JEDDAH: A Saudi filmmaker has produced a short movie highlighting the recent attacks by Daesh members on five mosques in the Kingdom, which resulted in the injury and death of several people.
The four-minute production, entitled “Raana Alaa Goloubhem” or “Their Stained Hearts,” was directed by Rakan Al-Harbi with a modest budget of only $1,100, according to a report in a local publication on Monday.
Al-Harbi’s story begins in a museum set up specifically to display the bodies of the suicide bombers. When a visitor arrives, the museum’s supervisor takes him on a tour, describing what carnage each person had wrought.
The visitor travels back in time to the scene of one attack, where he speaks with a bomber, who initially appears confident about his decision, hesitant as he is about to detonate his explosives, and then remorseful after he carries out the bombing.
Al-Harbi said he used this method to convey to viewers the horrific nature of the attacks, and for viewers to empathize with the victims. “The film was compressed into four minutes because I wanted to deliver an intense message. We could have extended it to 20 minutes, but you really only need 3 to 7 minutes. The rest is fluff,” he said.
He said there have been many dramas about the Daesh terrorist group produced in the Gulf region, but his movie was different because of the way the message was delivered. The film is based on a story written by Majid Al-Salem. It has been entered along with 70 other productions into a contest organized by the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts in Dammam.
Saudi short film carries an anti-terror message
Saudi short film carries an anti-terror message
Ithra will bring Spain to life for 2-week cultural celebration
- Ithra Cultural Days will unfold across the plaza, museum, theater, lush garden, library, idea lab, cinema, children’s museum, energy exhibit and Ithra tower
DHAHRAN: Visitors to the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) can enjoy a taste of Spanish culture from Jan. 12-31.
Under the banner “Live Spain,” spaces at Ithra will be transformed to give a glimpse of life in this vibrant European country.
Ithra Cultural Days will unfold across the plaza, museum, theater, lush garden, library, idea lab, cinema, children’s museum, energy exhibit and Ithra tower, with exhibitions dedicated to Spanish photography, fashion and sports. There will also be Spanish cuisine and interactive installations exploring historical and linguistic connections between Arab and Spanish traditions.
There will be live performances across various stages, with a production of “Carmen” among the highlights.
“Cultural exchange is a core part of Ithra’s approach to programming. Celebrating Spain’s culture and history reflects this focus, particularly as this year’s Cultural Days take on a distinctive character by exploring Spain’s cultural heritage,” Noura Alzamil, program manager at Ithra, said.
“Visitors to Ithra will experience an exciting program in every sense, given the scale and variety of events designed to appeal to all tastes and interests.”
Cinema showings will feature Spanish short and feature films, accompanied by post-screening discussions to provide additional cultural context, while talks and sessions in the idea lab and library will explore architecture, literature and creative practice.
Hands-on workshops will invite visitors to engage directly with Spanish crafts and creative traditions, from visual arts and design to food-related practices.
A dedicated program for children and youth will run alongside with storytelling, creative workshops and performances among the attractions. Food and market experiences in Ithra’s public spaces will reflect the important social role played in the country by food.
Ithra Cultural Days present international cultures through immersive, public-facing experiences. This year’s focus on Spain follows the success of last year’s Japan edition, which welcomed more than 200,000 visitors in just two weeks.
