On the 13th, the German Consulate opened its Bella Martha (2001) with Mamdouh Salem’s documentary short, Jeddah: Where Cultures and Civilizations Meet (2010). The eight-minute short tells the story of five men of different cultural backgrounds and strata in society, and their common love for Jeddah. Referencing the tragic events of Jeddah’s recurrent floods, the men’s sense of belonging and sentiment toward the city is further intensified with their recalling of selfless acts of heroism and civic concern.
“I am very glad that we captured that opportunity this year for the first time by collaborating with the Saudi filmmaker, Mamdouh Salem, in a Saudi-German movie night on the 13th of April,” stated Christian Strob, cultural attaché, German Consulate General. “Culture incentives, such as the European Film Festival, are a great opportunity to boost cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and Europe.”
But the cultural bridging didn’t stop at the films flashing on the screen. “We are very happy about the evening’s success in bringing together European and Arab audiences,” stated Strob. “It was a delight seeing people from various backgrounds coming together and enjoying cinema in an open-minded atmosphere.”
Strob went on to say that such collaborations are not only improving the awareness of the plurality of the two cultures, but are also the very starting points of cross-cultural exchange. “The film industry in Europe has a long history, especially in avant garde and experimental film making, [while] the Saudi film business is young and dynamic, but still in its beginning,” he continued. “Through exchange, Saudi filmmakers might profit from that long standing tradition of European filmmaking whereas the young Saudi filmmakers might provide for new ideas and points of view.”
Salem mirrored Strob’s sentiments, stating that European Film Festival presented a great opportunity to get better familiarized with European cinematic experiences and take advantage of their long experience in the field. Simultaneously, the Festival acts as a means to expose Saudi talent in a country that has banned commercial movie theaters. “The Saudi cinema is ready to attend and participate in any forum of regional and international films, so that the European community is able to see Saudi cinema, which in turn reflects the cultural and heritage of Saudi Arabia," stated the director.
He said that while cinema in Saudi Arabia is still in its infancy, he aspires to create movies that act as an effective, proactive tool for change and the modernization of Saudi society, while also presenting a more accurate picture of our concerns and our stories.
Salem explained that his film highlights some of the main personalities involved in the rescue of bystanders caught in the torrential downpour and consequential floods. “The film depicts the participation in volunteerism, that seemed lacking in the media,” he stated. “In my film, we reveal the personal retelling of the most important personalities, like the Pakistani man who saved more than 14 lives, but died in his attempt to save the 15th. This is a picture of great sacrifice and altruism.”
Salem revealed that the film took a week to shoot and they were able to get their hands on archive footage of the floods, which helped them in the selection of which nationalities to feature.
Commenting on the Saudi film industry, Salem stated: “We have talent, but need training and practical application in addition to financial support so that we can make feature films and documentaries.”
When asked why he chose to produce a documentary, rather than a feature film, the young filmmaker stated that the presence of documentaries on Saudi Arabia are limited due to the lack of funding and “movies about Saudi Arabia never seem to reflect its true image.”
The main message of his film is to show, through the narratives, how the “heart of Jeddah lies in its diversity of cultures and civilizations,” revealed Salem. “It’s about the link between the individual and his love for Jeddah, as well as the connection between the individual and his own family.”
