Review: Netflix’s documentary ‘Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey’
Review: Netflix’s documentary ‘Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey’ /node/2587577/entertainment
Review: Netflix’s documentary ‘Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey’
Directed by Joe Berlinger, the three-part series dives deeper into the investigative missteps, the chaotic media frenzy surrounding the case and the lingering questions that continue to haunt a picturesque mountain town in the US. (Supplied)
Review: Netflix’s documentary ‘Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey’
Updated 23 January 2025
Jasmine Bager
It is the unsolved murder that still grips the public imagination almost three decades later. Netflix’s 2024 “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey” reexamines the 1996 killing of the 6-year-old beauty queen.
Directed by Joe Berlinger, the three-part series dives deeper into the investigative missteps, the chaotic media frenzy surrounding the case and the lingering questions that continue to haunt a picturesque mountain town in the US.
The story unfolds the morning after Christmas in Boulder, Colorado, when the pretty 6-year-old goes missing from her slept-in bed.
JonBenet’s disappearance was initially believed to be a kidnapping as the family found a bizarrely worded, lengthy handwritten ransom note in their home. It demanded an odd amount of money — $118,000, which exactly matched the amount of John Ramsey’s Christmas bonus.
Expert examination revealed the handwriting matched nobody’s in the Ramsey household, but it had been ripped out of a notepad found in the house.
Police officers entered the Ramsey home and looked around, but did not find the missing child. Her body was later discovered there; she had been strangled and bludgeoned.
From the outset, the documentary paints a damning picture of the Boulder Police Department’s mishandling of the investigation, from failing to secure the crime scene early on to focusing on the Ramsey family — to not focusing enough on the family.
All while overlooking other potential leads.
Critics argue that it glosses over key elements, leaving viewers with an incomplete picture of the case.
For those unfamiliar with the case, the series offers a look at it from semi-fresh eyes. An unsolved murder never expires.
Now, 28 years later, the passage of time only heightens the frustration.
This cold case serves as a stark reminder of how flawed investigations can destroy lives and how this little girl has been frozen in time forever.
And so far her killer — or killers — got away with their crime.
‘Window on Palestine’ returns to El-Gouna Film Festival
Updated 08 October 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: Egypt’s El-Gouna Film Festival is bringing back its “Window on Palestine” program for the third year.
Set to run from Oct. 16 to 24, the festival’s eighth edition will play host to a roster of Palestinian films in the special section.
This year will feature seven short documentaries from the “From Ground Zero+” initiative, offering portrayals of life in Gaza.
The documentaries were created through the Masharawi Fund for Films & Filmmakers in Gaza, in collaboration with Coorigine Production in France. All the films are in Arabic with English subtitles.
The selected works include “Colors Under the Sky” by Reema Mahmoud, which follows a displaced artist struggling to create music amidst destruction; and “Dreams of Farah and Zahra” by Mostafa Al-Nabeeh about two young girls who hold on to creativity as an act of defiance.
In addition, “Gaza to Oscar” by Alaa Damo follows filmmakers who risk their lives to tell their stories; “The Wish” by Aws Al-Banna in which theater becomes a tool for recovery; and “Hassan” by Muhammad Al-Sharif about how a Palestinian teenager’s attempt to get a sack of flour leads to detention.
Also showing is “Unfinished Stories” by Nidal Damo in which a filmmaker drifts from one unfinished story to another; and “Very Small Dreams” by I’timad Wishah about women in Gaza’s refugee camps as they struggle to maintain their dignity and health.
Marianne Khoury, artistic director of the festival, said: “Our commitment to the ‘Window on Palestine’ program is not just a curatorial choice; it is a fundamental part of our mission as a festival in the region.
“Cinema has a profound power to document and to heal, and it is our duty to provide a space where the world can witness the incredible resilience and artistry of the Palestinian people.”
DUBAI: US comedian Andrew Schulz brought the house down during his Dubai debut at the Coca-Cola Arena on Tuesday night, delivering a high-energy set that left the crowd roaring with laughter from start to finish.
Following a successful show in Abu Dhabi in 2024, the comedian returned to the UAE accompanied by the co-hosts of his hit podcast Flagrant.
Opening for Schulz were Mark Gagnon, Akaash Singh, and Emirati comedian Abz Ali.
As part of the Dubai Comedy Festival, Schulz performed a classic American-style standup routine infused with his trademark self-deprecating humor.
And, to the audience’s delight, provided plenty of region-specific jokes about life in the UAE.
Unlike his Abu Dhabi show, this set leaned more toward sharp, quick-fire standup and crowd interaction rather than an overarching narrative, which had characterized his previous Life Tour performances.
From poking fun at Dubai’s traffic to riffing on the city’s obsession with Emaar buildings, Schulz showcased an impressive grasp of local culture and humor.
Throughout the night, his quick wit and spontaneous comebacks during audience interactions had the crowd in stitches.
To close the show, Schulz invited the rest of the lineup back on stage for a lighthearted Q&A segment, where they offered tongue-in-cheek advice.
With laughter, tears, and plenty of surprises, Schulz’s Dubai debut was a memorable addition to his growing list of UAE performances.
The comedian is set to perform in Riyadh as a part of the comedy festival on Oct. 8.
Bad Bunny celebrates Palestinian listeners embracing his music
Updated 03 October 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny this week spoke about the global reach of his songs, highlighting how deeply moved he feels by listeners in Palestine embracing his work.
Speaking in an interview with Billboard Arabia, the Grammy-winning artist reflected on the response to his track “DtMF.”
“It’s really beautiful to see so many people from Latin America connecting with that song, people from Palestine connecting with that song, people from all over the world connecting with that song,” he said.
He explained that the impact extended to his other personal works. “And not only with that one but also with ‘DeVita’ and ‘Dalma Fotos,’ songs where I mention San Juan, songs where I mention places only from here, from Puerto Rico, where I mention my grandfather … Personal songs that people identify with,” he added.
Bad Bunny reflected on what this connection means for him as an artist. “That’s where you see that music is about that, and art in general is about being real, about being honest, and about people being able to identify with what you feel, because through those songs they see that there is no difference between them and me.”
“DtMF” — short for “Debi Tirar Mas Fotos” (“I should’ve taken more photos”) — went viral in Palestine, with people sharing before-and-after pictures of destruction from the war with Israel.
In the song, Bad Bunny looks back on moments he wishes he had captured, weaving in references to Puerto Rico, his grandfather and local musical styles such as bomba and plena.
While he dwells on regret, he also emphasizes the importance of cherishing what remains, valuing connections, and honoring one’s roots and memories.
Spotify launches first ‘Loud & Clear’ report in Saudi Arabia, spotlighting royalties and artist growth
Updated 02 October 2025
Waad Hussain
RIYADH: Spotify has released its first Saudi “Loud & Clear report, highlighting the rise of the Kingdom’s music industry, where local artists are leveraging global discovery into sustainable careers.
According to the report, Saudi artists generated more than SR13 million ($3.5 million) in royalties on Spotify in 2024 — a 76 percent increase from the previous year and more than double the total in 2022. At the same time, Saudi artists were discovered by first-time listeners more than 220 million times. According to Spotify, more than 90 percent of royalties came from audiences outside the Kingdom.
Saudi musicians perform live at Spotify’s Loud & Clear Saudi Arabia edition, highlighting the diversity and creativity shaping the Kingdom’s sound. (Supplied)
“Saudi Arabia is one of the most exciting music markets in the Middle East today. If you look back just a decade, much of the scene was underground. Fast-forward to now, and the story is very different: Artists are reaching audiences at scale, royalties are growing fast, and the ecosystem is buzzing with possibility,” said Akshat Harbola, managing director for Spotify MENAP.
He added that the momentum was “undeniable,” noting that Saudi Arabia’s Music Commission projects the industry could become a half-billion-dollar market within the next decade. “To realize that vision, every stakeholder needs to come together, and the time to start that conversation is now,” he said.
The Loud & Clear event in Riyadh on Thursday was designed as a conversation-starter, bringing together artists, industry leaders and fans to examine how streaming revenues are shaping careers. Harbola described the milestone as proof that music is becoming a viable profession in the Kingdom. “We celebrated some powerful wins, more than SR13 million in royalties generated, with many Saudi artists now generating over SR100,000 last year. This is proof that music can become a sustainable career,” he said.
Spotify MENAP Managing Director Akshat Harbola and Saudi Music Commission CEO Paul Pacifico discuss the Kingdom’s fast-growing music industry during the first Loud & Clear event in Riyadh. (Supplied)
Spotify’s report also showed that Saudi music consumption on the platform has grown by nearly 200 percent since 2020, fueled by local pride and younger audiences. Harbola emphasized that the goal is not only growth but transparency: “By breaking down how royalties flow, how rights are protected, and how artists can truly earn from their work, we can build a more transparent and sustainable system from day one.”
What stood out most, he said, was the diversity of the Saudi music scene. “Of course, Tarab remains a powerful genre, but alongside it you now have electronic producers filling global arenas, and singer-songwriters blending Arabic and English in ways that feel fresh and original,” Harbola said, citing acoustic performances that showcased the mix of languages and styles now defining the Kingdom’s sound.
Audience at Beast House, JAX District, Riyadh, attending the launch of Spotify’s first Loud & Clear report in Saudi Arabia, which revealed over SAR 13 million in royalties generated by Saudi artists in 2024. (Supplied)
Spotify has already launched initiatives such as RADAR Arabia, EQUAL Arabia, and Fresh Finds Saudi to support emerging talent. Harbola underlined that discovery remains at the heart of the platform. “In 2024 alone, Spotify helped drive more than 220 million discoveries of Saudi artists worldwide,” he said.
