Saudi Arabia marks new step in film industry

(Fatherland) - The Red Sea International Film Festival shows the dramatic changes in Saudi Arabia's film industry in recent times.

Saudi Arabia lifted a decades-long ban on cinemas in the kingdom in 2017. The revival of cinemas represents a rapid shift in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is promoting the entertainment industry as part of a sweeping reform plan called "Vision 2030".

Currently, according to SCMP, the Kingdom is investing heavily in the film industry by building cinemas and attracting global stars at a film festival, most recently the Red Sea International Film Festival.

Thai actor and singer Bright Vachirawit on the red carpet at the Red Sea International Film Festival. Photo: Instagram/@bbrightvc

The film "My Driver and I" was scheduled to be released in 2016, but was later canceled amid Saudi Arabia's decades-long film ban.

Eight years later - in 2024, the film industry in the kingdom is very different. And the actor of "My Driver and I" also has an award.

In particular, actress Roula Dakheelallah was named the winner of the Chopard Emerging Saudi Talent Award at the Red Sea International Film Festival on December 12. The award – and the glitzy festival – are a sign of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to shaping a new film industry.

"I have always been involved in cinema and art. I have always dreamed of a moment like this. I have worked in volunteer films and helped friends in the field, but this is my first big role in a film," Dakheelallah said before the awards ceremony.

The reopening of cinemas in 2018 marked a cultural turning point in Saudi Arabia, which had imposed a 35-year ban on films.

After lifting the ban, the country invested heavily in its indigenous film industry by opening cinemas and launching programs to support local filmmakers through grants and training.

The Red Sea International Film Festival was held just a year later, part of an effort to expand Saudi Arabia's influence into film, sports and other cultural fields.

Meanwhile, FIFA's awarding of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia last week also shows the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's efforts under Vision 2030 - an ambitious reform plan announced in 2016 to reduce the economy's dependence on oil.

Saudi Arabia promotes cultural development

Within that framework, as of April last year, Saudi Arabia planned to build 350 cinemas with more than 2,500 movie screens in 22 cities.

The Red Sea International Film Festival attracts talent from the world's film industry.

In addition, the country also opened the Al Hisn Studios film production center last month on the outskirts of Riyadh. One of the largest production centers in the Middle East, it includes not only several film studios but also a production village with carpentry, blacksmithing and fashion workshops.

“These facilities, when they exist, will stimulate filmmakers,” said Saudi actor Mohammed Elshehri.

The infrastructure is one part of the equation – the content itself is another. One of the key players in the dramatic transformation of the Saudi film industry is Telfaz11, a media company founded in 2011. Telfaz11 started as a YouTube channel and quickly became a pioneer.

Producing high-quality digital content such as short films, comedy skits and dramas, Telfaz11 has brought a fresh perspective to Saudi and regional issues.

In 2020, Telfaz11 signed a partnership with Netflix to produce original content for the streaming giant.

The film "Night Courier" has led viewers from a storytelling perspective, tackling topics that were once taboo and sensitive to the public, co-written and directed by Ali Kalthami in his directorial debut.

"Night Courier" explored sensitive social issues, marking a shift in Saudi storytelling.

"I think we tell our stories in a very simple way and that's how we approach the world. When you tell your story in a natural way without any artificiality, it resonates with people," said actor Elshehri about the change.

According to Hana Al-Omair, a Saudi writer and director, there are still many Saudi stories that have not been told.

“We certainly have a lot of time to tell the Saudi story,” she said.

With the film "My Driver and I", introduced at the Red Sea festival along with 11 other Saudi Arabian series, initially also caused controversy but is now well received.

Now in 2024, the film is a success story – emblematic of the growth of the Saudi film industry.

"I see a change in Saudi cinema, a very beautiful change and it is happening at a great pace. In my opinion, we do not need to rush. We need to orient well the artistic movement that is happening in Saudi Arabia," said Dakheelallah - an actor who received an award at the Red Sea International Film Festival./.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/saudi-arabia-danh-dau-buoc-tien-moi-trong-nganh-cong-nghiep-dien-anh-20241218165736841.htm