
The Seven Dogs film begins production
Conceived by Turki al Sheikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, 'The Seven Dogs' is an action-packed thriller with a budget exceeding $40 million, making it the largest Arabic film production to date. The screenplay is written by Mohamed El Dabbah, who has previously worked on the popular Saudi TV series 'The Eight'.
The plot centres around Khalid al Azzazi, an Interpol officer, who is forced to team up with Ghali Abu Dawood, a member of a global crime syndicate known as '7 Dogs,' to stop the spread of a dangerous new drug called 'Pink Lady' across the Middle East. Their uneasy alliance sends them on a high-stakes mission to dismantle the criminal organisation, spanning multiple international cities including Mumbai and Shanghai.
The film will be the first to be shot at the newly opened Big Time al Hosn Studios in Riyadh, which will serve as a stand-in for the various global locations featured in the plot. The project is being produced by Sela, the production company owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which has been increasingly active in entertainment and sports investments.
Abdel Aziz and Ezz previously starred together in the period drama 'Kira & El Gin', one of Egypt's highest-grossing films. Their collaboration on 'The Seven Dogs' is highly anticipated, adding to the buzz surrounding the film's release.
Set for a theatrical release in late 2025, 'The Seven Dogs' is expected to raise the profile of Saudi cinema and further cement the kingdom's growing role as a hub for high-budget, international film prodctions.
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Observer
03-06-2025
- Observer
In Cairo, the little indie cinema that could
In the heart of Cairo, a small cinema has for over a decade offered a unique space for independent film in a country whose industry is largely dominated by commercial considerations. Zawya, meaning "perspective" in Arabic, has weathered the storm of Egypt's economic upheavals, championing a more artistic approach from the historical heart of the country's golden age of cinema. Zawya was born in the post-revolutionary artistic fervour of the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime president Hosni Mubarak. "There was this energy where people wanted to produce and create, not just in cinema, but in all the arts, you could feel it," said Zawya founder Youssef Shazli. In the time since, it has escaped a wave of closures -- some forced -- of art centres across the capital. Egypt had long been known as the Hollywood of the Arab world, but in the decades since its mid-century heyday, the domestic industry has largely been restricted to crowd-pleasing blockbusters. "It's often said that we're lucky to have a large film industry, with infrastructure already in place," said filmmaker Maged Nader. "But the truth is this industry operates solely on a commercial logic," leaving little room for independent filmmakers, he added. Yet Zawya has survived in its niche, in part due to the relative financial stability afforded to it by its parent company Misr International Films. Founded in 1972 by Egyptian cinematic giant Youssef Chahine -- Shazli's great uncle -- the company continues to produce and distribute films. - Young talent - For Shazli, Zawya is "a cinema for films that don't fit into traditional theatres". But for young cinephiles like 24-year-old actress Lujain, "it feels like home," she told AFP as she joined a winding queue into the larger of Zawya's two theatres. Since 2014, Zawya's year-round programming -- including both local and international short films, documentaries and feature films -- has secured the loyalty of a small but passionate scene. Its annual short film festival, held every spring, has become a vital space for up-and-coming directors trying to break through a system that leaves little room for experimentation. "I didn't even consider myself a filmmaker until Zawya screened my short," said Michael Samuel, 24, who works in advertising but says the cinema rekindled his artistic ambition. For many, that validation keeps them going. "Zawya has encouraged more people to produce these films because they finally have somewhere to be seen," said the cinema's manager, Mohamed Said. When Mostafa Gerbeii, a self-taught filmmaker, was looking for a set for his first film shoot, he also turned to the cinema. Without a studio or a budget, Zawya "just lent us their hall for free for a whole day", he said, saving the young director 100,000 Egyptian pounds (around $2,000) to rent a location. People arrive at the Zawya cinema in downtown Cairo on May 1, 2025. In the heart of Cairo, a small cinema has for over a decade offered a unique space for independent film in a country whose industry is largely dominated by commercial considerations (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) - The