Looking ahead, Spotify announced a new Saudi campaign, The GM of Vibes, celebrating the creativity and energy of the Kingdom’s listeners. “We’re incredibly focused on our mission to support artists and to educate music fans about streaming music legally. The more they stream, the more their favorite artists can sustain a living from their art,” Harbola said.
As Saudi Arabia’s music ecosystem accelerates under Vision 2030, Spotify’s data-driven push for transparency signals a new era where artists are not only being heard but increasingly rewarded.
Sarah Taibah heads into the unknown with horror film ‘Hoba’
The Saudi actress discusses her latest role as a villainous second wife
Updated 02 October 2025
Shyama Krishna Kumar
DUBAI: When Saudi multi-hyphenate Sarah Taibah speaks about her craft, there’s an electric conviction to her words. Taibah is an artist, writer, filmmaker and actor, and she describes her creative life as a continuous pursuit of inspiration.
“I think I’ve always been a creative person,” she tells Arab News. “In the beginning, I thought that being interested in many different things was me not being able to focus. But then I realized that I am an artist. So one of the major things, for me, is to do what I feel strongly about and whatever inspires me.”
“Hoba” tells the story of a devoted wife and mother — Amani (played by Bdoor Mohammed) — whose life begins to unravel when her husband returns home with a second wife, Zahra (Sarah Taibah), and an unseen dark force infiltrates her home. (Supplied)
That restless curiosity is what first nudged Taibah toward acting.
“I was doing my Master of Fine Arts degree in San Francisco, and one of my good friends asked me to act in her short film,” she says. “I just did it because I’m a creative person, not because I wanted to be an actress. And this short film really did well and went to so many festivals, and I fell in love with acting. It reminded me of all the memories that I kind of blocked from being a kid. I was always on stage in school. I’d always been in school plays and all that.”
Now, Taibah is set to challenge herself as never before with “Hoba” (‘The Vile’), an upcoming Emirati horror film directed by Majid Al-Ansari, known for the critically-acclaimed 2015 film “Zinzana.”
“I got so excited about ‘Hoba’ for two reasons,” Taibah says. “First, I like the director — I remember seeing his first film, and I thought that he does things differently. Second, I really appreciated him not typecasting me. I’m always cast by directors in certain roles that are really similar to my character — as Sarah — but with Majid, he saw something else. The character couldn’t be more different than me. I’ve never been this challenged — not only because she’s the villain of the movie, but also because it allowed me to experience different techniques, to tap into something a bit supernatural; something I have zero clue how to relate to.”
Sarah Taibah is an artist, writer, filmmaker and actor, and she describes her creative life as a continuous pursuit of inspiration. (Supplied)
“Hoba” tells the story of a devoted wife and mother — Amani (played by Bdoor Mohammed) — whose life begins to unravel when her husband returns home with a second wife, Zahra (Taibah), and an unseen dark force infiltrates her home. Zahra is as fascinating as she is frightening.
“Zahra is a very, very strong character with a strong presence,” Taibah says. “She has this toxic charm of a manipulative person, which is a very tricky part to play in horror films. It’s not like drama where you dig deep into the past of a character; you gotta work with what you have. She’s hard to really relate to or love, but I aspire for her to be that character that you really, really despise but also like for a reason that you hate yourself for. She’s fun — she’s a fun character to play.”
Stepping into the horror genre presented its own set of challenges. “It was less character work than I do with other genres,” says the 36-year-old. “It was more about, ‘We are here, we are here now. We don’t know.’ Ninety-nine percent of the film happens indoors, in one location. It could be anywhere in the world. It’s not a film where you treat the city as a character. It’s just a very confined area — just you and your psychological issues. It was such an interesting journey. I treated the film differently during preparation and tapped into something really unknown for me, honestly.”
The project also reflects a broader creative movement sweeping the Middle East. Genre filmmaking is on the rise, and Taibah herself has helped propel it forward as one of the writers of “Hwjn,” a fantasy about a romance between a djinn and a human.
“I feel it’s about time to tap into different genres and to challenge the audience (to watch something different) from what they’re used to watching, like drama or comedy,” she says. “It’s time to play with horror, magical realism, and fantasy. I feel like it’s such a blank canvas, and audiences are really hungry to see more from the region. Entering a cinema is not just about relatability — what’s true and realistic; it’s a place where you escape real life into this magical world. It’s tricky to do it right, and that’s one of the things that made me say yes to ‘Hoba.’ I truly believe in the director’s vision and the references he likes. He loves Korean horror films, for example. And I know that this is a person who’s making this attempt with knowledge and with taste.”
As for what audiences can expect when “Hoba” arrives at the end of October, Taibah says: “It’s a horror film, and we don’t have many of these (in Arab cinema). And also it has really good cinematography. I feel like it’s going to be more of a complete experience. Good cinematography, good director, good cast.”
However, she adds: “I haven’t seen it yet. I hope it’s as good as I think.”
