In Conversation with the Saudi Pioneers Ibrahim Alhasawi and Meshal Almutairi
Two pioneers of Saudi cinema have played a crucial role in energizing the industry. Each has dedicated their talents to supporting young Saudi filmmakers, fostering creativity and innovation, and bringing untold stories to the screen. Their efforts have helped cinema tap into the wealth of experience already gained in theater and, above all, television.
In this conversation, we explore the significance of traditional narratives crafted by exceptional actors, whose work has given young Saudi cinema a distinct identity. The contributions of two actors, formerly active in television series, are now working to elevate the role of actors in Saudi cinema.
Ibrahim Alhasawi
Ibrahim Alhasawi is a pioneering figure in Saudi drama and cinema. He is an actor, producer, and director having a career that spans over five decades. He began his journey in theater and wrote numerous colloquial poems, garnering numerous awards and honors throughout his career.
Alhasawi is renowned for his complex and impactful roles. He has delivered exceptional performances in numerous television series such as "Tash Ma Tash," "Layla," and "Atr Al Jannah." In the realm of cinema, he has participated in over 11 films, several of which have won local, Gulf, and international awards. Among his most prominent cinematic participations, he appeared in the Bahraini film "Al Shajara Al Na’ima" (the sleeping tree) directed by Mohamedd Rashed Buali, and the Emirati film "Kabl An Nansa" (before We Forget) directed by Nawaf Al Janahi.
Alhasawi has also shone in Saudi films such as "Al Masafa Sifr" (Zero Distance) directed by Abdulaziz Alshlahei, "Raven Song" directed by Mohammad Alsalman, and "Hajjan" directed by Abu Bakr Shawky. Today, he is collaborating once again with director Abdulaziz Alshlahei in the new film "Hobal," which is being screened at the fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival.
Meshal Almutairi
Meshal Almutairi is a Saudi actor and producer who has contributed significantly to the vitality of Saudi cinema. He has produced numerous exceptional works, most notably series such as "Al Huboob" and "Om Al Qalayed," as well as programs like "Sheft Al Layl" and "Al Mashhad Al Akhir."
Almutairi has also played leading roles in several films and series, including "Kayf Lhal," "Arba'un Yawman wa Laylah," and "Tash Ma Tash." At the fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, his films "Hobal" directed by Abdulaziz Alshlahei and "Holes" directed by Abdulmohsen Aldhabaan are being screened.
Meshal has received numerous awards in recognition of his creativity, including the Best Actor award at the Saudi Film Festival in 2021.
Other movies
IRKALLA: GILGAMESH'S DREAM
Director: Mohamed Jabarah Al-Daradji
Nine-year-old dreamer Chum-Chum and Moody, a tough 13-year-old, navigate the harsh streets of Baghdad. Moody is obsessed with escaping to the Netherlands with Chum-Chum and his sister, Sara. Things changes when they meet Maryam, a fiery woman who has converted an old double-decker bus into a mobile school for street kids. After Maryam shows Chum-Chum an animation about the mythical hero Gilgamesh’s journey to the underworld, a new obsession takes hold. But Chum-Chum’s dream collides with a dark secret: Moody’s alliance with a ruthless militia leader and his plot to bomb protestors. Chum-Chum must now confront a brutal reality. Can one child's mythical quest save his friend, or will Moody’s dark path consume them both?
LOST LAND
Director: Akio Fujimoto
In this quietly powerful, first-ever Rohingya-language feature, Japanese filmmaker Akio Fujimoto offers a haunting, intimate portrait of two siblings fleeing persecution in Myanmar. With nothing but vague directions and each other, nine-year-old Somira and her younger brother Shafi begin a harrowing journey to join an uncle in Malaysia, crossing borders by sea and land and navigating a world shaped by smugglers, fear and exploitation. With a cast of non-professional actors, most of whom lived refugee experiences, the film blends realism with lyrical restraint. Eschewing melodrama for quiet observation, Fujimoto captures the disorientation of displacement and the uncertainty of fragile hopes. Lost Land is a timely, deeply human reflection on survival, resilience and the Rohingya’s eternal search for a place to call home.