Saudi Drama Against The Patriarchy ‘Hobal’ Beats Hollywood Titles Becoming Standout Local Hit
The powerful movie titled “Hobal” has resonated deeply with Saudi viewers since its January 2 release. This film depicts a Saudi family being forced by their grandfather to live in seclusion in the desert during the onset of the Gulf War in 1990. When a young girl in the family falls ill, her mother bravely challenges the patriarchy to save her child. The movie has garnered over half a million admissions so far and earned approximately $5.7 million through its distributor Qanwat Group, according to data from the Saudi Film Commission that tracks box office figures in Saudi Arabia.