The Arab Film Festival 2010 launches its grand finale in Brisbane this weekend. After a sell-out tour of Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide it’s now Brisbane’s turn to catch the latest in contemporary cinema from the Arab world.

Opening on Friday 30 July is City of Life, the nail-biting action flick bursting out of Dubai with one of the most powerful car smash scenes ever caught on film. It’s the first feature film to come out of Dubai and features a fantastic international cast from India, Romania, Britain and the UAE in a sexy, action-packed story that captures the international pulse of this city of fast cars and fast fortunes.

On Saturday 31 July night catch Scheherazade, Tell Me a Story, a sharp and provocative drama about politics, feminism and power. Hebba Younis, a fiercely independent media personality, is forced into a difficult situation when her husband asks her to gag her opinions for the sake of his career. But it’s not long before she finds another way to the truth through women’s stories.

This best of the fest selection is showing at Dendy Cinemas Portside (Portside Wharf, Remora Rd, Hamilton).