
Saudi thriller film ‘Seven Dogs' releases first look images
A late 2025 theatrical release is planned for the film, which is produced by Sela, the company owned by Saudi's Public Investment Fund.
The first images from Seven Dogs, the Saudi-shot action thriller from directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, have been revealed as production continues outside Riyadh. With a budget of $40m, the film is being hailed as a major milestone for Saudi Arabia's rapidly growing film industry.
Egyptian cinema icons Karim Abdel Aziz and Ahmed Ezz take on the lead roles in this high-stakes thriller.
Filming is currently taking place at Alhisn Big Time Studios in Riyadh, reportedly one of the largest production facilities in the MENA region, with additional scenes being shot at Riyadh Boulevard. The city will double as multiple international locations, including Mumbai and Shanghai.
The project is backed by Jeddah-based entertainment company Sela, with The Gentlemen and Wrath of Man producer Ivan Atkinson leading production. The original story comes from Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, a key figure in the country's entertainment and sports expansion.
Seven Dogs follows Interpol officer Khalid Al-Azzazi (Ezz) as he captures Ghali Abu Dawood (Aziz), a high-ranking member of the shadowy global crime syndicate known as 7 Dogs. A year after his arrest, the organisation resurfaces, distributing a powerful new drug called Pink Lady across the Middle East. With time running out, Khalid must form an uneasy alliance with Ghali, the only person with inside knowledge of the syndicate's operations. Their reluctant partnership sets them on a thrilling mission spanning multiple international cities as they attempt to dismantle the criminal empire and prevent the deadly drug from spreading.
The screenplay is written by Mohamed El Dabbah. Seven Dogs is slated for a late 2025 release.
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