As a movie enthusiast with a deep appreciation for the evolution of cinema worldwide, I am thrilled to witness the opening of CineHouse, the first arthouse cinema in Riyadh. The opening film, “Development of Riyadh City,” is not just a documentary, but a symbol of resilience and determination in the face of challenges that Saudi filmmakers have faced over the years.
Pioneer of the Saudi Arabian film industry, Faisal Baltyuor, is launching the first art-house cinema in Riyadh. This marks a significant step in the kingdom’s cinematic journey since the lifting of the 35-year ban on cinemas in late 2017.
The modern, top-tier movie theater with seating for eighty people, named Cinehouse, is scheduled to debut in Riyadh’s capital city later this month. The inaugural film screening will feature a 1975 documentary titled “The Evolution of Riyadh City,” directed by Saudi filmmaker Abdullah Al-Muheisen. Prior to the implementation of the ban on cinema in Saudi Arabia, Al-Muheisen played a significant role in establishing the foundations for the emerging Saudi film industry. His extensive collection of work often explored social and humanitarian concerns.
After the documentary “Development of Riyadh City,” a collection of both domestic and foreign movies, carefully selected for viewing at Cinehouse, will be screened.
Baltyuor, an ex-CEO of the Saudi Film Council turned founder of CineWaves Film (the leading Saudi niche distribution company) in 2020, noted that our first movie choice was inspired by the roots of the Saudi film industry,” he said. Baltyuor is additionally engaged in film production through CineWaves Films and Ideation Studios.
In Baltyuor’s words, “After cinemas reopened in Saudi Arabia, I had a meeting with Mr. Abdullah Al-Muheisen. I visited his office and spent hours conversing with him. His experiences during the seventies were incredibly inspiring to me. Although there was some liberty to create content back then, there was no support system in place to aid filmmakers.
Coming soon to Cinehouse, you’ll find an exciting lineup of films such as Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie à Deux”, directed by the talented Ryoo Seung-wan titled “I, The Executioner”, Aki Kaurismäki’s “Fallen Leaves”, Amr Gamal’s Yemeni production “The Burdened”, Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest”, and Saeed Roustayi’s Iranian film entitled “Leila’s Brothers”. Enjoy the cinema!
Baltyour, who’s been involved with the Cinehouse project for a couple of years now, publicly thanked Saudi’s Ministry of Culture, particularly its head Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, deputy minister Hamed M. Fayez, and the Saudi Cultural Development Fund, for their backing and support.
At Cinehouse, we’ll offer a blend of contemporary art-house movies fresh from their festival circuits, timeless classics that have left an indelible mark on cinema history, and a variety of commercially successful films. We’ll also host educational seminars, thematic film series, and engaging discussions with renowned international directors.
At the Cinehouse location, you’ll find three comfortable movie theaters that together can accommodate up to 80 guests. Additionally, there’s a restaurant and bar area, elegantly designed in a vintage style inspired by “The Cotton Club”. Each cinema is equipped with advanced 4K laser projectors and a top-tier Atmos 7.1 surround sound system.
You’ve pointed out that while the Saudi box office has significantly increased over the last six years, there remains a substantial void in the art house cinema sector, which aligns with a broader international pattern.
As reported by the Saudi General Authority for Media Regulation, the region’s leading film market from April 2018 to March 2024 has brought in a revenue of $986 million and recorded more than 61 million cinema visits.
Baltyour pointed out that establishing an arthouse cinema comes with many hurdles. Therefore, we plan to address these issues one at a time and attempt to cultivate a supportive community in the process.
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2024-09-07 13:48