Saudi director Tawfik Alzaidi: ‘A filmmaker needs to understand the human soul’ 

Saudi director Tawfik Alzaidi: ‘A filmmaker needs to understand the human soul’ 
Saudi filmmaker Tawfik Alzaidi’s masterful directorial debut 'Norah' is the first Saudi film to be shot entirely in the Kingdom’s historic AlUla region. (Supplied)
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Updated 17 November 2023
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Saudi director Tawfik Alzaidi: ‘A filmmaker needs to understand the human soul’ 

Saudi director Tawfik Alzaidi: ‘A filmmaker needs to understand the human soul’ 
  • The Saudi filmmaker’s debut feature, ‘Norah,’ has the industry buzzing ahead of its premiere at the RSIFF 

DUBAI: What happens to a dream deferred? That is the central question of “Norah,” Saudi filmmaker Tawfik Alzaidi’s masterful directorial debut, and the first Saudi film to be shot entirely in the Kingdom’s historic AlUla region. The movie is set in 1996, decades before Saudi Arabia opened itself up to the world and began to directly support its now-thriving artistic community, and follows a teacher named Nader, whose ambitions of becoming an artist himself are drying up like a raisin in the sun.  

While Nader, played by Saudi actor Yaqoub Alfarhan (“Rashash,” “Scales”) knows that he may never achieve his dreams, and has taken an ill-fated job as a teacher in a rural town that will never accept him, he refuses to give up on the dreams of others. He takes a young girl named Norah (Maria Bahrawi) under his wing, helping her discover that there is more to life than the limited choices that have been placed in front of her, and that her own artistic expression, not to mention her own voice as a powerful woman, may someday be embraced by her country even if his may never be.  

Alzaidi’s own story is much like Nader’s, albeit with a happy ending. He, too, grew up in a time when the idea of becoming a professional artist felt like a fantasy. He, too, refused to give up on his passion despite the lack of opportunity. But at the 2023 edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, his dream will finally be achieved. After 20 years of waiting, he will premiere his first feature-length film at the country’s biggest celebration of the artform, thanks in part to the support of the Kingdom he loves so much.  

“To me, this is the only way I ever wanted this to happen. We talked about debuting the film at places like Venice or Toronto, but I refused. This is a film about the power of our artists, and so we had to embrace the power of our audience. We will show the world that we are a true force of nature. Audiences here waited so long to have great cinematic creations of our own, and our time is finally here,” Alzaidi tells Arab News.  

“When I’ve showed this to people in private screenings, they always say to me that this movie contains one thing above all else: the truth. I am so happy that our truth can now be told. Filmmaking brings together all the tools of artistic expression together, so I believe there is no better way to tell our stories,” he continues.  

Alzaidi’s own passion for storytelling was born the day that he saw George Miller’s 1980s classic “Mad Max II” when he was nine years old. He was never formally educated in filmmaking, nor did he feel he had to be, as all it really took was the dedicated study of masters like Stanley Kubrick, alongside a healthy number of cheesy B movies (the latter so he could “learn what not to do”). But first and foremost, great cinema is not born out of technical skill, it is about an understanding of narrative.  

“When I first watched ‘Mad Max,’ at that age, I didn’t know anything about filmmaking, but I experienced a whole range of feelings. I realized the significance of cinema in incorporating reality into our own creativity. I saw films as parallel universes that draw on reality as it passes through the artist. Then, as a teenager, I wanted to be a filmmaker,” AlZaidi explains. 

“A person who makes films needs to understand the human soul, and the power of story. Sure, they need to be educated, knowledgeable, and curious, but it’s also about their qualities as a person — their optimism and their pessimism, and their yearning to discover, and that is found everywhere in their lives. For me I gain just as much from watching a great film as I do reading a book by Murakami,” he continues.  

Alzaidi started the script for “Norah” in 2015, guided over the last eight years first and foremost by a desire to make a truly cinematic film, as everything else that he saw releasing was either an extension of the country’s YouTube culture, or its television.  

“All these other films are not on the cinematic level,” he says. Even from that first draft, he was writing with his male star in mind, though he had no idea how he would find the right Norah — a character named after, though not directly inspired by, his own mother. 

