Saudi surrealist filmmaker Meshal Al-Jaser talks AlUla, tasheer, and ‘Gunpowder’ 

Saudi surrealist filmmaker Meshal Al-Jaser talks AlUla, tasheer, and ‘Gunpowder’ 
A still from 'Gunpowder.' (Supplied)
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Updated 01 April 2025
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Saudi surrealist filmmaker Meshal Al-Jaser talks AlUla, tasheer, and ‘Gunpowder’ 

Saudi surrealist filmmaker Meshal Al-Jaser talks AlUla, tasheer, and ‘Gunpowder’ 
  • The Saudi filmmaker’s viral music video explores otherworldly landscapes and traditional dance

ALULA: For the video of the latest track from his electronic music project Arabian Alien, Saudi filmmaker Meshal Al-Jaser headed to the heart of AlUla’s dramatic desert landscape. “Gunpowder” blends striking visuals with Al-Jaser’s signature surrealist touch. 

The track, created with his bandmate Mohammed Alhamdan, explores themes of heartbreak and disillusion, using the raw beauty of AlUla to amplify its message. 

“It’s about tragedy,” Al-Jaser tells Arab News. “It’s about someone who’s trying to cope with getting his heart broken.” 




Meshal Al-Jaser. (Supplied)

The video has racked up more than 1.7 million YouTube views in the first month of its release, thanks to its arresting visuals, especially of the Hejazi war dance, tasheer, which involves firing rifles into the ground as the wielder jumps into the air, sending a dramatic display of fire and gunpowder under their feet. 

“I was always fascinated by tasheer, in terms of visuals,” says Al-Jaser. “A lot of the tribes in Hejaz practice it. And, like many other Saudi dances, it really originates from trying to intimidate the enemy. With time, it became more of a celebratory dance that they do at weddings and such. 

“For years, I really wanted to capture it the right way, because it requires a lot of elements to come together,” he continues. “What’s specifically fascinating about it for me is really the precision and the skills of the people that do it. You have to jump at the right time, point in the right direction, shoot at the right time and land at the right time. It’s not a simple dance. It requires a lot of skill.” 




Shooting the video for 'Gunpowder' in AlUla. (Supplied)

“Gunpowder,” is an extension of Al-Jaser’s mission to capture the true essence of Saudi culture. “I don’t want to change anything in it or bend it around, as much as I just want to capture it in the way I view it,” he says. 

Shooting against the towering sandstone cliffs and vast desert landscape of AlUla was also a treat. “I was really mindblown. It’s one of the most unique locations in the world. It’s very diverse. Every piece of it feels like a whole different world. So, when (Film AlUla) approached me (to shoot a video there), I already knew it was going to look good because of the environment,” Al-Jaser says. “One of the biggest challenges was that we only had two days to shoot it. We were just running around to really try to capture all the essence of the place, because it’s so different.” 

From viral YouTube sketches to acclaimed short films, Al-Jaser’s work has challenged cultural taboos and reimagined Saudi identity through a satirical lens. His storytelling often explores the tension between tradition and modernity, mixing absurdity with sharp cultural commentary. 




Al-Jaser's Arabian Alien bandmate Mohamed Alhamdan. (Supplied)

In 2023, Al-Jaser released his debut feature film, “Naga,” which boldly set out his signature style — provocative, surreal and unafraid to push cultural boundaries. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, is a thriller-horror hybrid set in a dystopian desert landscape. It follows a rebellious young woman named Sarah, who sneaks out to attend a secret party in defiance of her conservative father’s rules. But when she misses her curfew and tries to return home, her night takes a bizarre and terrifying turn. 

“My ultimate dream was always to become a filmmaker and make feature films. So this was just a small step towards that,” Al-Jaser says. “It was very interesting. Anyone you know who has shot a feature film would tell you that it’s the hardest thing they’ve done, because, especially with the first film, you kind of want to do so much with so little, and it’s a whole different experience. 

“I know it’s all directing and storytelling, but, really, the amount of effort it takes to make a feature film as opposed to a short film makes it feel like a whole different medium. So, my experience was very challenging, but at the same time, I also feel really privileged to have done my first feature with Netflix. It was nice for them to really believe in me. And for it to go to Toronto… I’m so thankful for that.” 

Al-Jaser hopes to make his big-screen start as a filmmaker soon. “Hopefully I will make my cinematic debut, because ‘Naga’ was a streaming film,” he says. “I’ve never experienced my film in a cinema and that’s something I’m really looking forward to. 

