Could Riyadh's royal reforms revive the Saudi silver screen?
As part of its Vision 2030 project, Saudi Arabia on Saturday launched its General Authority for Entertainment, raising hopes for the return of cinema.
3 min read
Movie theatres were banned in the 1980s to appease the kingdom's conservative clerics [AFP]
Saudi artists and activists have high hopes for the return of cinema to the kingdom following the establishment of an independent body for entertainment on Saturday as part of Riyadh's "Vision 2030" project.
The General Authority for Entertainment, headed by Ahmed al-Khatib, a former royal court adviser, may see the relaunch of cinemas, entertainment hubs and cultural events in a country that, despite being one of the biggest economies in the Arab world, lacks a film industry.
Although Saudis are eager consumers of online videos, ranking among the world's top YouTube viewers, they often head to neighbouring countries to watch the latest blockbuster releases.
"If you look at the movie theatres in Bahrain, you will find that more than 90 percent of film viewers are Saudis," said Mamdouh Salem, director of the Saudi Film Festival, which was held last year after a seven-year absence.
The most important work of this new body will be to bring cinema back to Saudi Arabia after a 40-year absence, Salem told The New Arab.
"Saudi Vision 2030 enforces a citizen's right to entertainment," Salem said. "The most important step to take towards this is to re-establish the film industry."
The General Authority for Entertainment, headed by Ahmed al-Khatib, a former royal court adviser, may see the relaunch of cinemas, entertainment hubs and cultural events in a country that, despite being one of the biggest economies in the Arab world, lacks a film industry.
Although Saudis are eager consumers of online videos, ranking among the world's top YouTube viewers, they often head to neighbouring countries to watch the latest blockbuster releases.
"If you look at the movie theatres in Bahrain, you will find that more than 90 percent of film viewers are Saudis," said Mamdouh Salem, director of the Saudi Film Festival, which was held last year after a seven-year absence.
The most important work of this new body will be to bring cinema back to Saudi Arabia after a 40-year absence, Salem told The New Arab.
"Saudi Vision 2030 enforces a citizen's right to entertainment," Salem said. "The most important step to take towards this is to re-establish the film industry."
Movie theatres were banned in the 1980s to appease the kingdom's conservative clerics. But the establishment of an entertainment body presents a new shift in thinking.
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Movie theatres were banned in the 1980s to appease the kingdom's conservative clerics. But the establishment of an entertainment body presents a new shift in thinking |  |
"Forming the General Authority for Entertainment gives us hope that changes are happening and we may see cinemas, theatres and museums across the kingdom very soon," Salem told The New Arab.
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| Saudis often watch the latest blockbuster releases in neighbouring Bahrain [AFP] |
"It is very possible to have entertainment without a breakdown in moral standards, because art does not lead to that," he added.
Meanwhile, private film screenings continue to be held across the kingdom, where entertainment is often restricted to a trip to the shopping centre or the often over-crowded public parks, as well as seaside visits to those living in the coastal cities.
"Like other countries, Saudi Arabia needs cinemas, theatres, museums and exhibitions to visit and spend quality time in an affordable way, since financial pressures and inflation has made shopping difficult now," writer and activist Walid al-Zaid told The New Arab.
"The Saudis are hungry for different forms of entertainment," Zaid said. "They want to find entertainment within their city. They want to be able to have options over where to spend their spare time rather than have only one option, which is to go to shopping at the malls."
These demands will not be realised overnight but will take some time to happen, Zaid pointed out.
Despite hopes that the new entertainment authority may open up alternatives for Saudis, restrictions according to state policies and social traditions will still apply.
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Despite hopes that the new entertainment authority may open up alternatives for Saudis, restrictions according to state policies and social traditions will still apply | |
"The role of entertainment bodies around the world includes developing the entertainment sector in line with what is seen as appropriate and what is requested by their societies," Zaid said.
"Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Entertainment will receive applications from investors who seek to open an entertainment centre," he explained. "They will ensure it falls in line with state policies and the customs and traditions of the society."
Like many Saudis, actor Nasser al-Qosaibi echoed the optimism over the establishment of the new agency.
"Entertainment will not only strengthen our morals but it will feed our souls too," he tweeted.
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