“I had been friends with Yaqoub for years, and we’d always discussed doing something big and  cinematic together, so there was never anyone else who was going to play Nader. Norah, however, was more difficult. I had an image of her in my mind, but I didn’t know if she existed. It was so difficult to find,” says Alzaidi. 

He interviewed actress after actress on Zoom, but no one matched the character’s spirit, or understood what drove her. 

“I gave each of them a questionnaire, and asked them to answer as Norah. No one could capture her, until we found 16-year-old Maria Bahrawi two weeks before shooting began in AlUla — a place I chose because it is a work of art by itself. She understood what it was like to want something more, and to not be sure if she would get it. When we auditioned, she had basically zero confidence, because she’d just been rejected for another role on the basis that she ‘couldn’t act.’ But I saw Norah’s spirit in her,” says Alzaidi. 

“Two weeks before we began filming, I cast her. Maria cried after we hung up, not because she got the part, but because she thought she hadn’t. Her mother told me the story later—it was because I hadn’t said one thing about the film, I had only asked her about her life. She literally couldn’t believe she had gotten it. But it was perhaps the best decision I made for this entire film. Maria is Norah,” he continues.

As many dreams as Alzaidi has for himself, with a new world opened up to him now as people rave about the film behind the scenes in the industry, he is most excited about young artists like Bahrawi. As he anxiously awaits the film’s first screening at RSIFF, he is thinking most about her and those like her, and the new world that is opening up to them. 

“I don’t think this is a film that’s trying to have one message — art is subjective, after all,” he says. “But when audiences of the next generation see this film, I want them to remember one thing: Believe in yourself. And if you have a voice, never stop fighting for it.” 


Hia Hub: Day 2 sees industry leaders discuss evolution of skin care, market opportunities

Hia Hub: Day 2 sees industry leaders discuss evolution of skin care, market opportunities
Updated 31 October 2024
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Hia Hub: Day 2 sees industry leaders discuss evolution of skin care, market opportunities

Hia Hub: Day 2 sees industry leaders discuss evolution of skin care, market opportunities
  • Patrick Chalhoub: Many consumers, particularly men, are not fully engaged in skin care routines
  • Session underscored a collective commitment to enhancing skin care knowledge and practices in the Middle East

RIYADH: Hia Hub, Saudi Arabia’s fashion, beauty and lifestyle conference, is set to run until Nov. 3 and Thursday’s lineup of talks featured a session called “The Current Landscape of Beauty and the Evolution of Skin Care” that saw panelists discuss the desire to grow the skin care segment of the regional beauty industry.

Moderated by Lynn Al-Khatib, vice president of communications at luxury goods retailer and distributor Chalhoub Group, the session featured the likes of Patrick Chalhoub, group president of the Chalhoub Group; Franck Marilly, chairman of Shiseido EMEA; Hasmik Panossian, regional general manager of Sephora Middle East; Laurent Duffier, managing director of L’Oreal Middle East; and Henk van der Mark, vice president of retail, commercial and business development at Estee Lauder Companies EMEA.

Patrick Chalhoub spoke of the responsibility that comes with being a market leader, saying: “As a market leader in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and Saudi Arabia, we carry a significant responsibility to grow the beauty market.”

Notably, while fragrances dominate the market, skin care usage lags behind at only 10 percent, compared to 35 percent globally and 50 percent in Asia.

This, according to the panelists, indicates a substantial opportunity for growth.

Chalhoub highlighted the potential growth area, saying: “Many consumers, particularly men, are not fully engaged in skin care routines, often using just one or two products daily.”

Marilly added to the discussion, reflecting on the cultural differences in skin care practices.

He said: “In Asia, skin care accounts for 50 percent of a $35 billion market. While the Middle East represents a smaller segment, we have ambitious goals.”

Marilly also underscored the importance of education, saying that “utilizing advanced technologies like skin analysis and DNA testing can greatly enhance consumer knowledge.”