“I really am attempting to do the best I can. Of course, I feel the weight and the responsibility, since I’m one of the first generation of Saudi filmmakers, but I also feel the privilege of that,” he continues. “If I can stay focused — which is easier said than done — then hopefully everything will fall in the right place.” 


Red Sea Film Foundation announces mentorship program with Spike Lee

Red Sea Film Foundation announces mentorship program with Spike Lee
Updated 22 April 2025
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Red Sea Film Foundation announces mentorship program with Spike Lee

Red Sea Film Foundation announces mentorship program with Spike Lee

DUBAI: Academy Award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee – known for films like “Malcolm X” and “BlacKkKlansman” – is teaming up with Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Film Foundation to launch the brand new Director’s Program.

The initiative will bring together 15 selected filmmakers for a “one-of-a-kind, intimate and inspiring mentoring experience” with Lee, according to an Instagram post from the foundation.

Taking place from April 30 to May 3, the program offers emerging directors from the Middle East and Asia a rare opportunity to learn from one of the most influential voices in cinema.

Applications are open until April 24.


Simone Biles wins Laureus award in Saudi design

Simone Biles wins Laureus award in Saudi design
Updated 22 April 2025
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Simone Biles wins Laureus award in Saudi design

Simone Biles wins Laureus award in Saudi design
  • Saudi Arabia’s Eman Al-Ajlan designed Biles’ dress
  • US gymnast won 3 gold, 1 silver at Paris Olympics

DUBAI: US gymnast Simone Biles took home the Sportswoman of the Year award at the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards this week, wearing a black gown by Saudi Arabia designer Eman Al-Ajlan.

The athlete opted for a strapless dress with a structured corset bodice featuring nude and black embroidered detailing. It included a voluminous peplum-style layer at the waist and a floor-length, sheer black skirt.

Simone Biles opted for a strapless dress with a structured corset bodice. (Getty Images)

She paired the look with simple diamond accessories and a black Tyler Ellis bag.

The American gymnast won three gold and a silver at the Paris Olympics.

Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis was named Sportsman of the Year. He had won a second Olympic gold medal and twice raised his own world record.

Al-Ajlan shared a photo on Instagram of Biles wearing her design, writing: “Congratulations @simonebiles on winning the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award.”

This is not the first time Al-Ajlan’s designs have appeared on major red carpets.

Earlier this year, at the 96th Academy Awards, US social media personality Kristy Sarah wore a gown by Al-Ajlan.

The dress was a strapless, form-fitting gown in a soft nude tone. It featured a structured, ruched bodice that extended into a mermaid-style silhouette.

The skirt and train were embellished with three-dimensional floral appliques in shades of lavender and lilac.

In 2023, she dressed US actress, dancer, and social media star Tessa Brooks in an all-black ensemble for the MusiCares Persons of the Year event in Los Angeles.

The following year, British model and TV presenter Leomie Anderson wore a structured look by Al-Ajlan at the 2024 amfAR Gala in Cannes, featuring a mini dress layered with a net-like skirt.

Al-Ajlan, who launched her label in 2007, is based in Riyadh and specializes in couture, bridal and pret-a-porter designs.

She has dressed several regional celebrities for international events, including Saudi Arabia actresses Mila Alzahrani and Dae Al-Hilali at the 2019 Venice Film Festival.

In 2024, Riyadh-based TV host Ajwa Aljoudi wore a mustard gown by the designer to the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards in Hollywood.


Japan’s Kaneko Masakazu explores memory, myth and nature in intimate Saudi Film Festival talk

Japan’s Kaneko Masakazu explores memory, myth and nature in intimate Saudi Film Festival talk
Updated 22 April 2025
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Japan’s Kaneko Masakazu explores memory, myth and nature in intimate Saudi Film Festival talk

Japan’s Kaneko Masakazu explores memory, myth and nature in intimate Saudi Film Festival talk

DHAHRAN: Japanese filmmaker Kaneko Masakazu — known for his cinematic exploration of nature, memory, and myth — captivated audiences at the 11th Saudi Film Festival (SFF) with an intimate and insightful conversation about the deep connections between culture and storytelling.

Masakazu was joined on stage by Abdulrahman Al-Qarzaee, a fluent Japanese speaker from Saudi Arabia who served as translator with cultural commentator Showg AlBarjas acting as moderator.

The conversation delved into how landscapes, folklore and cultural identity shape cinematic storytelling, facilitating a thoughtful exchange of ideas that spanned cultural boundaries.

