Saudis now crave revival of night out at the movies

Reviving cinemas would represent a paradigm shift in the kingdom, which is promoting entertainment as part of a sweeping reforms plan dubbed “Vision 2030”, despite opposition from conservatives.

Hardliners, who see cinemas as a threat to cultural and religious identity, were instrumental in shutting them down in the 1980s.

Saudi Arabia’s highest-ranking cleric warned in January of the “depravity” of cinemas, saying they would corrupt morals.

But authorities appear to be shrugging off the threat, with some comparing Saudi Arabia’s reform drive to a fastmoving bus — either people get on board or risk being left behind.

A ban on cinemas does not make sense in the age of YouTube, filmmakers say.

Saudi films have been making waves abroad, using the Internet to circumvent distribution channels and sometimes the stern gaze of state censors.

Wadjda, by Saudi female director Haifaa alMansour, made history in 2013 after it became Saudi Arabia’s first Academy Award entry.

The film depicts the dream of a 10-year-old girl to get a bicycle just like the boys in her conservative neighbourhood.

This year, the country is again vying for an Oscar with the film “Barakah Meets Barakah”, the kingdom’s first romantic comedy which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival.