Saudi Arabia will be represented by six films at the Middle East Film Festival, starting Saturday in Abu Dhabi. The event, scheduled to conclude October 19, will feature cinematic contributions from the Middle East and Europe, with the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia being the most prominent representatives from the Gulf. Mamdouh Salem, of Rowad Media Productions and director of the 3rd Jeddah Film Festival, describes the developments seen in Saudi Arabia cinematic production over recent years as boding well for the future. “Saudi Arabian cinema has become well-known through various film festivals, and our filmmakers are creating a Saudi movie industry. We are seeing the birth of a new generation in the film industry presenting the identity of Saudi Arabia to the world,” Salem said. “Saudi filmmakers are talented enough to deserve an international presence,” Salem continued, “and their representation of the Kingdom is an honor, promoting the civilization and cultural development of Saudi society.” Salem brings to the Abu Dhabi festival his film, “Child Adventure”, featuring Gulf actress Haifa Hussein and child actor Ali Al- Batal. “In the film I try to excite and surprise,” he says. Salem describes all Saudi participants as “highly talented young Saudis, most of whom won awards at the 3rd Jeddah Film Festival last summer.” “Mohammd Hilal is a very talented young man who received the award for Best Photography , Mansour Badran received critical acclaim, and Jassim Aqili won the award for Best Cartoon.” The Saudi-made films featuring at the Middle East Film Festival are: “Child Adventure”, a 18-minute film by Mamduh Salem, based on the story of a child who tries to save his nation when his father leaves him and his mother in search of work. “Downtown Adventure”, an hour-length film by Mohammed Hilal, is about a group of talented friends who have lived together since childhood and leave everything to save their homeland and property. “English”, a 7-minute comedy by Mansour Badran, pokes fun at Arabs' different accents when speaking English. “Adventures of Namol”, a 19-minute cartoon by Mohammed Al-Obeid Mehdi, focuses on the behavior of young children through an 8-year-old boy living with his parents in a small house on an island. “After ashes, what?” and “The Dreams of Life” are two animated shorts by Jassim Al-Aqili. __
