The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday unveiled the lineup of films for its Arab Spectacular section, which celebrates “the rich, diverse fabric of Arab storytelling.”
This year’s selection “highlights five remarkable films hailing from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Algeria, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to elevating Arab cinematic narratives on a global stage,” organizers said. “Each film in the lineup offers a unique lens through which audiences can engage with the themes of identity, resilience, and the complexities of modern life, fostering a deeper understanding of the region’s rich narratives and cinematic artistry.”
The movies include the story of a Saudi girl and her Sudanese driver who form a friendship, a look at a Bedouin family’s life in the middle of the desert, and the journey of a couple from rural Egypt who immigrate to New York in search of a cure for their infertility.
Said Antoine Khalife, director of Arab programs & film classics for the RSIFF: “We know that our stories and the quality of the way we tell them deserve a place alongside other international films, which is why we are working hard to support and nurture our region’s filmmakers, providing them with a prestigious platform to present their work to international audiences, and facilitating networking opportunities with industry leaders.”
Some of the Arab Spectacular films are international co-productions, highlighting “the significance of collaboration in bringing our stories to life,” Khalife said.
Here is a look at the full lineup of this year’ Arab Spectular program at the RSIFF.
Abdo & Saneya directed by Omar BakryUSA, EgyptIn search of a cure for their infertility, a couple from rural Egypt immigrates to New York without any notion of American life. Their love helps them defy impossible odds; surviving the renegade homeless world and conquering the hellish kitchens of the city’s restaurant business.
Front Row directed by Merzak AllouacheAlgeria, France, Saudi ArabiaThe Bouderbalas arrive early at the beach to be seated close to the water, in the front row, and enjoy a leisurely day. But nothing will happen as planned.
Hobal directed by Abdulaziz AlshlaheiSaudi ArabiaA Bedouin family faces its fate in isolation in the middle of the desert, under the strict strictness that forbids them to leave it, and the danger of an infectious disease that causes the death of one of its members.
Lail Nahar by Abdulaziz AlmuzainiSaudi ArabiaWhen a renowned opera singer faces backlash after a viral accusation of racism, he stuns the public by announcing plans to marry a black woman—only to scramble for a bride and find an unexpected connection with Layl, a wedding singer, in a journey that blurs the lines between love, redemption, and music.
My Driver and I directed by Ahd KamelSaudi ArabiaIn ’80s and ’90s Jeddah, a Saudi girl and her Sudanese driver form an unlikely friendship which is tested when she starts to take the wheel.