The importance of technology was mirrored in the contribution of Duffier, who said that L’Oreal “harnesses scientific formulas and cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional results,” while referencing tools that analyze skin to suggest appropriate treatments.

He added: “The rising interest in cosmetic procedures among younger demographics indicates a strong demand for effective solutions.”

The importance of education and raising awareness about the power of skin care came up again and again.

Van der Mark said: “In Europe and Asia skin care is deeply embedded in cultural practices. In contrast, the Middle East shows a gap in skin care education and usage.”

He pointed out that with 60 percent of the population under 30 in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan, according to the International Monetary Fund, there was a significant potential to engage younger consumers who prioritized health and wellness.

Panossian spoke of the importance of understanding customer needs, adding: “With over 3,000 Sephora stores globally, we gather valuable feedback on products and ingredients … consumers are increasingly focused on ingredients, so we prioritize transparency and authenticity in our communications.”

The session underscored a collective commitment to enhancing skin care knowledge and practices in the Middle East, with industry leaders agreeing on the need for collaboration, education, and innovation to drive growth in the market.

As the beauty landscape continues to evolve, these efforts will be essential in shaping a more informed and engaged consumer base.


AlUla, Ferrandi Paris team up to open culinary training college

AlUla, Ferrandi Paris team up to open culinary training college
Updated 31 October 2024
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AlUla, Ferrandi Paris team up to open culinary training college

AlUla, Ferrandi Paris team up to open culinary training college
  • Ferrandi Paris AlUla Campus will open later this year, with an inaugural intake of 100 students

ALULA: The Royal Commission for AlUla has partnered with Ferrandi Paris to establish a culinary arts, tourism and hospitality training college in the city.

Announced on Thursday at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, the Ferrandi Paris AlUla Campus will open later this year, with an inaugural intake of 100 students.

It will offer three-year diploma programs in culinary arts, hospitality and tourism, taught by professionals from the Saudi Arabia-based Colleges of Excellence and following the Ferrandi Paris curriculum.

Open to high school graduates from AlUla and across the Kingdom, the program aims to equip students with vital skills to support the city’s growth as a global tourism and investment destination.

The partnership is in line with both the RCU’s broader goals of upskilling the AlUla community in sectors such as culture, heritage and tourism and Saudi Vision 2030, the commission said.

Ferrandi Paris is a prestigious culinary institution with more than a century of expertise in hospitality training. It said it would bring its hallmark high standards to the new college, enhancing AlUla’s educational and vocational offerings and fostering stronger Saudi-French cooperation.


Four Abu Dhabi restaurants retain Michelin stars in 2025 guide

Four Abu Dhabi restaurants retain Michelin stars in 2025 guide
The ceremony was held at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. (Arab News)
Updated 31 October 2024
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Four Abu Dhabi restaurants retain Michelin stars in 2025 guide

Four Abu Dhabi restaurants retain Michelin stars in 2025 guide

ABU DHABI : Four restaurants in Abu Dhabi on Thursday retained their previously awarded Michelin star in the guide’s third edition for the Emirati city.

The third edition of the ceremony celebrated the city’s vibrant culinary scene.

The ceremony, which was held at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, did not see any new stars awarded to the city’s restaurants.  

Instead, 99 Sushi Bar, Talea by Antonio Guida, Erth and Hakkasan all retained their Michelin stars.

Michelin star award criteria ranks the quality of ingredients, harmony of flavor, consistency over time and across the menu as well as the chef's personality in cooking.

Meanwhile, the new restaurants added to the Michelin Abu Dhabi guide were Bord’O by Nicolas Isnard, Broadway, Em Sherif Sea Caf, Mika and Ryba. These eateries are highlighted by Michelin, but not awarded stars.

The Michelin Guide Service Award was given to Mika, a restaurant in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island that blends Middle Eastern influences with a Mediterranean touch.

Bib Gourmand distinctions are awarded to restaurants that serve excellent food with moderate prices. The newly selected restaurants in this edition were Mika and Ryba.

Beirut Sur Mer, Almayass, Otoro, Tazal and Al-Mrzab retained their Bib Gourmand status.

