Gwyneth Paltrow joins Halle Berry at Red Sea Film Festival final night

Gwyneth Paltrow catches in the eye in bright yellow dress while Halle Berry flashes her cleavage in sequinned gold gown at the closing night of the Red Sea International Film Festival

Gwyneth Paltrow stood out from the crowd as she joined Halle Berry at the closing night of the Red Sea International Film Festival 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

The actress, 51, turned heads in a bold yellow dress with voluminous sleeves and a draped skirt.

Her brightly coloured number boasted a central slit to give a peek at her long legs and matching strappy yellow high heels. 

Gwyneth swept her blonde hair back in an elegant ponytail to show off her diamond encrusted dangly earrings.

The Goop founder beamed as she posed on the red carpet alongside the CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, Mohammed Al Turki.

Gwyneth Paltrow stood out from the crowd as she joined Halle Berry at the closing night of the Red Sea International Film Festival 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Thursday

The actress, 51, turned heads in a bold yellow dress with voluminous sleeves and a draped skirt

Her brightly coloured number boasted a central slit to give a peek at her long legs and matching strappy yellow high heels

Meanwhile, Halle, 57, ensured all eyes were on her as she arrived in an ornate gold and black high-necked gown.

Her show-stopping outfit boasted long sleeves, structured shoulder-pads and was covered in intricate embroidered sequin patterns.

The Oscar winning actress added a daring touch as she flashed a glimpse of her ample cleavage through the sheer bodice. 

Halle was joined at the event by her boyfriend Van Hunt, who looked dapper in a black tuxedo and matching shirt.

Jury member Freida Pinto looked nothing short of sensational in a strapless red gown with a sheer corsetted bodice and sequin detailing.

The Slumdog Millionaire star, 39, sported a large diamond necklace as well as a matching bracelet, ring and earrings for added glamour.

She styled her raven hair in an intricate updo and completed her striking look with black winged eyeliner.

Andrew Garfield looked typically dashing in a white open collared shirt and a black suit as he threw up a peace sign for the photographers. 

Gwyneth swept her blonde hair back in an elegant ponytail to show off her diamond encrusted dangly earrings

The Goop founder beamed as she posed on the red carpet alongside the CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, Mohammed Al Turki

Meanwhile, Halle, 57, ensured all eyes were on her as she arrived in an ornate gold and black high-necked gown

Her show-stopping outfit boasted long sleeves, structured shoulder-pads and was covered in intricate embroidered sequin patterns

The Oscar winning actress added a daring touch as she flashed a glimpse of her ample cleavage through the sheer bodice

Halle was joined at the event by her boyfriend Van Hunt, who looked dapper in a black tuxedo and matching shirt

Jury member Freida Pinto looked nothing short of sensational in a strapless red gown with a sheer corsetted bodice and sequin detailing

The Slumdog Millionaire star, 39, sported a large diamond necklace as well as a matching bracelet, ring and earrings for added glamour

She styled her raven hair in an intricate updo and completed her striking look with black winged eyeliner

Andrew Garfield looked typically dashing in a white open collared shirt and a black suit as he threw up a peace sign for the photographers

The Spiderman actor’s hair was artfully styled as he posed for a photo alongside Gwyneth inside the venue

Joel Kinnaman cut a stylish figure in a brown blazer with embroidered patterns stitched into it.

He teamed it with a coordinating pair of trousers, leather shoes and a plain black vest with a silver chain.

Georgina Chapman dazzled in a metallic gold gown with a daring leg slit and floaty lace and bejewelled sleeves. 

She added an extra few inches of height to her frame with a pair of gold high heels adorned with flowers.

The fashion designer added a pair of sparkly statement earrings and opted for a full face of glamorous make-up.

She was joined by her boyfriend Adrien Brody, who looked dashing in a black blazer and trousers.

He added a white shirt underneath, a classic black bow tie and a pair of smart black shoes.

The loved-up couple posed together in their seats inside and stopped to take a snap with Freida.

Joel Kinnaman cut a stylish figure in a brown blazer with embroidered patterns stitched into it.

He teamed it with a coordinating pair of trousers, leather shoes and a plain black vest with a silver chain

Georgina Chapman dazzled in a metallic gold gown with a daring leg slit and floaty lace and bejewelled sleeves

She added an extra few inches of height to her frame with a pair of gold high heels adorned with flowers

The fashion designer added a pair of sparkly statement earrings and opted for a full face of glamorous make-up

She was joined by her boyfriend Adrien Brody, who looked dashing in a black blazer and trousers

He added a white shirt underneath, a classic black bow tie and a pair of smart black shoes

The loved-up couple, who have been dating since early 2020, posed together in their seats inside

The Oscar winner and the Marchesa founder stopped to take a snap with Freida

Adrien and Georgina also posed for photograph with Saudi Arabian film producer Mohammed

Henry Golding looked handsome in a dark teal velvet suit layered over a white button-up shirt.

The actor teamed it with a unique knitted black tie and added a black and white patterned pocket square.

Jason Statham put on a debonair display in a classic black suit with a collared shirt and black bow tie.

The action star added a white pocket square for an extra touch and a pair of shiny black dress shoes.

Professional boxer Amir Khan was also in attendance at the event with his wife Faryal Makhdoom.

He looked sharp in a black double breasted blazer, teamed with a coordinating shirt and trousers and a blue spotted tie.

Faryal cut a glamorous figure in a white satin gown with a dramatically long train that flowed behind her on the red carpet.

Her draped number boasted a daringly high slit to show off her long legs and was encrusted in gemstones.

