Haifaa Al Mansour on How Film Alula Will ‘Invest in the Journey’ of Producers and Saudi Arabia’s Dramatic Film Industry Changes

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If you’ve noticed the significant transformation in Saudi Arabia’s cinematic world, then you’re certainly aware of the experiences of Haifaa al-Mansour.

In 2011, when she filmed her directorial debut “Wadjda”, she had to direct outdoor scenes from within a vehicle because of segregation restrictions. Additionally, there wasn’t a well-established industry available to provide significant assistance.

“It was just logistically very difficult for me as a filmmaker,” she said.

Approximately a decade later, al-Mansour has come back to film two more movies in Saudi Arabia – “The Perfect Candidate” from 2019 and the upcoming crime thriller “Unidentified.” However, this time he is working with the backing of a country that is heavily investing in arts and culture.

I’ve never felt more connected to my city than I do now,” I exclaimed. “There’s something incredibly empowering about being a part of the urban landscape, capturing moments through my lens, and witnessing creativity bloom within our borders. This is truly a special time for me and my country.

At the EbMaster Global Conversations Summit held during the festival in Cannes, Al-Mansour participated on the Film Alula panel. Established in 2020 and inaugurated at Cannes that same year, Film Alula manages the burgeoning filmmaking initiatives in Saudi Arabia’s ancient northwest region, which boasts a UNESCO heritage site and an increasing number of studio facilities and productions.

In al-Mansour’s words, “This place is strikingly beautiful, both in terms of its landscape, and it offers an outstanding advantage too. The locals are keen on showcasing this spot, so upon arrival, there’s a dedicated team to guide you to the best locations and ensure your entire crew is well-taken care of. Having such a supportive partner who wishes for your success and invests in your endeavors significantly reduces the pressure.

Stuart Sutherland, the CEO of Celtic Films Entertainment and a panel participant, possesses hands-on knowledge of this matter, as he directed the action film “Kandahar” featuring Gerard Butler in Alula during 2021. Remarkably, at that time, it was the largest movie ever filmed in Saudi Arabia. The production of “Kandahar” served as a guide for how Alula would manage large-scale projects in the future.

He suggested we visit Alula, he mentioned. Yet, he himself was as open-minded as a clean slate, with all possibilities ahead of us. Additionally, we were both figuring out the future direction of our field, laying the groundwork from scratch.

A lot has transpired in Alula since it began hosting “Kandahar.” This is according to Zaid Shaker, Film Alula’s executive director, who went on to share that in 2024 alone, over 85 projects were hosted, which included features, unscripted programs, video clips, and various other projects. Furthermore, he mentioned the recent partnership with Manhattan Beach Studios, through which they will manage Alula’s studios.

Beyond the sound stages of Alula, the entire filmmaking sector in Saudi Arabia has made significant strides, evolving from a handful of independent directors creating films under makeshift conditions to a burgeoning industry attracting an increasing number of skilled professionals daily.

Instead of “Al-Mansour,” she didn’t just sense a shift from “Wadjda” to “The Perfect Candidate,” but also noticed a change between that film and her next project, “Unidentified.

She noted that it’s delightful to work alongside individuals who possess deeper knowledge about films, location scouting, and even casting, contrasting her previous experiences of simply waiting in a run-down hotel for contacts of contacts.

Speaking about the upcoming release “Unidentified” this fall, she mentioned that the role of the casting director will be played by an “extraordinary, bold Saudi female.

She replied something like, “How many extras would you need?” She promised to provide them for me. At first, I was hesitant, but she exceeded my expectations and turned out to be absolutely fantastic.

She asked, “How many more items do you require?” She assured me she’d bring them over. Initially, I had doubts, but she surpassed them all and proved to be simply remarkable.

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2025-05-19 09:46