Saudi Arabia: Public cinema after 30 years enthralls audience

JEDDAH – After a long wait of 30 years, public cinema is back in Saudi Arabia. Using the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, Rowad Media and Kawthar Foundation and Production screened a show for the public at the King Abdul Aziz Cultural Center in Abraq Al-Raghama, attended by a large number of interested men and women who watched the comedy film “Manahi.”

“We haven’t had public cinema in Saudi Arabia for 30 years,” said one viewer. “That’s a long time, and we have missed it,” he added.

The 9-day festival began on Dec. 10 and two shows are being screened daily in Jeddah and Taif.

“On the opening night there was a flood of media personnel which made it just like a red carpet Hollywood premier,” said Fayez Al-Malki, the film’s main actor.

“I hope that this film will be a real commercial breakthrough in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “I am fully satisfied with the Rotana production and hope the film will be appreciated in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and around the world,” he added.

“Manahi,” which takes its title from the name of the film’s hero, is a comedy with a touch of Saudi culture and tradition. Apart from Al-Malki, the film stars Syrian actress Mona Wassef, Kuwaiti actor Abdul Imam Abdullah and a number of young Saudi actors.

“This is the first film in the revival of Saudi cinema,” said Ayman Halawani the director general of Rotana Studios.

“We are pleased with this achievement and we thank the organizers for such an opportunity. Soon we will provide the public with films which are appropriate to the customs and traditions of our society,” he said.

“I want to thank Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah, for giving us an opportunity to show films in Saudi Arabia just as is being done in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Egypt,” said Mamdouh Salim, director of Rowad Media.

Thousands of viewers enjoyed the film on the first day with the audience laughing at every scene and singing songs with the hero. “We enjoyed the movie as there was entertainment with an important message,” said one man who brought his wife and children to see the movie.

“I think that the opposition to public cinema will not continue for long. We previously witnessed opposition to satellite channels in Saudi Arabia and a ban on mobile phones with cameras,” he said. Among those who came to see the film, young Saudis enjoyed the movie a lot.

“We have been looking forward to movies being shown publicly for a long time,” said Abdul Aziz, a 23-year-old Saudi.

“Instead we have had to travel to other countries to see films. We want movies in our own country that reflect our traditions and culture,” he said.

–By Fouzia Khan, Saudi Gazette