"Zorro"
The Red Sea International Film Festival has announced its lineup for the fourth edition "New Vision" and "Series" strands. This year marks the first time Saudi works have been selected in New Vision, underscoring the vibrant evolution of local and regional cinema, while the Series strand highlights exciting new voices from the small screen with four new international television shows.
Four out of the five films spotlighted in the Red Sea: New Vision strand are Saudi, celebrating exceptional talent and creativity while offering audiences a captivating glimpse into diverse cultures. Saudi voices take centre stage this year alongside a diverse selection of international films and series, highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural renaissance while highlighting global creativity and innovation.
The Saudi feature, "Alroshan" (Saudi Arabia) by director Mohammed Ous, celebrates the cherished artistic legacy of Roshans, wooden facades that are architectural landmarks in Makkah, Jeddah, and Medina. "When The Light Shines" (Saudi Arabia), Ryan Al Bishri documents the Layan Cultural Foundation's mission: preserving Saudi Arabia's heritage for future generations. Another standout selection that showcases an inspiring journey is "Othman In The Vatican" (Saudi Arabia) directed Yasir Bin Ghanem that highlights the universal language of art.
Antoine Khalife, Director of Arab Programmes and Film Classics, said: “Saudi Arabia’s vibrant art scene pulses through the heart of several films, capturing the energy, creativity, and ambition of its artists. With brushstrokes of passion and sculptures of bold vision, Saudi directors bring to life the stories of painters, sculptors, and other creatives who have shaped the country’s artistic landscape, inviting us to see the world through their eyes. We hold a special affection for the New Vision section, which celebrates groundbreaking directors whose films dance between documentary and fiction. These films delve into real lives with a human touch, offering fresh and thought-provoking perspectives.”
Tales from further across the Arab world bring forth Areeb Zuaiter’s "Yalla Parkour", a documentary that leaps between nostalgia and ambition as parkour becomes a metaphor for resilience in the face of an uncertain future.
TV HIGHLIGHTS
This year brings an exciting lineup of new voices from the small screen, highlighted by four new international television shows to preview in Red Sea Series. With a focus on diverse genres, including horror and adventure, it highlights the global impact of television narratives.
Kaleem Aftab, Director of International Programming for the Red Sea International Film Festival, said: “The selection this year highlights how television is a great long form way to tell histories and relay episodic stories. Just as is happening with cinematic works, television is also embracing all formats and genres, especially horror. It’s an audience led revolution in storytelling and this year’s selection has exciting documentaries, ghost stories and swashbuckling adventures.”
Jean Baptiste Saurel will take audiences back to Los Angeles at the turn of the 19th century in "Zorro" (Belgium, France); "Lost Worlds With Bettany Hughes: The Nabateans" (UK, KSA, Oman, Greece and Jordan) provides fascinating insight into history of the Nabateans, and Se-Woong Tak’s "Ghost Train" (South Korea) follows YouTube creator Da-kyung, who specializes in finding real-life horror stories. Another stand out selection is "Tales on The Banks of The Bosphorus" (Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey) from Zeina Sfeir that explores the rise of Turkish drama, examining the creative and sociological factors behind its global success and appeal across cultures.