The Red Sea Film Festival is set to make cinematic history in Saudi Arabia with the nation’s first-ever silent film screening featuring live musical accompaniment.
The Red Sea International Film Festival (Red Sea IFF) has announced the programme for its Treasures strand, presenting six restored Arab and international classics alongside Saudi Arabia’s first-ever live silent film showcase. The curated lineup celebrates cinematic heritage by bringing timeless works back to the big screen, newly restored for contemporary audiences.
Among the highlights is Umrao Jaan (India), a revered classic of Indian cinema directed by Muzaffar Ali. Restored in 4K this year by the National Film Archive of India under the National Film Heritage Mission, the film will be screened outside India for the first time at Red Sea IFF. Based on Mirza Hadi Ruswa’s 1899 Urdu novel, the story follows the journey of a Lucknow courtesan and poet, immortalised by Rekha’s iconic performance, Khayyam’s evocative music, and Shahryar’s lyrical poetry. The film remains a vibrant tribute to 19th-century Awadhi culture.
The festival will also feature Alfred Hitchcock’s 1945 psychological thriller Spellbound, newly restored in 2024 by Walt Disney Studios in association with The Film Foundation, with support from Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. Starring Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman, the film delves into the mysteries of the mind, featuring a surreal dream sequence designed by Salvador Dalí.
Luc Besson’s The Big Blue (1988) will make its Saudi Arabian debut, bringing back one of the most beloved French cult films of the 1980s. Starring Jean-Marc Barr, Jean Reno, and Rosanna Arquette, the story dives deep into the friendship and rivalry of two free divers. With its mesmerizing underwater cinematography and Eric Serra’s haunting score, the film continues to captivate audiences decades after its release.
Marking a first in Saudi Arabia, the Silent Film Spectacular will showcase live musical accompaniment by British silent film pianist Neil Brand. Audiences will experience the golden age of slapstick comedy through short films by legends Charlie Chaplin (The Immigrant), Buster Keaton (One Week) and Laurel & Hardy (Liberty). The performance promises an authentic recreation of early cinema’s magic, with live piano and percussion underscoring each comedic beat.
From the Arab world, the Treasures strand will honour Egyptian cinema with two newly restored works by director Ahmed Badrakhan starring the legendary Umm Kulthum. Restored in 4K by the Red Sea Film Foundation in collaboration with Egypt’s Media City, Aida (1942) and Song of Hope (1937) will be screened in pristine quality for the first time. Aida tells the story of a farmer’s daughter whose love defies class boundaries, while Song of Hope explores the tension between love and ambition, echoing Kulthum’s own defiance of societal expectations.
With its mix of Arab and international classics, the Treasures strand at the Red Sea International Film Festival underscores the festival’s commitment to preserving and celebrating global cinematic heritage while offering audiences in Saudi Arabia an unparalleled experience of restored masterpieces and live film performance.
Faisal Baltyuor, CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said: “This year’s Treasures lineup spotlights true legends of film, showcasing moments and performances which are immortalised in the cinematic canon brought back to life for local and international audiences. All of the titles selected broke new ground with their original releases, and it’s a particular privilege to have played a part in the restoration of two of Umm Kulthum’s most memorable performances, as part of our ongoing commitment to bringing the best of cinema to Saudi Arabia.”
