JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival is to screen 11 specially selected movies as part of its program to showcase the Kingdom’s emerging cinema talent.
The flicks will be shown online over a period of two weeks on the festival’s dedicated YouTube channel.
The event’s Tajreeb program, originally chosen for the inaugural festival, has been designed to free filmmakers from any constraints and allow their creativity to flow.
The 11 films picked for digital screening between Nov. 18 and 30 hail from regions throughout Saudi Arabia and are of different genres and lengths. Each will be available to watch for one week.
The movies selected are “Shame” directed by Abdulla Al-Bin Hamdha, “A DIY of a Dream 101” by Qamar Abdulmalik, “Nonself Portrait” by Asad Badawi, “Extraction of Lunar” by Lulua Al-Dehaiemi, “The Time Has Come” by Ayman Al-Ali, “Algari” by Ahmed Al-Hasawi, “Dissonance” by Moodi Al-Zamil, “A Breath” by Razan Alsagheer, “Remember Me” by Mohammed Hammad, “Color of Sunset” by Haidar Daoud, and “The Sleep Sun Station” by Anhar Salem.
Meanwhile, “Last Visit” directed by Abdulmohsen Al-Dabaan and produced by Mohammed Al-Hamoud, opened in Saudi cinemas on Wednesday.
The film is distributed by the Lebanese company MC Distribution and Saudi Arabia’s CineWaves Films, with the support of the Red Sea International Film Festival.
“Last Visit” had its world premiere at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, in the Czech Republic, where it was the first Arab film to participate in the East of the West Competition, and the drama won the Jury Prize at the Marrakech International Film Festival.
The movie tells the story of Nasser (played by Osama Alqess) who changes plans to go to a wedding when he hears that his elderly father is dying. Nasser drives his teenage son, Walid (Abdallah Al-Fahad) to his father’s small rural town, where the upheld traditions of the rural environment exasperate the different world outlooks of Nasser and Walid.
“Last Visit” was produced by Last Scene films with the support of the King Abdul Aziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran.
Saudi Red Sea film festival to showcase 11 movies online
https://arab.news/mvzwc
Saudi Red Sea film festival to showcase 11 movies online
98-year-old Egyptian pilgrim fulfilling lifelong dream
- Ahmed Tamim is among the oldest pilgrims on Hajj this year
- Son Muhammed says ‘his eyes filled with tears’ when selected
JEDDAH: Ahmed Tamim, 98, is fulfilling a lifelong dream of performing Hajj this year.
Tamim is a native of Egypt’s Sohag governorate, located on the west bank of the Nile, and is one of the oldest pilgrims on this year’s Hajj.
He arrived in Madinah on May 18 accompanied by his son, to embark on the sacred journey that is mandatory for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to complete it.
They are among 13,062 Egyptian pilgrims who were selected through the annual lottery to perform the pilgrimage this year.
His son Muhammed told Arab News: “It all started with a phone call from my friends who said the Hajj lottery is open, aren’t you going to apply for your father?
“I tried to contact the lottery mission, and they told me tomorrow is the last day (and) anyone who hasn’t applied can still apply.
“At the time, we hadn’t applied, but after that call, I decided to apply for my father, and thank God, his name was added to the reserve list due to his advanced age.”
He added: “Every year he used to wish to perform Hajj or Umrah. This time, when he found out his name was called after all these years, his eyes filled with tears and he reacted with happiness, he couldn’t believe it.”
Muhammed said his father is insisting on performing all the rituals unaided despite his difficulties in walking and hearing.
“He always (said) ‘this is an opportunity Allah has chosen me, and I want to experience it to the fullest.’”
Muhammad added: “Everyone in Sohag is happy for my father, because he’s not only the oldest pilgrim, but he’s a very respected religious person in the governorate.
“May Allah accept his Hajj and we are all so glad that he finally made Hajj.”
Saudi health minister visits pilgrim who received emergency cardiac surgery in Arafat
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Health Minister Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel recently visited a Hajj pilgrim who had received emergency cardiac surgery at East Arafat Hospital.
The minister, who is also chairman of the Health Holding Co., made the visit during an inspection tour of healthcare facilities before the pilgrimage begins later this week, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The hospital is one of several medical facilities serving the holy sites during the Hajj.
Man jailed for illegal Hajj pilgrimage operation
- A preliminary ruling sentenced him to one year in prison and imposed a 10,000 riyal ($2,666) fine
RIYADH: A Saudi resident has been jailed for a year for setting up an illegal Hajj operation with the intention of obtaining funds through deception via social media.
The public prosecution referred the defendant to the criminal court after he was found in possession of receipts connecting him to the criminal operation.
A preliminary ruling sentenced him to one year in prison and imposed a 10,000 riyal ($2,666) fine, along with the confiscation of all devices and tools used in the crime.
The public prosecution said the creation of fake Hajj operations was a major crime punishable by detention and added that it would continue to pursue those who broke Hajj regulations.
Meanwhile, Hajj security forces arrested 36 residents who tried to enter Makkah without the correct permits. They were referred to the relevant authority.
KSrelief completes pediatric heart surgery, catheterization project in Aleppo
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief has completed a pediatric cardiac surgery and catheterization program in Syria’s Aleppo, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Volunteer medical workers carried out the project — a part of the Saudi Amal Program for Syrians — which ran from May 16 to 23, the SPA reported.
The teams performed 28 cardiac catheterizations and two open-heart operations.
In addition, 30 diagnostic radiology services were provided, 30 laboratory tests conducted, and medications dispensed to 30 patients.
The project is an extension of the specialized volunteer medical initiatives carried out by KSrelief to help people in Syria.
Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues food aid to world’s needy
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has provided 2,339 food parcels to vulnerable people in the Syrian Arab Republic and Sudan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Syrians in Aleppo received 1,339 parcels, while in Sudan’s Blue Nile State 1,000 were delivered for 4,686 people, the report added.
Saudi Arabia continues to provide much-needed aid to communities in crisis across the world, the SPA reported.
