JEDDAH: Following on the heels of “Kaala” — the first Hindi film to be successfully screened in the Kingdom — Majid Al-Futtaim on Thursday held the first screening of an Egyptian film in Saudi Arabia with the action comedy hit, “El Badla.”
Clocking a screen time of 100 minutes and directed by Tamer Hosny, the film’s plot revolves around a college student — played by Hosny himself — who attends a costume party dressed as a police officer. Hosny soon finds himself in a tricky situation after his plan backfires and he becomes the subject of a criminal investigation for false impersonation.
Cameron Mitchell, CEO of Majid Al-Futtaim Cinemas, said that Egypt’s rich history of producing quality entertainment has led to a high demand for Egyptian films, not only in Saudi Arabia but across the region as well.
“We are proud to be the first operator that brings Egyptian content to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and we will continue to offer a range of movies that appeal to a variety of cultures that we cater to,” Mitchell said.
The Kingdom lifted a decades-long ban on screening films by opening its first cinema on April 18.
Hosny’s El Badla marks a first for Egyptian cinema in Saudi Arabia
Hosny’s El Badla marks a first for Egyptian cinema in Saudi Arabia
Jessica Alba hails AlUla during Saudi Arabia visit
- On her Instagram profile, Alba described AlUla as “pure magic, calm, protected, deeply serene”
LONDON: Hollywood star Jessica Alba shared her admiration for AlUla during a recent visit to Saudi Arabia, sharing a video of the ancient desert destination on her social media channels.
The short clip, posted Dec. 10, showed the “Fantastic Four” star spinning on the spot with the famous rock formations in the background.
On her Instagram profile, she described AlUla as “pure magic, calm, protected, deeply serene,” adding: “Every direction carried the weight and beauty of ancient history - like wandering through a living museum.”
The actress was in the Kingdom earlier this month to attend the Red Sea International Film Festival.
The actress was among a host of global stars who attended the the fifth edition of the RSlFF, which kicked off on Dec. 4 with a glittering red-carpet ceremony at Culture Square, the festival’s open-air hub.
Alba joined an A-list lineup that included the likes of Adrien Brody, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kirsten Dunst, Vin Diesel, Queen Latifah, Dakota Johnson, Ana de Armas, Riz Ahmed, Naomie Harris and Uma Thurman, alongside Saudi, regional stars and international film legends.
The event ran until Dec. 13 and showcased more than 100 films from over 50 countries, with its mission to bridge East and West while spotlighting voices from the Middle East and Africa.
During her visit to the Kingdom, Alba also shared several “get ready with me” clips and behind-the-scenes shots from the red carpet ceremony.
Alba’s visit comes as Saudi Arabia continues to attract global creatives and cultural figures, with AlUla increasingly positioned as a must-visit destination for international visitors as well as a shooting location for some of Hollywood’s biggest studios.
