On Wednesday the Red Sea International Film Festival unveiled the program of its New Vision and Series strands at the fourth edition of the December event, with new Saudi voices, the Vatican, a new Zorro series with The Artist star Jean Dujardin, an English historian, a deep dive into Turkish soap opera series and lots of art. “This year marks the first time Saudi works have been selected in New Vision, highlighting the vibrant evolution of local and regional cinema, while the series strand highlights exciting new voices from the small screen with four new international television programmes,” the organizers underlined.
The 2024 edition of the RSIFF will take place from December 5 to 14 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, following a star-studded 2023 festival.
Four of the five films in the Red Sea: New Vision strand are Saudi films. “Saudi voices will take center stage this year alongside a diverse selection of international films and series, highlighting the Kingdom's cultural renaissance while highlighting global creativity and innovation,” the organizers said.
Saudi feature films cover topics such as the artist of Jeddah; the relationship of a Saudi artist with Italian and Vatican art; the artistic legacy of the Roshans, wooden facades that are architectural landmarks in Mecca, Jeddah and Medina, Saudi Arabia; and the Layan Cultural Foundation's mission to preserve the country's heritage for future generations.
Meanwhile, an international co-production in the program is described as “a documentary that jumps between nostalgia and ambition as parkour becomes a metaphor for resilience in the face of an uncertain future”.
“Saudi Arabia's vibrant arts scene pulses at the heart of numerous films, capturing the energy, creativity and ambition of its artists,” said Antoine Khalife, director of Arabic programs and film classics at the festival. “With passionate brushstrokes and boldly visionary sculptures, Saudi filmmakers bring to life the stories of painters, sculptors and other creatives who have shaped the country's artistic landscape, inviting us to see the world through their eyes. We have a special affection for the New Vision section, which celebrates innovative filmmakers whose films dance between documentary and fiction. These films delve into real life with a human touch, offering fresh and inspiring perspectives.”
Meanwhile, four new international television programs will be screened in the Red Sea Series program “with a focus on different genres, including horror and adventure”, organizers said.
“This year's selection highlights how television is a great, long-term way to tell stories and broadcast episodic stories,” said Kaleem Aftab, director of international programming for the RSIFF. “Just as is happening with cinematographic works, television is also embracing all formats and genres, especially horror. It's a revolution in audience-driven storytelling and this year's selection includes thrilling documentaries, ghost stories and daredevil adventures.”
Among the series there are those by Jean Baptiste Saurel Zorrowhich takes audiences back to Los Angeles in the early 19th century, and Lost Worlds with Bettany Hughes: The Nabataeansin which the English historian dives into the history of the Nabataeans, an ancient Arab people.
Check out the full lineups for the RSIFF's New Vision and Series strands below.
Red Sea: new vision
ALROSHANdirected by Mohammed Ous
Saudi Arabia
A dive into the long history of Roshan, the traditional carved wooden screens that protect Saudi windows from the desert sun.
KEMOKAZIdirected by Abdulrahman Batawie
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah-based artist Kemokazi struggles, sometimes literally, with his purpose as an artist.
OTHMAN IN THE VATICANdirected by Yasir Bin Ghanem
Saudi Arabia
The internationally esteemed Saudi artist Othman Al-Khozaim reflects on his lifelong relationship with the Italian artistic spirit.
WHEN THE LIGHT SHINESdirected by Ryan Al Bishri
Saudi Arabia
The enthusiasm and deep knowledge of a Saudi prince – His Highness Prince Faisal bin Abdullah – guided the formation of the Layan Cultural Foundation, which preserves Saudi Arabia's artistic history for the future.
YALLA PARKOURdirected by Areeb Zuaiter
Sweden, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
Areeb searches for a memory that strengthens his sense of belonging and meets Ahmad, a parkour athlete in Gaza. Their journey weaves together conflicting aspirations as nostalgia meets ambition and the weight of her past confronts an uncertain future.
Red Sea: series
GHOST TRAINdirected by Se-Woong Tak
South Korea
A YouTube creator looking for more followers searches for ghosts in a Korean subway station filled with spooky stories.
LOST WORLDS WITH BETTANY HUGHES: THE NABATAEANSdirected by Jim Greayer
United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Greece and Jordan
Starting from AlUla in Saudi Arabia, Bettany Hughes embarks on a fascinating journey to rediscover the history of the Nabataeans.
TALES ON THE BANKS OF THE BOSPOROUSdirected by Zeina Sfeir, idea and research by Bissan Tay
Lebanon, Egypt, Türkiye
In just 10 years, Turkish soap opera series have become a booming industry, exported to vast areas of the world. What is the secret of this success?
ZORROdirected by Jean Baptiste Saurel
Belgium, France
When he becomes mayor of Los Angeles, Don Diego de la Vega must bring his alter ego Zorro back to life to save the city. With Jean Dujardin.