Hallelujah: A Saudi Film!

My country is unique, and we like to stay that way. One example of our exclusivity and special status is that we don’t have any cinemas and no film industry. Who needs those anyways? Really, why would you need a movie industry when you can enjoy a daily reminiscent of motion picture encounters with people around you? If you think about it, we are already part of a surreal movie-like pseudo-existence.

However, things do actually change and it seems that, sadly, we cannot preserve our uniqueness forever. It is reported that the first full-length Saudi produced movie will be out this summer. The film, called “Keif al-Hal” (How Are You?) is a comedy-drama which embodies the tension between moderates and religious extremists and the struggle to embrace globalization while retaining Islamic values. Great! A Saudi movie with a sizzling topic.

The first female Saudi film director, Haifaa Al-Mansour, is the movie’s associate producer. Mansour has generated controversy last year with her documentary Nisaa bila Dhil (Women Without Shadow) which discusses Saudi women’s lives and struggles. So this should be a warning sign for the clerics and the conservatives among us, a movie, a woman co-producer and a hot topic, this is all too much to handle in one sitting.

But hold your horses, don’t start making toasts and knocking those Arabic Java glasses together yet, the film will actually not be shown in Saudi Arabia. Oh I forgot, in order to show a movie you need a movie theater. And you know, the conservative elite won’t allow it. At least for now.

Comments

[Jenn]

Wow, I didn't know a country as wealthy as Saudi Arabia hadn't put out any feature films. That's good. Hope you like it.

[Ricardo]

I truly hope that this film at least brings about discussion within Saudi Arabia about getting a movie theater. At best I hope it helps the conservative elite loosen up a bit. "How are you" sounds like it could be a very important film. I hope it has an impact.

BTW, McDonalds is truly America's worst export ever. It not for them it would be our cars.