Dubai is one of the most vibrant and richest cities in the world (sometimes dubbed "Vegas-on-crack," and it’s the city that has the biggest, largest and tallest of anything). Say what you want about Dubai; good or bad, you won’t be able to deny its lure, the beauty of its gold souk, the distinct architectural designs of its buildings, its lush landscapes, its multiculturalism, its tolerance of religious minorities, its immaculate cleanliness, and, of course, the plethora of its resident foreigners who outnumber the local population by something like one thousand to one.

Perhaps the one thing that makes DIFF, now in its fourth edition, unique is its blend of Eastern and Western film culture. Although the majority of the films shown at DIFF are made by Arab filmmakers, there is, however, a solid Hollywood presence. Hollywood always seems to book the highly coveted opening and closing night spots. When it comes to filling seats with warm bodies, the DIFF selection committee is definitely keener on Tinseltown flicks. Sure, it’s an Arab film festival, but put production values and quality versus mainly low-budget and low-quality material, and Hollywood undisputedly takes the cake.

The kudos of this year’s opening night went to George Clooney’s "Michael Clayton." The star showed up in person to grace the festival. During a press conference, Clooney was mobbed by Arab reporters who asked almost nothing but political questions. In a rather embarrassing moment, one enlightened reporter asked Clooney if he would call President Bush a "terrorist." (In the Arab world, political faux-pas is second nature.) With his trademark smile, Clooney brushed the question aside with a magnanimous reply. Sharon Stone, another Hollywood heavy-hitter (or at least used to be in the old days of "Basic Instinct"), hosted a forum where she raised awareness about AIDS. The sold-out event was a boon to the festival as the star’s presence definitely made a big splash.

Closing night honors went to "Kite Runner." Author Khalid Hosseini and most of its main cast was present. The critically acclaimed film was dogged by controversy because of a child rape scene. Apparently, its child cast members received credible threats that forced the film’s producers to relocate the children to the UAE. Notwithstanding its much anticipated premiere, the film received mixed reaction among some local Iranian and Afghani audience members. One filmgoer called it the "worst film" he had ever seen. Another one called it "passable" at best, arguing it was too "Hollywoodized."

Of the many films that screened that had some Arab element was a French film called "Intimate Enemies." This film was nothing less than brilliant. Directed by Florent Emilio Siri, who directed Bruce Willis in "Hostage," and inspired by a same-titled nonfiction book and documentary, the film tells the story of a French elite platoon that wades into enemy territory during the 1954-62 Algerian War of Liberation. "Intimate Enemies" shows the brutality of war, the futility of occupation, and the consequences of torture and cruelty on human sense of morality.

Although the awards ceremony was poorly presented and atrociously hosted (Note to DIFF organizers: watch the Academy Awards and learn from the best. There is no excuse for mediocrity when the festival was in its fourth year), hundreds of thousands of dollars were given away as prizes to emerging filmmakers. A true highlight of the ceremony was the much deserved special award given to actor Danny Glover for his contribution to film. (Glover’s performance in his new film "Honeydripper" is totally Oscar-worthy.)

In spite of its many shortcomings, the fourth edition of DIFF was an overall success. Its main goal to bridge cultures and bring like-minded people together was definitely achieved. For eight days, filmmakers from around the world watched films, dined and partied together in an overall festive mood that truly reflected their diversity, multiculturalism and love of film.