During this session, Masakazu shared his approach to filmmaking, particularly in “River Returns” (2024), his third feature film. It was shown just days earlier at the SFF, which is set to wrap up on April 23.

The film, a stunning blend of fantasy and drama, takes place in a rural Japanese village and tells the story of a young boy’s perilous journey to a seemingly haunted body of water. There, he hopes to calm the grief-stricken spirit responsible for devastating floods that have plagued the village. The story is set during the 1958 typhoon, which serves as a backdrop to the boy’s journey.

Masakazu revealed how his work has always been centered on the relationship between humans and nature.

“My work deals with the relationship between nature and humans as its central theme. It tells these stories in a poetic, almost mythical style,” he said.

In “River Returns,” the boy’s journey to the mountain pool is not just a physical one, but a spiritual and emotional quest, too.

The film captures how natural disasters can be viewed as manifestations of spiritual unrest, a concept in Japanese folklore that seemed to resonate with Saudi audiences.

The film’s breathtaking cinematography beautifully contrasts the serene landscapes with the looming, furiously violent storm, underscoring the dynamic between the gentle and the destructive forces of nature.

“The meaning of the narrative is ultimately left to the viewer — whether they experience sadness, love or the echo of an ancient tale,” Masakazu shared. “In the end, it becomes a transmission of culture, a passing down of folklore, all leading back to a shared emotional core. At the same time, I’m interested in how people respond — how a non-Japanese audience might engage with it.”


Quirky abaya brands reveal the changing face of Saudi fashion

Quirky abaya brands reveal the changing face of Saudi fashion
Updated 22 April 2025
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Quirky abaya brands reveal the changing face of Saudi fashion

Quirky abaya brands reveal the changing face of Saudi fashion
  • Designers repurpose traditional looks to highlight individuality
  • Saudi girls, women express themselves, while retaining modesty, tradition

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s streets are increasingly seeing women dressed in vibrant and daring colors, patterns and fabrics as abaya designers make more creative choices.

Once considered a garment to hide behind, abayas have become a form of artistic beauty that Saudi girls and women use to express themselves, while retaining modesty and tradition.

Today there is an influx of brands specializing in quirkier designs whose aim is to make women feel both comfortable and unique in their clothing choices.

Reem Al-Bayyat, founder of Mad Since 1982 (Instagram: madsince1982), told Arab News that “every piece tells a story; no two look the same.”

Mad Since 1982 weaves together different pieces of fabric printed with Al-Bayyat’s illustrations. As a collage artist, she never combines the same fabrics in the same way twice.

“It is a story, but also a risk and an adventure, whether things will work out or not … all my friends ask me how I dare to put the fabrics together in this way,” she said.

With a passion for ready-to-wear, Al-Bayyat’s goal is to make wearable, everyday pieces more beautiful and elegant.

“I want it to be close to the hearts of the people wearing it, I want them to feel special.

“That is how I was inspired to created Hadaweh.”

Hadaweh, Mad Since 1982’s recent modest wear creation, is an original clothing concept that can be worn in multiple ways for different occasions.

Al-Bayyat has been working for years with handmade block printing companies in India that use natural colors and fabrics, and occasionally imports fabrics with patterns she creates herself.

“My next step is having my own printing lab in my atelier,” she said.

Al-Bayyat, a former professional photographer who focused on fashion, draws inspiration from both local and international cultures.

“I have a lot of freedom when I’m working without any fear,” she said.

Another Saudi abaya brand exhibiting similar principles of individuality is Lamya’s Abayas (Instagram: lamya.abayas), founded by Lamya Al-Sarra.

Al-Sarra’s abayas are colorful and full of life, designed to reflect the personality and confidence of the women wearing them.

“I would describe Lamya’s Abayas as timeless, elegant, and effortlessly stylish. Each piece is designed to make a statement, while still feeling versatile and wearable,” she said.

“I love playing with bold colors, interesting cuts, and unexpected details that set each design apart.”

As a child, Al-Sarra spent her time sketching dresses and different looks in a notebook, and although that dream did not follow her through university, she found herself returning to her roots when the idea of starting her own abaya brand came to fruition.

Unimpressed with the designs available in stores, Al-Sarra decided to create her own.

“I kept designing pieces that felt true to me, and soon enough, people started stopping me to ask where my abayas were from. I’d tell them, ‘It’s mine. I designed it.’”

The hobby that she practiced for friends and family quickly became a full-fledged business.

