Films from the Emirates, Jordan, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia…in “Visions of the Red Sea”
The “Red Sea Visions” program presents a group of creative works that bring together cinematic voices from the Emirates, France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, the United Kingdom, India, and other countries, on the sidelines of the activities of the “Red Sea International Film Festival,” in its fifth session, scheduled to be held between the fourth and thirteenth of next December, in the “Al-Balad” area (historic Jeddah).
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This year, the “Red Sea Visions” program highlights the “Women in Cinema… Bring Your Story to Life” initiative, which was implemented in partnership between the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture and the “Netflix” platform. With the aim of supporting and empowering Arab female directors through professional guidance, financial support, and cinematic narrative development workshops. The “initiative” resulted in the production of five short films by female directors from Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, and Egypt: “Jarish Salam” by Talah Al-Harbi, “No Trace on the Horizon” by Iman Al-Khalifa, “A Revolution of Rage” by Aisha Shahaltogh, “About Their Ghosts” by Soha Bilal, and “A Second Place” by Haya Al-Ghanem. The program also presents the Lebanese film “The End” by director Rudolf Chedid, which depicts a poetic journey in which a Lebanese couple reflects on their shared memory, after half a century of life together.
According to Fionola Halligan, Director of the International Film Program at the Festival, this year the “Visions of the Red Sea” program presents pioneering works that push the boundaries of cinematic narrative towards new horizons, as cinematic creativity in the Arab world continues to shine and be rich in unique voices that inspire and open new horizons of expression. Among the most prominent films participating in the “Visions of the Red Sea” program are:
“No Land in Sight” UAE… directed by Iman Al-Khalifa:
An emotional and harrowing drama about an unbreakable bond between a mother and her children in the face of war, separation and doubt. Nadia waits for news of her son, Omar, who left in search of safety, and when the expected call comes from the sea, relief turns into horror. As the signal fades, hope diminishes.
“The Finale” Lebanon… directed by Rudolf Chedid:
In an isolated Lebanese village, Naeem and Amal, who have been married for 50 years, find their lives marked by the absence of their children, who left during the war. Amal asks Naeem to write the story of their lives. To regain meaning, they begin an emotional journey through forgotten memories and hidden truths. This story was filmed in a unique cinematic language, embodying the feelings, memories and details that make life exceptional.
“Somewhere Else” Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon… directed by Haya Al-Ghanem:
Ten-year-old Dana flees a troubled home on the coast of Bnaider, Kuwait, to escape her mother’s wrath and in search of herself. Her steps lead her to two teenagers who initially arouse her curiosity, before she realizes that their path is not her path, and that the journey of searching for belonging is still at its beginning.
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“Revolution of Anger” (Cleanse The Streets) Jordan.. directed by Aisha Shahaltogh:
Two sisters run for their lives in a blue truck in the open, escaping the wrath of their father, after a horrific accident. But the darkest truth follows them, and distance does not erase its impact.. Can the house become a home again?
“Jareesh Salam” Saudi Arabia… directed by Tala Al-Harbi:
In the early 2000s, Salma (11 years old) challenges a neighborhood boy to a match to retrieve a red ball, given to her by her late father. The confrontation goes beyond the boundaries of the clay court; To become a rebellion against family expectations.
“Of Burning Memories & Wounds” Egypt… directed by Soha Bilal:
Anisa, a septuagenarian who suffers from Alzheimer’s and dementia, lives in isolation full of neighbours’ stalking, and regaining her motherhood for a family that is no longer there. As for her caregiver, Noura (30 years old), she is preoccupied with the opposite thought: How can she avoid starting a family in the first place?
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