JEDDAH — Short Saudi films have recently been successful in attracting many people to cinemas in Senegal where seven such films are currently being shown as part of a cultural event organized by the Ministry of Culture and Information.
“People in other countries look forward to watching Saudi movies as they are eager to know more about the Kingdom,” said Mamdouh Salem, Saudi director and supervisor of cinema shows at the Ministry of Culture and Information.
“They have the impression that Saudi Arabia is a closed country with close-minded people. Since films are the identities of societies, people can learn more about society through them,” the director said.
The films, which are almost 20 minutes long, include Laylat Al-Badr (The Moon Night) directed by Salem, Arous Al-Athaar wal Jebal (Bride of Ruins and Mountains) by Faisal Al-Otaibi, Tamarod (Rebellion) by Abdulaziz Al-Nujaim, Malaika bela Ajneha (Angels Without Wings) by Mohammed Al-Basha, Shakwa Al-Ard (Soil Complaint) by Bashir Al-Muhaishi, Etar (Frame) by Abdullah Al-Ayyaf, and Mujarrad Yaum (Just a Day) by Nawwaf Al-Mhanna.
The films Angels Without Wings and Soil Complaint are participating in the international event for the first time.
“My film, The Moon Night, shows that the Hijazi culture is the most authentic and colorful due to it mixing with different cultures in Haj and Umrah,” said Salem. “It talks about traditions in Shaban and Ramadan, the two Eids, marriage traditions and other things.”
He added that it is only a small segment of society that usually finds short films interesting and that people prefer to watch films that have particular storylines and famous actors.
Salem said short films and documentaries include symbols that refer to concepts, and that they are constructed in two ways. The first focuses on correcting the wrong stereotypes and common thoughts about society. Others tackle stories in a bold way focusing on wrong practices in society. “Those seven films are of the first type. Their main purpose is to introduce people to Saudi Arabia,” he said.
