Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival kicked off its third edition on Thursday with the world premiere of Dubai-based Iraqi director Yasir Al-Yasiri’s fantasy “HWJN”.
A glitzy red carpet featured appearances of Johnny Depp, Will Smith, Sharon Stone, Baz Luhrmann, Ranveer Singh, and a slew of Arabic stars.
Depp is at the festival with Maïwenn’s Cannes opener “Jeanne du Barry,” which was funded by the Red Sea Film Foundation. Maïwenn also made the trek to Jeddah.
Depp’s relationship with the foundation now continues with his directorial effort “Modi,” a biopic about Italian painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani also backed by the fund. The actor is scheduled to deliver an onstage conversation in the coming days.
The Israel-Hamas war that has caused cancellations of several movie celebrations across the Arab world has not prevented the event from forging ahead undeterred with its third edition running Nov. 30-Dec. 9 in Jeddah, on the Red Sea’s eastern shore.
Held in the auditorium of Jeddah’s Ritz Carlton hotel, the opening ceremony reaffirmed this year’s festival theme of “Your story, your festival” given that Jeddah, is also the city where “HWJN,” the opener, is set.
The fantasy is based on the YA novel by Saudi writer Ibraheem Abbas which was a local literary phenomenon due to its pioneering combination of Western sci-fi tropes and Arabic culture and folklore.
There are eight Saudi movies across the fest’s official selection, two of which are in the 17-title competition.
“Tonight we are privileged to be in the presence of remarkable talent not only from Saudi Arabia but [from] Africa, Asia, and around the world,” said Jomana Al Rashid, chairman of the Red Sea Film Festival’s foundation, in her opening remarks.
She noted that since its launch in 2021, the fund has supported over 250 films and was a backer of eight films in this year’s Cannes official selection. Al Rashid also pointed out that Saudi’s theatrical box office has doubled since the pandemic and is on track to reach the billion-dollar mark by 2030.
Echoing her remarks, Red Sea CEO Mohamed Al Turki said “The Saudi film industry is becoming a recognizable force, with the largest box office in the Middle East,” and noted that “it is evident that we are at the center of a cultural movement.”
The evening’s honorees were veteran Saudi writer and actor Abdullah Al-Sadhan, who has been a mainstay of Saudi entertainment through the hit comedy show “Tash ma Tash”; Diane Kruger, who received a lifetime achievement award from Fatih Akin, who directed Kruger in “In The Fade”; and Ranveer Singh who Stone handed his prize.
“One of my screen idols is in the audience – Johnny Depp,” said Singh. “Thank you for everything that you have taught me about the crafts as a master of transformation and versatility. I’m inspired by you.”
Also spotted in attendance: Sofia Vergara, Amina Khalil, Freida Pinto, Paz Vega, Ed Westwick, Amy Jackson, Lebanese actor, Nadine Nassib Njeim, Iran’s Mahlagha Jaberi, and Turkey’s Meryem Uzerli Meryem (“Magnificent Century”).
As the ceremony was coming to a close, Red Sea jury president Lurhmann took the stage.
“When I was asked to come and do this about six months ago, I had a very quiet trip here to Jeddah and to so many other beautiful places in this country,” he said.
“What I learned, and what was amazing to me, is that in just five years [since Saudi’s religion-related ban on movies was lifted] such a vibrant and exciting film culture is with us. What was really exciting was to meet with the young filmmakers and see their aspirations and their desire to be heard,” Lurhmann added.
“I’m here, more than anything, to see the remarkable voices and storytelling of the region.”
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