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Broadcast Pro
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Saudi comedy ‘Alzarfa' tops local box office, outperforming global hits
Alzarfa attracted 184,000 admissions and generated a box office gross of $2.4m within its first three days of release, according to data from the Saudi Film Commission. Saudi comedy Alzarfa: Escape from Hanhounia Hell has taken the lead at the Saudi Arabian box office over the weekend, outperforming major international releases Jurassic World Rebirth and F1: The Movie. The film, a wild heist adventure about three friends attempting to steal a treasure known as 'The Golden Rashrash' from a museum owned by an eccentric billionaire, claimed the number one spot with 213,000 admissions and a box office haul of $2.7m in its first three days, according to figures from leading regional distributor Italia Film. In comparison, Jurassic World Rebirth trailed significantly, landing in third place with 55,000 admissions and earnings of just over $800,000 in its debut weekend. Meanwhile, F1: The Movie, now in its second week, secured the second spot with 70,000 admissions and a $1.2m weekend total, pushing its cumulative gross in the kingdom to $3.8m. Alzarfa, produced by Saudi production companies Alshimaisi Films and Telfaz11 in partnership with Big Time Fund and distributed by Qanawat, is the latest local hit following their previous blockbuster Sattar, which grossed over $10m in 2023, becoming the highest-earning Saudi film since commercial cinemas reopened in 2017 after a 35-year ban. Blending elements of a heist film with a metafilm twist, Alzarfa follows the three protagonists from a failed robbery attempt to a surprising turn of events in which they become part of a film being produced by the same tycoon they had targeted. The fictional movie, depicting the tycoon's family history, is shot in the very locations tied to the treasure they had hoped to steal. Marking the feature directorial debut of Abdullah Majed—known for his short film Safraa's Night and the TV drama Ureem: Balcony Hotel—Alzarfa features a cast including Mohammed Shaif, Hamed Sharari, Ahmed Al-Kaabi, and Ibrahim Alkhairallah, along with a cameo from American actor Robert Knepper of Prison Break fame. Following its successful Saudi launch, the film is set to roll out across the region in the coming weeks. Its strong local performance reflects a growing trend in Saudi Arabia's evolving film industry, where homegrown titles are increasingly dominating box office charts. Earlier this year, Abdulaziz Alshlahei's period drama Hobal similarly outshone Hollywood competitors like Mufasa: The Lion King, Flight Risk, and Den of Thieves 2: Pantera in Saudi cinemas. With the country's annual box office stabilizing at around $200–$250 million, Saudi productions are proving they can compete head-to-head with international franchises. In a statement, executive producer and Alshimaisi Films CEO Ibrahim Alkhairallah said: 'It's incredibly exciting to see another Saudi film take the lead during a packed summer slate. Following the success of Sattar, Alzarfa is further proof that audiences are craving locally-rooted stories told in our own voice but on a scale that can rival the biggest global titles.'
The Star
13-05-2025
- The Star
China's Yunnan launches cultural exhibition in Saudi capital, spotlighting heritage, tourism ties
RIYADH, May 13 (Xinhua) -- China's Yunnan Province opened a cultural exhibition in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday, featuring UNESCO World Heritage displays, traditional craft demonstrations, and a symbolic fusion of tea and coffee culture, as part of the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year. The event, held at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter, drew hundreds of Saudi officials, diplomats, and local residents. Titled "A Life Called Yunnan," the exhibition highlighted striking photographs of the province's natural and cultural landmarks, including the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas and the Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu'er -- both listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The latter was inscribed during the UNESCO conference hosted in Riyadh in 2023. Saudi visitors were drawn to Yunnan's lush landscapes and diverse ecosystems, with many expressing interest in its ecotourism potential. The tourism segment of the exhibition underlined centuries-old connections between China and the Arabian Peninsula, referencing the 15th-century voyages of Zheng He. Born in Yunnan, the Ming Dynasty admiral and diplomat led maritime expeditions that reached the Red Sea and Arabia, laying early foundations for trade and cultural exchange. Parallels were also drawn between the historic waterways of Yunnan's Lijiang and the old districts of Saudi Arabia's Jeddah, with Saudi travel agencies expressing interest in developing tour packages tailored to the Chinese province. Artisans from Yunnan's Yi and Bai ethnic groups demonstrated traditional embroidery and indigo tie-dye crafts. Other exhibitors showcased silver-inlaid copperware, a practice recognized as national intangible cultural heritage in China. Guests were served Yunnan's renowned Pu'er tea alongside Arabica coffee grown in the province, which is China's largest coffee-producing region due to its favorable weather and soil conditions. Organizers described the pairing as a "dialogue between traditions," symbolizing a deeper cultural connection. "Saudi coffee is part of our identity, but Yunnan's beans have a unique smoothness. There's potential here," said Saudi vlogger Abdullah Majed. The exhibition coincides with the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Saudi Arabia. Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua said the event helped "advance mutual understanding through shared heritage." Zeng Yan, a senior official from Yunnan, outlined plans for enhanced cooperation, including a World Heritage Voyage Program for Saudi tourists, youth exchange initiatives, and joint archaeological projects focused on Zheng He's journeys to the Red Sea. Home to more than half of China's plant and vertebrate species, Yunnan is regarded as the country's most biodiverse and culturally rich province. It hosts six UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is known for its vibrant ethnic traditions, including the Water Splashing Festival of the Dai people.
