me smile was when wasserhorsieface's "private butler" told her that he could only afford to go back to India to see his wife every 3 months. If only she knew.
Anyhow, word is that Dubai refused to let it be filmed here... can't see why.
If the movie was filmed in Morocco, why not have it take place in Morocco? Or Egypt. Abu Dhabi still makes no sense.
May 30th 2010, 7:13 am
#10
Down and out
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Re-Expated
Posts: 872
Re: Sex and the City in Abu Dhabi
An equally damning review in the National http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs....73392240180705
My expectations would not have been high, but the snake charmer in Abu Dhabi airport and 'nee-kwab' sound spectacularly crap
My expectations would not have been high, but the snake charmer in Abu Dhabi airport and 'nee-kwab' sound spectacularly crap
May 30th 2010, 8:23 am
#11
ex-expat
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: in front of my computer - in sunny Sussex!
Posts: 2,162
Re: Sex and the City in Abu Dhabi
yeah, I really feel the need to watch the entire series of Spartacus, Blood and Sand again to regain some kind of mental balance.
As for why Abu Dhabi... well, everything in that film is about brand and celebrity - I guess they had some major funding/ freebies from the big brands and heck, the cinema was packed and all those people are now thinking Abu Dhabi is The Place to Holiday - phwahhahahahaha.
In a way, an inanely superficial and vapid, but instantly "successful" film is the perfect medium to sell and inanely superficial and vapid holiday destination.
As for why Abu Dhabi... well, everything in that film is about brand and celebrity - I guess they had some major funding/ freebies from the big brands and heck, the cinema was packed and all those people are now thinking Abu Dhabi is The Place to Holiday - phwahhahahahaha.
In a way, an inanely superficial and vapid, but instantly "successful" film is the perfect medium to sell and inanely superficial and vapid holiday destination.
May 30th 2010, 9:01 am
#12
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 1,633
Re: Sex and the City in Abu Dhabi
I am planning on watching the film when I get back to UK so it should be a laugh.
May 30th 2010, 11:26 am
#14
Bored liberal
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Over there ----->
Posts: 13,713
Re: Sex and the City in Abu Dhabi
I shall probably download and watch it, largely so I can laugh at the ignorant Americans.
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May 30th 2010, 12:33 pm
#15
Bored liberal
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Over there ----->
Posts: 13,713
Re: Sex and the City in Abu Dhabi
Seems that even Americans think the film is stupid.
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/b...nt?oid=4132715
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http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/b...nt?oid=4132715
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