Al-Sarra favors self-expression when choosing colors and designs, especially through vibrant summer tones.

The garments are meant to spark joy and represent individuality, helping people feel confident in their clothing.

“I believe your surroundings shouldn’t limit how you express yourself. Whether you’re wearing something bold, trendy, or completely unique, it should always reflect you,” she said.

Al-Sarra uses a variety of different fabrics for different looks and occasions — linen, for example, for light and breathable wear in summer, richer textures like velvet or tweed in winter, and taffeta and katan for more formal or structured looks.

Celebrating both family and sustainability, Moja Majka (Instagram: mojamajka) is a slow fashion abaya brand founded by a mother and daughter that is built on values of authenticity, as well as cultural and natural connection.

Sarah Basaad and her mother Sureyya Barli launched Moja Majka in 2012 to answer their need for more colorful garments that use organic and airy fabrics.

“It is an extension of our characters,” Basaad said.

Going for timeless rather than trendy, Moja Majka takes inspiration from both Turkish and Saudi cultures, since Barli is of Turkish descent.

The brand’s textiles are completely organic linens, cottons, and silks, some woven in Turkiye.

“We support local artisans and artisanal work,” Basaad said.

The brand is focused on bringing back long-forgotten artisanal work. “We collect antique handcrafted pieces and fabrics that are no longer able to be reproduced in our time, she said.

“Our kaftans are not a victim of trends, but a classic to pass onto your loved ones.”


Thousands rock at music shows in Jeddah after F1

Thousands rock at music shows in Jeddah after F1
Updated 22 April 2025
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Thousands rock at music shows in Jeddah after F1

Thousands rock at music shows in Jeddah after F1
  • Jennifer Lopez, Usher lit up the stage on Saturday and Sunday
  • This is cultural tourism via entertainment, says MDLBEAST CEO

JEDDAH: The past two days were filled with high-speed thrills and electrifying musical performances as the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025 took over the city.

The after-race concerts, held at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, were headlined by global music icons Jennifer Lopez and Usher, who lit up the stage on Saturday and Sunday night.

The party began right after a thrilling qualifying race, when Lopez stepped on stage. Wearing a dazzling black skintight catsuit, the 55-year-old icon made a bold and unforgettable entrance for an adoring crowd.

From the opening beats of “Get Right” to the final fireworks of “On the Floor,” Lopez delivered a show packed with powerhouse vocals, explosive choreography, and pure star energy.

The Bronx-born singer, who has sold over 80 million records and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, treated fans to a string of hits including “Jenny from the Block,” “Ain’t It Funny,” “I’m Real,” and “Love Don’t Cost a Thing.”

“This is an incredible place with an incredible backdrop for F1,” Lopez told the crowd, glowing with excitement. “It feels good to be back out here. I love the energy here. I am feeling myself a little bit here.”

In an emotional moment, the singer told the crowd: “Love is feeling safe, love is secured, that’s what love is.”

JLo graced the stage in a series of stunning outfits, changing into a red suit, followed by a golden one, and finishing the show in pink.

The audience responded with roaring applause, with many in tears.

“JLo brought the energy, the heart, and the glam,” said Reem Al-Sharif, a 29-year-old from Jeddah. “When she talked about love, I really felt that. She’s not just a performer, she’s a storyteller.”

Ramadan Al-Haratani, CEO of MDLBEAST, said: “This is what cultural tourism through entertainment looks like. The music doesn’t just support the race weekend, it transforms it.”

The following night, Usher, the king of smooth R&B, delivered a thrilling performance that brought the Grand Prix to a stylish and electrifying close.

Dressed in an edgy all-black ensemble, Usher commanded the stage with his signature swagger.

The Grammy-winning artist took fans on a journey through two decades of hits, from the crowd-hyping “Yeah!” to slow jams including “Nice & Slow,” “U Got It Bad,” and “My Boo.”

His charisma, vocals, and iconic dance moves had fans on their feet all night.

“This was my first time seeing Usher live, and it was worth every second,” said Talal Saleh, another concertgoer. “His connection with the crowd, the performance, everything was perfect. He even brought some nostalgic 2000s magic to Jeddah.”

Lina Al-Mansour, who attended both concerts, said: “The entire experience felt like a music festival and a Formula 1 race rolled into one. It was world-class entertainment right here in Jeddah.

“I never imagined seeing JLo and Usher in my hometown.”

The concerts also featured supporting acts including Major Lazer and Peggy Gou, who kept the crowd hyped between the headliners.