Latest news with #SaudiFilm
Arab News
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi stars promote new film 'Al-Gaid' by Telfaz11
DUBAI: Saudi actress Maria Bahrawi took to social media to promote studio Telfaz11's latest film, 'Al-Gaid.' For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ The 18-year-old actress shared a post about the new film on Instagram Stories, featuring several stills from the movie. The film is directed by Hussam Al-Halwa and written by Ahmed Al-Haqil. A post shared by Telfaz11 (@telfaz11) Starring Yaqoub Al-Farhan, Saad Al-Shatti, Khaled Abdel Aziz and Ibtisam Ahmed, the film is set against the backdrop of the 19th-century northern Arabian desert in winter. It was penned by Saudi novelist Ahmed Al-Hokail and blends the revenge genre with Bedouin soap opera tropes, according to Variety. The film '(crafts) a unique narrative tailored for an Arab audience,' according to a Telfaz11 statement. 'Rooted in an authentic Saudi perspective, 'Al-Gaid' aims to revolutionize the landscape of Saudi epic films,' the statement added. Telfaz11 is a homegrown creative and media studio that has been behind successful Saudi projects like 'Sattar,' which became the highest-grossing Saudi movie in the first three months of its release, and 'Mandoob,' which beat 'Wonka' from Warner Bros. on its opening weekend in Saudi Arabia in 2023. Although she does not star in the film, Bahrawi is one of many Saudi stars whipping up excitement over 'Al-Gaid,' with the likes of actress Mila Al-Zahrani and creative director Ahmed Al-Kaabi taking to her comments section to discuss the new movie. No stranger to success herself, Bahrawi starred in 'Norah,' the debut feature of Saudi filmmaker Tawfik Al-Zaidi, which screened in the Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard section in 2024. The film received the Special Mention accolade at the event. The movie, shot entirely in AlUla, is set in 1990s Saudi Arabia when the professional pursuit of all art, including painting, was frowned upon. Besides Bahrawi, the movie also stars Yaqoub Al-Farhan and Abdullah Al-Satian. It follows the story of Norah and failed artist Nader as they encourage each other to realize their creative potential in rural Saudi Arabia. The movie was backed by the Red Sea Fund — one of the Red Sea Film Foundation's programs — and was filmed with an all-Saudi cast and a 40 percent Saudi crew. 'I'm living the dream. Inshallah, I'll reach bigger and higher goals. I have all the opportunities in the world, now it's up to me to take them,' Bahrawi previously told Arab News while discussing the film
Arab News
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Review: ‘Holes' is a prime example of quiet, impactful storytelling
Saudi film 'Holes' continues to make its mark with screenings at film festivals around the world. The quietly arresting drama follows Rakan, a man in his mid-40s, as he returns to his hometown to be with his wife, Reem. He struggles to re-enter a society that no longer trusts him — and one that he also does not fit into. The film starts with a literal clock — which we don't see — persistently ticking in the otherwise vacant interior of a residence, the loud but constant sound in the midst of silence sets the tone. With a fiery but contained temper, eyes welling with sadness, we find out that Rakan is prone to fits of rage. He is portrayed as only having a soft spot for his aging mother and his wife, all while dodging men from his past who haunt him. The film doesn't linger on the specifics — there are many gaping holes in the story. Instead, it centers on how the weight of reputation, judgment and suffocating silence shapes a person trying to begin again. It stars Mariam Abdulrahman and Meshal Almutairi and was produced by Ayman Alnaqeeb and Abdulrahman Altikhais. Abdulmohsen Aldhabaan, the director of 'Holes,' is an independent Saudi writer and filmmaker. He co-founded Talashi Films in 2008 and has directed several shorts and a TV series. Aldhabaan's debut feature film, 'Last Visit' (2019), gained international recognition, becoming the first Arab film selected for the East of the West Competition at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. It also earned the Jury Award at the Marrakech International Film Festival. With 'Holes,' Aldhabaan continues his signature style of quiet, impactful storytelling marked by restraint and emotional depth. In 'Holes,' Aldhabaan crafts a slow, thoughtful narrative. Rather than relying on heavy dialogue or exposition, the film builds its emotional landscape through atmosphere — solitary walks at night, avoiding tiny puddles in the alleyways, prolonged pauses and distant glances — to explore isolation and inner conflict. The pacing may feel slow to some, but it seems deliberate — offering space for reflection and tension to build. A persistent image in the film is a literal hole in the wall of Rakan and Reem's new home. It is never ignored but also never fixed, and that choice is telling. At one point, it gushes water as Reem tries to stuff pretty-colored cloths to stop it — to no avail. It floods their bedroom and the couple tries to contain it together. The hole becomes a powerful metaphor representing wounds that haven't healed, things left unresolved, and the parts of a life that remain open to scrutiny or misunderstanding. It defines the space around it — the hole is a character all its own.
Asharq Al-Awsat
01-06-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Film Commission to Showcase Cultural Power of Cinema at 1st European Edition of SXSW in London
The Saudi Film Commission is participating in the inaugural European edition of the SXSW Festival, taking place in London from June 2 to 7. SXSW is a prestigious global platform that brings together a select group of professionals and experts from various creative sectors through a variety of events, including panel discussions, musical and comedy performances, film and television screenings, exhibitions, technical competitions, and opportunities for professional development and partnership building. The Commission's participation includes screening a selection of short Saudi films under the 'Saudi Film Nights' initiative, with the aim of showcasing Saudi storytelling and empowering national talent for international audiences. The Commission is also organizing a panel session titled 'Empowering the Film Industry in Saudi Arabia: From Vision to Reality,' which will explore the role of cinema in shaping national identity, preserving cultural heritage, and supporting local content as a tool of soft power. Within the Saudi pavilion, the Commission is showcasing the Kingdom's cinematic achievements through an exhibition featuring films that have sold over 250,000 tickets at the box office, participated in prestigious international festivals, or won global awards. This underscores the growth of the Saudi film industry and its rising prominence on the international stage. The Saudi Film Commission is part of the joint Saudi pavilion, which includes other creative sector entities such as the Music Commission, the Culinary Arts Commission, the Fashion Commission, and MOCX. Together, they present a comprehensive view of the Kingdom's rich and diverse cultural landscape. This participation underscores the Film Commission's commitment to expanding Saudi Arabia's global presence, empowering creative talent, and positioning the Kingdom as a regional leader in the cinema industry.
