Attendees of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale are invited to partake in cinematic journeys featuring a handpicked selection of local and international films, available every Thursday until May 23, 2024.
The Red Sea Film Foundation and the Diriyah Biennale Foundation have joined forces to introduce the “Cinema Nights” series, set to grace the sidelines of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2024 at the JAX District in Diriyah. Scheduled to run until May 23, 2024, this collaboration between two prominent cultural institutions in the Kingdom aims to elevate the cinematic and cultural landscape through exclusive screenings of local and international films, coupled with engaging discussions with filmmakers.
The “Cinema Nights” programme will showcase a meticulously curated selection of films, including the Saudi masterpiece Hajjan by director Abu Bakr Shawky. The film intricately narrates the journey of a boy named Omar and his camel Haffara, against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia’s majestic deserts, featuring performances by Azzam Namr, Abdulmohsen Alnemer, and emerging talent Omar Atawi. Additionally, audiences can anticipate the highly anticipated Saudi film Noura by director and writer Tawfiq Al-Zaidi, starring renowned Saudi actors Yaqoub Alfarhan and Abdullah Al-Sadhan in his debut big-screen appearance.
International cinematic gems such as the Japanese film Evil Does Not Exist and Behind the Mountains by Tunisian director Mohamed Ben Attia will also grace the screens, alongside a diverse array of international and local short films.
Mohammed Al Turki, CEO of Red Sea Film Foundation, said: “We are proud of this partnership with the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, which reflects our dedication at the Red Sea Film Foundation to enriching the cultural and cinematic scene in the Kingdom. It also highlights our continuous commitment to fostering partnerships with cultural entities that align with our shared objectives. Cinema Nights is not just a cinematic event, but also a cultural platform that celebrates storytelling and creativity and enhances the cultural exchange between peoples.”
Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of Diriyah Biennale Foundation, added: “We are excited to partner with the Red Sea Film Foundation to offer a rich cinematic experience to our visitors. We strongly believe in the role that film plays in highlighting unique stories and igniting new dialogue between different cultures and generations. Through our second edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, we aim to create a thought-provoking, immersive, and multi-sensory cultural journey for visitors of all ages and backgrounds, and we believe our collaboration with the Red Sea Film Foundation is an important step in achieving that goal.”
The programme will unfold with a carefully curated selection of 10 feature films every Thursday from March 7 to May 23, 2024. Furthermore, on May 10 and 11t, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation in Riyadh will host screenings of local and international short films, promising visitors an immersive cinematic experience enriched with cutting-edge sound and image technologies. Arabic and English subtitles will be available for all scheduled film screenings.
This strategic partnership between the Red Sea Film Foundation and the Diriyah Biennale Foundation underscores a shared dedication to enhancing the cultural and cinematic landscape of the Kingdom. By providing platforms that attract promising artistic and cinematic talents, the collaboration seeks to foster artistic expression and creativity, enriching the cultural fabric of Saudi Arabia.
