RIYADH: The Kingdom needs to have cinemas, a senior official has said. But there should be a tight control over the films shown in the cinemas, Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Iyad, Mayor of Riyadh and Chairman of Tourism Development Council, said, according to a report in Al-Hayat Arabic daily. However, the official said the mayoralty hasn't conducted studies on the issue so far. Mayor Iyad's remarks came after he patronized a function at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry to honor the participants in the Riyadh Shopping and Entertainment Festival 2010. He said there was no difference if there were cinemas in or outside the Kingdom. “I don't think there is anything wrong if the cinemas are in Riyadh or Bahrain as long as the Ministry of Culture and Information follows up on what is being displayed.” The official's support for the cinema comes in the face of the strong reservation about the same from some influential quarters. Several film festivals, however, are being organized in the premises of consulates and embassies of many countries. The 4th Asian Film Festival kicked off in Jeddah, Wednesday. Similarly, a festival of films from different parts of the world under the title “International Film Festival – Riyadh: The Ambassador's Choice” is scheduled to start at the Indian Embassy auditorium on Friday.
