Silver screen returns to Saudi Arabia after 35-year ban is lifted
Saudi Arabia began showing feature-length animated children’s films this weekend in a makeshift cinema, after a 35-year ban was lifted in the kingdom.
The first permanent cinemas could open in March as part of a liberalising drive that has already opened the door to concerts, comedy shows and women at football games. They will also be able to drive from July.
For now, authorities are sponsoring temporary settings, such as the state-run cultural hall in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, which has a projector and a red carpet and a popcorn machine.
“Until now, there is no infrastructure for movie theatres, so we are trying to take advantage of alternative venues to approximate the cinematic form,” said Mamdouh Salim, whose Cinema 70 brand organised the week-long screenings.
“We tried to use these films to be a starting point as the first cinematic screening after the decision on December 11 to permit movie theatres.”
Cinemas were banned in the early 1980s under pressure from right-wing groups.
But reforms led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have eased many of those curbs as the government tries to broaden the economy to reduce its dependence on oil.
In a nod to conservatives, films will be censored to make sure they stay in line with the kingdom’s moral values.
After watching The Emoji Movie with his wife and daughter on Sunday evening, Sultan Al Otaibi, 28, said: “It’s more comfortable, more fun to have a change of scenery and an activity on the weekend.
“It is a step that was very late in coming but thank God it’s happening now.”
Thousands of Saudis travel to Bahrain, the UAE and other countries for entertainment.
The authorities expect to open 300 cinemas with 2,000 screens by 2030, building an industry it hopes will contribute about 90 billion riyals (Dh88.1bn) to the economy and create 30,000 permanent jobs.
Regional and international cinema chains are also looking at the Saudi market, keen to tap into the spending power of the young people who make up 70 per cent of the population.
“I want to see everything because it is something new for Saudi,” said Ibtisam Abu Talib, 30.
“I hope everything is available – action, romance, children’s films, comedy – everything, God willing.”