As a gamer with a passion for cinema and a soft spot for history, I am absolutely thrilled about this year’s Red Sea International Film Festival lineup! The fusion of Saudi voices, international films, and series promises an incredible journey through art, creativity, and storytelling.
At its fourth edition in December, the Red Sea International Film Festival revealed the schedules for its New Vision and Series categories, showcasing fresh Saudi perspectives, the Vatican, a fresh Zorro series starring Jean Dujardin from The Artist, an English historian, an exploration of popular Turkish telenovelas, and plenty of artistic content. “This year sees Saudi productions featured in New Vision for the first time, emphasizing the dynamic growth of local and regional cinematic expression,” festival organizers noted, “while the Series strand spotlights emerging talents on television screens with four brand-new international series.
The 2024 RSIFF is scheduled from December 5th to the 14th in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, following a dazzling 2023 event featuring many prominent stars.
Nearly all (or around 80%) of the five films in the Red Sea: New Vision category are homegrown Saudi productions. This year, these local stories share the spotlight with a variety of international films and shows, reflecting the Kingdom’s artistic resurgence as well as showcasing global creativity and advancement, according to the organizers.
As a gaming enthusiast with an insatiable curiosity about art, I’m deeply fascinated by the rich tapestry of creative expressions in Saudi Arabia. From delving into the artistic journey of a Jeddah artist, to unraveling the intriguing connection between Saudi artists and the art scene of Italy and the Vatican, I find myself captivated.
Simultaneously, a collaborative production within the program is portrayed as “a documentary that jumps between reminiscence and aspiration, with parkour serving as a symbol representing resilience amidst an unpredictable tomorrow.
Antoine Khalife, director of Arab programs and film classics at the fest, remarked that Saudi Arabia’s dynamic art scene is vividly portrayed in numerous movies, showcasing the vitality, innovation, and drive of its artists. Through strokes of fervor and sculptures of daring imagination, Saudi directors breathe life into tales about painters, sculptors, and other artistic trailblazers who have molded the nation’s artistic terrain. We harbor a unique fondness for the New Vision section, which honors pioneering filmmakers whose works straddle the line between documentary and fiction. These films delve deeply into real-life stories with an empathetic touch, providing fresh and intellectually stimulating viewpoints.
In the upcoming Red Sea Series program, organizers have planned to showcase four fresh international TV productions that span various genres such as horror and adventure.
Kaleem Aftab, the international programming director for RSIFF, commented that this year’s selections demonstrate how television is an exceptional platform for narrating histories over a long period and presenting episodic tales. Just like cinema, TV is now adopting various formats and genres, notably horror. This shift in storytelling is primarily driven by the audience’s preferences, and this year’s collection features intriguing documentaries, chilling ghost stories, and thrilling adventures at sea.
In this collection, you’ll find Jean Baptiste Saurel’s production titled “Zorro,” a gripping tale set in Los Angeles at the dawn of the 19th century, as well as “Lost Worlds With Bettany Hughes: The Nabateans,” where the esteemed British historian delves into the captivating history of the enigmatic Nabatean civilization, an ancient Arab tribe.
Check out the full lineups for the RSIFF’s New Vision and Series strands below.
Red Sea: New Vision
Exploring the Rich Heritage of the Roshans – A Film Directed by Mohammed Ous
In the movie KEMOKAZI, helmed by Abdulrahman Batawie, we follow Jeddah-based artist Kemokazi as he grapples – at times physically – with his role and identity as a creative individual.
OTHMAN IN THE VATICAN, helmed by Yasir Bin Ghanem
Saudi Arabia
Renowned Saudi artist Othman Al-Khozaim ponders over his lifelong bond with Italy’s artistic essence.
UNDER THE RADIANCE, directed by Ryan Al Bishri
Saudi Arabia
The fervor and extensive understanding of a Saudi prince – H.H Prince Faisal bin Abdullah – spearheaded the establishment of the Layan Cultural Foundation, an organization dedicated to safeguarding Saudi Arabia’s artistic legacy for posterity.
YALLA PARKOUR, helmed by Areeb Zuaiter
Originating from Sweden, Palestine, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia
Areeb pursues a memory that strengthens her feelings of connection, only to cross paths with Ahmad, a parkour athlete residing in Gaza. Their odyssey entangles conflicting desires as nostalgia clashes with ambition, and the burden of her past collides with an unpredictable future.
Red Sea: Series
“The Phantom Express,” helmed by Se-Woong Tak
“Journey Through Hidden Histories with Bettany Hughes: The Nabataeans,” a production directed by Jim Greayer
Filmed in United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Greece and Jordan
Bettany Hughes embarks on an enlightening expedition, commencing at AlUla in Saudi Arabia, to unearth the captivating tales of the Nabatean civilization.
The Film “TALES ON BANKS OF THE BOSPHORUS”, helmed by Zeina Sfeir, with concept and research spearheaded by Bissan Tay
Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey
In a span of merely 10 years, Turkish soap operas, or “telenovelas”, have skyrocketed into a global phenomenon. What’s the magic behind this popularity surge?
In the movie titled ZORRO, helmed by Jean Baptiste Saurel and produced in both Belgium and France, it’s Don Diego de la Vega’s turn as the mayor of Los Angeles. However, when his town is under threat, he must resurface as his alter ego, Zorro, to save the day. The lead role is played by Jean Dujardin.
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2024-10-30 14:25