heir - The light of its marquee spilling onto downtown Cairo's Emad al-Din Street, Zawya is the 21st-century heir to a long artistic tradition that still lingers, though often hidden away in corners of the district's broad avenues. "It's a unique neighbourhood with an equally unique flavour of artistic and intellectual life," said Chihab El Khachab, a professor at the University of Oxford and author of the book "Making Film in Egypt". Starting in the late 19th century, the area was home to the city's biggest theatres and cabarets, launching the careers of the Arab world's most celebrated singers and actors. Today, its arteries flowing out of Tahrir square -- the heart of the 2011 uprising -- the neighbourhood is home to new-age coworking spaces and galleries, side by side with century-old theatres and bars. Yet even as it withstands the hegemony of mall multiplexes, Zawya cannot escape Egypt's pervasive censorship laws. Like every cinema in Egypt, each film must pass through a state censors before screening. "Over time, you learn to predict what will slide and what won't," Shazli said. But even the censors' scissors have failed to cut off the stream of ambition among burgeoning filmmakers. "Around Zawya, there's a lot of talent -- in every corner," Shazli said. "But what I wonder is: are there as many opportunities as there is talent? That's the real issue we need to address." —AFP


Muscat Daily
07-05-2025
- Muscat Daily
Film AlUla partners with MBS group to operate AlUla Studios
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Times of Oman
05-05-2025
- Times of Oman
Muscat International Book Fair attracts over 640,000 visitors
Muscat: The 29th edition of the Muscat International Book Fair recorded a 64.81% increase in visitors, attracting 649,589 attendees compared to 394,172 in the previous edition. This significant turnout reflects the fair's leading cultural stature and prominent position on the global events map. Ahmed Saud Al Rawahi, Director of Muscat International Book Fair, told Oman News Agency (ONA): 'With each edition, we strive to offer programmes that align with the aspirations and interests of all groups across various fields of knowledge. This year's 29th edition was notably more diverse and vibrant on multiple levels—local, Arab, and international—featuring the North A'Sharqiyah Governorate as the guest of honor, Saudi cultural days, and participants from Asia, Europe, and South America.' He added that the fair's diversity was evident through dialogue sessions, lectures, workshops, and an expanded children's programme, all contributing to the overarching theme of the 29th edition: 'Cultural Diversity: Enriching Global Civilizations.' These efforts helped attract a broader audience. Al Rawahi emphasised that the organising committee aims to build on this momentum through careful planning and continuous improvement, delivering human knowledge in all its forms and for all age groups. This approach serves books, readers, and publishers while aligning with humanity's cultural and intellectual progress and benefiting Omani society. He noted that the surge in attendance resulted from enhanced organisational efforts and a diversified programme, reflecting lessons learned from past editions and audience interests. The fair's improved structure and varied events were well-received by visitors. The participation of prominent cultural figures and extensive media coverage further highlighted the fair's significance, drawing more visitors despite its unusual early summer timing. This year's fair introduced several changes and improvements, including a more diverse program and international participation in exhibitions and events. The guest of honour pavilion, dedicated to North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, showcased the region's history and scenic beauty through an innovative and visually striking design, blending tradition and modernity. Additionally, the arts corner featured exhibitions honouring late Omani artists and poets, celebrating their contributions to poetry and art, which further captivated visitors. Regarding the most engaging cultural activities, Al Rawahi pointed out that the fair's accompanying programme included 366 diverse events, with specialised and children's workshops receiving particularly strong participation. Muscat International Book Fair received extensive local and international media coverage, with 70 journalists representing 37 foreign media outlets, underscoring its role in promoting culture and knowledge. This year's fair hosted 674 publishing houses from 35 countries—640 participating directly and 34 through agents—offering a total of 681,041 titles. These included approximately 467,413 Arabic books, 213,610 foreign titles, and 27,464 Omani publications. Around 52,205 newly printed books (2024–2025) were also featured.