Trailer for film adaptation of Saudi bestselling novel unveiled
ABUDHABI: Image Nation Abu Dhabi, MBC Studios and VOX Cinemas have announced a superstar cast and released the first trailer for the film adaptation of Saudi Arabia’s bestselling novel HWJN, which will hit screens across the region in 2023.
A national literary phenomenon, writen by Ibraheem Abbas and rewriten in English by Yasser Bahjat under their co-founded Arabian Science Fiction publishing house Yatakhaylon, HWJN tells the story of HWJN, a kind-hearted Jinn living among humans in modern-day Jeddah who must undertake an epic journey to reclaim his birth right, batle ancient evils and maintain harmony between his world and ours, while developing an unexpected romantic connection with Sawsan, a young medical student.
Directed by Yasir Al Yasiri (122, On Borrowed Time), it will feature a superstar cast including Saudi actors Baraa Alem (The Sun of Genosis, Route 10), Nour Alkhadra (The Matchmaker), Nayef Althifery (Rashash), Alanoud Saud (Blackmail Note, Boxing Girls) and Mohsen Mansour (Are we done yet?).
An exclusive first look at the highly-anticipated film was revealed at Red Sea International Film Festival during a panel in which Al Yasiri, alongside Yasser Bahjat, CEO and co-founder of Yatakhayaloon, discussed the journey of bringing this beloved fantasy romance novel to the big screen.
Author Ibraheem Abbas said: “Adapting my novel into a feature film has been an incredible process and I’m thrilled to bring the universe of HWJN to the big screen. The director, cast and crew really understood the vision of the book and I hope that fans of HWJN from around the world will enjoy seeing their favourite characters brought to life.”
Yasser Bahjat added: “It was an amazing ride to see how our vision of creating a culture around sci-fi from Saudi Arabia has blossomed with the production of HWJN. It was incredible to create this cinematic piece just in time for the tenth anniversary of the book’s release, with support from such a talented director and alongside the supportive partners - VOX Cinemas, MBC Studios and Image Nation Abu Dhabi.”