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.
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Charles Aznavour, the son of Armenian immigrants who became a defining voice of France, died in 2018 aged 94. Two years later, his sons, Mischa and Nicolas, announced they had been working with their father on a biopic to be released this year: Aznavour’s centenary. This stunning musical drama is an intimate portrait of the artist’s life that's packed with biographical information. Growing up in poverty gave him an unswerving determination to reach the top; by the 1940s, he was playing cabarets with Pierre Roche, but his ambition was a solo career and a mass audience. Tahir Rahim plays Aznavour in a drama punctuated with disarmingly honest anecdotes from family members, giving us both the man and, of course, his music.
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Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
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In Conversation with the Saudi Pioneers Ibrahim Alhasawi and Meshal Almutairi
Director:
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.