 The Opening of The Year Award was given to Ryba, a seafood restaurant located in Mina, Abu Dhabi. Chef Faisal Mohamed Al-Harmoodi said his goal was to share Emirati food with the world as he accepted the accolade on stage.

The Michelin Young Chef Award was given to Yasmina Hayek from Em Sherif Sea Cafe, a fine dining Mediterranean and Lebanese restaurant in Al Maryah Island.

“Abu Dhabi offers a diverse dining scene that caters both to luxury travelers and food enthusiasts,” said Michelin’s Vice President of the Middle East and North Africa Harkesh Jaggi.


Bruna Biancardi explores Saudi Arabia ahead of Hia Hub appearance

Bruna Biancardi explores Saudi Arabia ahead of Hia Hub appearance
Updated 31 October 2024
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Bruna Biancardi explores Saudi Arabia ahead of Hia Hub appearance

Bruna Biancardi explores Saudi Arabia ahead of Hia Hub appearance

DUBAI: Brazilian influencer and model Bruna Biancardi arrived in Riyadh to attend the fourth edition of Hia Hub, Saudi Arabia’s conference on fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.

The model, who is soccer superstar Neymar's partner, shared an Instagram story to remind fans of her special appearance at the event on Nov. 3.

She also gave fans a sneak peek of her time in Riyadh, sharing an Instagram Story post from her dinner at Japanese eatery Myazu with her 11.7 million Instagram followers.

The model and footballer also seemed to spent time on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline, with Biancardi sharing images from a resort in the area.

Hia Hub, Saudi Arabia’s fashion, beauty and lifestyle conference, returned for its fourth edition in Riyadh’s JAX District and will run until Nov. 3.


Review: Apple TV’s ‘Before’ is a showcase for Billy Crystal

Review: Apple TV’s ‘Before’ is a showcase for Billy Crystal
Jacobi Jupe and Billy Crystal in 'Before' - Apple TV+
Updated 31 October 2024
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Review: Apple TV’s ‘Before’ is a showcase for Billy Crystal

Review: Apple TV’s ‘Before’ is a showcase for Billy Crystal
  • Creepy drama gives the famed comic a chance to show his serious side

LONDON: There are many unsettling things about Apple’s new psychological drama “Before”, but first among them is the sight of star Billy Crystal playing it absolutely straight — and not, as you might suspect, in a way that would enable the iconic funnyman to play it so seriously that it’s almost funny.

Here, Crystal is child psychologist Eli Adler, a gifted doctor struggling to come to terms with the recent suicide of his wife, Lynn. Not many laughs there, you’ll agree. While Eli is dealing with visions of Lynn, and recurring nightmares of hurling himself into an empty swimming pool, he finds a troubled young boy who won’t speak, scratching his hands bloody attempting to break into Eli’s house.

Eli’s colleague Gail (Sakina Jaffrey) has been trying to convince him to take on a new case — one of a troubled young boy who won’t speak and is plagued by horrifying visions. Before you can say “contrived coincidence,” we learn the two boys are, in fact, one and the same. What are the chances?

As Eli begins to investigate what led Noah (Jacobi Jupe) to stop speaking and start drawing creepy pictures of an abandoned barn — the same barn Eli finds in a picture among his wife’s things — the as-yet-unrevealed link between the two begins to solidify. With two episodes broadcast (of the 10 scheduled), the story behind whatever brought Eli and Noah together looks set to be eked out across the limited series, but writer/creator Sarah Thorp doesn’t hold out on audiences too much. So while there’s still a lot of hinting at seemingly unconnected elements — Noah’s visions of water leaking into his reality, his unnerving tendency to lapse into 17th-century Dutch, the often-sinister nature of Eli’s visions of Lynn — there’s enough dangled threads weaving together all of the above that viewers can feel like figuring out the mystery is achievable.

And, wonderfully, the cherry on the top is Crystal, demonstrating a gift for drama that few of his numerous roles ever hinted at. Eli is believably grief-stricken, world-weary and simply exhausted at the strangeness of what’s going on around him. Whatever the mystery at the heart of “Before” ends up being, the real gem here is the discovery of how effective a serious Billy Crystal can be.