AFTER the successful showing of several Saudi films in the Kingdom, Saudi Cinema is going to Yemen from 24th February to 3rd March for a week's tour in three major cities to put on a show of Saudi cultural films in Yemen. The tour is organized by Rowad Media for media production and distribution. “The first movie that we are going to show will be the “Child Task”. It is based on a true story of a child who tries to save his nation when his father leaves him and his mother behind in search of work. Whether the child succeeds in his mission or not, can only be found out by watching the movie,” said Mamdouh Salem of Rawad Media, the Director and Producer of the film. “The method, passion, excitement, surprises and the involvement of the child are very important themes in the film,” he added. There are another nine films being showcased from which “Leftovers of Food” - directed by Mousa Al-Thunayan - is a story of human hardship in life, caused by changing circumstances. “Lailati Al-Badr” (Moon Night) by Mamdouh Salem is a documentary that presents pictures of celebrations, customs and ceremonies of the Hijazi traditions of Ramadan and Eid in Saudi Arabia. Youth-centric films like “Acquitted Dreams” by Basheer Al- Muhaishi - a film about an orphan boy and his childhood dreams - and “The Same Senses” - concerning young people facing social problems related to drugs and peer pressure - are also being showcased. “Red Sea” is a documentary about the Red sea and the natural life inhabiting it and it will also feature during this tour. “We want to promote our culture and talent; this is our mission and agenda: to project Saudi culture, heritage, tradition and Saudi artists and showcase it worldwide through films,” said Mr. Salem. “We have already taken our first step towards professional film making while meeting the requirements of Saudi society, including consideration of the values of tradition and customs,” he pointed out. The festival is going to be presented in three cities: Sana'a, Aden and Al-Mukalla, according to Mr. Salem. The first show will be presented on Wednesday in Sana'a with the film “Leftovers of Food”, “Lailati Al-Badr” (Moon Night), “Acquitted Dreams”, and “The Same Senses” at a small cultural center. Thursday's show will feature “Child Task” and “Red Sea.” “From there we will move to Aden where we will showcase five Saudi films at the University of Aden. “Spider Web” is about law and order while “What After Death” - by Jassim Aqeeli - is about life after death,” explained Mr. Salem. “Najran in Brief” by Bandar Alyami - a film about the traditions in Najran - and “Angels without Wings” by Mohammed Al-Basha will also feature at the University of Aden. “This will be a good opportunity to show Saudi films and culture in Yemen. It will open the doors of exchanging culture and traditions between these two friendly countries and will also make art and entertainment the basis of interaction amongst both people,” said Mamdouh Salem.