Henry Golding looked handsome in a dark teal velvet suit layered over a white button-up shirt

The actor teamed it with a unique knitted black tie and added a black and white patterned pocket square

Jason Statham put on a debonair display in a classic black suit with a collared shirt and black bow tie

The action star added a white pocket square for an extra touch and a pair of shiny black dress shoes

The Transporter star looked relaxed as he sat in his seat to watch the ceremony

Professional boxer Amir Khan was also in attendance at the event with his wife Faryal Makhdoom

He looked sharp in a black double breasted blazer, teamed with a coordinating shirt and trousers and a blue spotted tie 

Faryal cut a glamorous figure in a white satin gown with a dramatically long train that flowed behind her on the red carpet

Her draped number boasted a daringly high slit to show off her long legs and was encrusted in gemstones

She covered her head in a hood attached to her dress and added a diamond necklace and bracelet for even more sparkle

Nicholas Cage was also present at the star-studded event, catching the eye in a bright red suit

The Con Air actor teamed it with a black shirt and a pair of silver tipped black leather boots 

She covered her head in a hood attached to her dress and added a diamond necklace and bracelet for even more sparkle.

Nicholas Cage was also present at the star-studded event, catching the eye in a bright red suit.

The Con Air actor teamed it with a black shirt and a pair of silver tipped black leather boots.

Nicholas appeared delighted as he received an Honorary Award on stage.

Nicholas’ film Dream Scenario will close the festival on December 9, joined fellow 2023 honorees Diane Kruger, Ranveer Singh and Abdullah Al-Sadhan. 

The Red Sea Film Festival, which has attracted stars like Will Smith, Sharon Stone and Johnny Depp, has been at the centre of an ‘arts-washing’ controversy this week.

The Festival in Jeddah is run by a foundation chaired by the Saudi culture minister.

Critics regard it as a part of the regime’s ‘arts-washing’ and ‘sports-washing’ in which glamorous international events are held in order to distract from human rights abuses.

Homosexuality remains a crime punishable by death in the kingdom and widespread outrage greeted the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, by agents of the Saudi government at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

On Friday, the Puck news website ran an item about ‘the Saudi’s blood red carpet’ claiming: ‘$1 million was the standing offer that went around the talent agencies for major stars to walk the carpet… Will Smith may even have gotten more than that.’

The Red Sea Film Festival, which has attracted stars like Will Smith , Sharon Stone and Johnny Depp , has been at the centre of an ‘arts-washing’ controversy this week

Critics regard it as a part of the regime’s ‘arts-washing’ and ‘sports-washing’ in which glamorous international events are held in order to distract from human rights abuses

Homosexuality remains a crime punishable by death in the kingdom and widespread outrage greeted the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, by agents of the Saudi government at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey

The country banned cinema until six years ago but is now pouring millions into incentives to and this festival as part of its strategy aimed at moving the economy away from its dependence on oil

Its selection as the opening title is seen as a sign of the growing strength of the film and TV business in Saudi Arabia, just six years after the lifting of the country’s 35-year cinema ban as part of its 2030 economy strategy

A spokesperson for Human Rights Watch said earlier this year: ‘For a number of years the Saudi government has been using this high profile Festival as a means by which to draw attention from its egregious human rights record – and they are continuing to do this, unfortunately’

They added: ‘The human rights record in the country is only getting worse. We have documented an awful case of a retired teacher who was sentenced to death based on his peaceful twitter and YouTube activity in July this year’

They continued: ‘It is deeply concerning that this Festival is engaging powerful artists and performers and celebrities who have made use of freedom of expression through their art and yet are participating in a Festival which is hosted by the government which does not tolerate that freedom’

The message from the charity is: ‘If you must go, then use your platform to raise awareness about the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia’

Nicholas appeared delighted as he received an Honorary Award on stage

The actor gave a speech at the film festival

Nicholas’ film Dream Scenario will close the festival on December 9, joined fellow 2023 honorees Diane Kruger, Ranveer Singh and Abdullah Al-Sadhan

CEO of the Red Sea International Film Festival Mohammed Al Turki, Nicolas and jury member Joel Kinnaman posed with the award

Johnny has a long-standing relationship with the festival as its foundation were among the backers of his comeback film Jeanne Du Barry.

Speaking at the festival at the weekend, Will – rebuilding his reputation after the Oscars slap in 2022, said he was keen to work in the Kingdom, saying he had ambitions to make: ‘A movie with Denzel – yes! A movie with Denzel Washington in Saudi!’ 

The chair of the jury this year is the Elvis and Moulin Rouge! Director Baz Luhrmann, who has also spoken warmly about Saudi Arabia.

The country banned cinema until six years ago but is now pouring millions into incentives to and this festival as part of its strategy aimed at moving the economy away from its dependence on oil.

Its selection as the opening title is seen as a sign of the growing strength of the film and TV business in Saudi Arabia, just six years after the lifting of the country’s 35-year cinema ban as part of its 2030 economy strategy.

A spokesperson for Human Rights Watch said earlier this year: ‘For a number of years the Saudi government has been using this high profile Festival as a means by which to draw attention from its egregious human rights record – and they are continuing to do this, unfortunately.

‘The human rights record in the country is only getting worse. We have documented an awful case of a retired teacher who was sentenced to death based on his peaceful twitter and YouTube activity in July this year.

‘It is deeply concerning that this Festival is engaging powerful artists and performers and celebrities who have made use of freedom of expression through their art and yet are participating in a Festival which is hosted by the government which does not tolerate that freedom.’

The message from the charity is: ‘If you must go, then use your platform to raise awareness about the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia.’ 

Source: Read Full Article