A magical first year at the movies as Saudi cinemas herald big screen revival

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John Travolta joins a discussion in Riyadh on the future of cinema in the Kingdom. (AFP)
Updated 20 April 2019
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A magical first year at the movies as Saudi cinemas herald big screen revival

  • Films are no longer ‘coming soon’ — there are now six cinemas in Riyadh and Jeddah, with many more on the way across the Kingdom

The seats have been filled, the popcorn bought and, for the past 12 months, the magic of the movies has been casting a spell over the Kingdom, where the buzz of the big screen had been a dim and distant memory. It has been a year since, as part of the country’s Vision 2030 program of reforms, Saudi Arabia lifted a 35-year ban on cinemas, paving the way for theater chains to unveil ambitious plans to open hundreds of cinemas, with thousands of screens, across the nation in the next decade. And moviegoers just cannot get enough of it, regularly packing out screenings at the first venues to open in Riyadh and Jeddah.

To mark the first anniversary, Arab News asked entertainment chiefs what they have learned from Saudi audiences since that historic first screening of Marvel’s “Black Panther” on April 18, 2018 at the AMC cinema in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District.

Superhero fantasies, comedies and action dramas have proved most popular with audiences, who have flocked to a mix of global box-office hits and regional films.

VOX Cinemas — Saudi Arabia’s biggest movie operator, with plans to invest SR2billion ($533 million) to open 600 screens by 2023 — said it released 114 films across the Kingdom in the past year. The biggest money spinner was Marvel superhero movie “Captain Marvel,” which broke through the billion-dollar global box-office barrier this month — followed by “Cold Pursuit,” an American black-comedy action film starring Liam Neeson, and “Aquaman,” another superhero movie, this time based on a DC Comics character

Rounding out the top 10 list was M. Night Shyamalan’s fantasy-drama sequel “Glass,” Egyptian comedy “Nadi Elregal Elsary,” horror thriller “Us,” science fiction thriller “Alita: Battle Angel,” US superhero film “Shazam!”, Egyptian comedy “El Badla” and Hollywood comedy-drama “The Upside,” according to Cameron Mitchell, CEO of Majid Al-Futtaim Cinemas, of which VOX Cinemas is a subsidiary. “El Badla” had the distinction of being the longest-running film in the country over the past 12 months.

VOX Cinemas was granted its license to operate in the Kingdom in April last year and opened its first multiplex in Riyadh Park in the same month. It has four screens, including an IMAX screen and VOX Kids, the first dedicated children’s theater in the Middle East.

“Since launching Saudi Arabia’s first multiplex in April 2018, the Majid Al-Futtaim group has been delighted by the response from our guests in the Kingdom,” said Mitchell. “In the 12 months since obtaining our license, Majid Al-Futtaim has built five locations with a total of 47 screens, and is planning to open at least another 70 screens this year, on track to reaching our goal of 600 screens in Saudi Arabia by 2023.”

VOX now has three additional locations in Riyadh: a luxury cinema in Kingdom Tower, which opened this week; Al-Qasr Mall; and The Roof in Alyasmin District. This year the chain also opened the first multiplex in Jeddah, at Red Sea Mall.

“Our Saudi Arabian team is proving to be talented and passionate, and is offering a service level and entertainment experience comparable with the highest international standards, with particularly our VOX Kids and IMAX experiences delighting guests in Riyadh and Jeddah,” said Mitchell.

“We are honored to be supporting the 2030 Vision of Saudi Arabia, which noted that ‘culture and entertainment are indispensable to our quality of life,’ and our teams will continue to work tirelessly to meet our vision of creating great moments for everyone every day.”

Films are proving so popular that cinemagoers are having to book well in advance, and Mitchell said 95 percent of the tickets so far sold for Riyadh Park — which screened 82 films in 2018 — were booked online.

“We see this trend continuing with all new openings, as guests want to ensure they are securing seats,” he added.

VOX now has 39 screens and plans to open a further 110 by the end of the year. These will include the first multiplexes in the Eastern Region and Tabuk.

Collectively, VOX and another leading operator in the region, Carnival Cinemas, plan to open nearly 1,000 screens across the Kingdom, according to experts at the Cinema Build KSA Forum in Riyadh this month, which was organized to explore opportunities in the emerging sector.

“Carnival envisions operating about 300-plus screens over the next five years in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Sunil Puthan Veettil, the company’s managing director. “Our mission is to take a good-quality movie-watching experience close to the people in the country. For this, we have made a study of all the provinces and identified several locations, subject to approval. Our idea is to move to all these provinces to set up entertainment centers and to make Carnival synonymous with cinema across the country.”

During the forum, Saudi officials estimated that by 2030, the number of cinemas in operation could be as high as 350, with as many as 2,500 screens. 

Cinema operating licenses have also been awarded to: AMC Theaters, an American chain owned and operated by Wanda Group; the Al-Rashed Empire Cinema Consortium, which plans to build 30 theaters in the country over the next three years; and Lux Entertainment, in partnership with Cinepolis, the biggest cineplex chain in Mexico, Al-Hokair Group for Tourism and Development, a Saudi-based hospitality and entertainment group, and Al Tayer Group, one of the leading companies in the field of retail operation in the UAE and the wider GCC. 

Lux announced in October plans for 300 screens in 15 cities across Saudi Arabia by 2030.

Other operators, including Gulf-based Novo Cinemas, which has announced it is in talks to roll out in Saudi Arabia, have also registered an interest.

John Sullivan, director of The Light Cinemas, a British independent chain, said it recently joined forces with new cinema brand Muvi to launch the Kingdom’s “very first all-Saudi Arabian cinema group,” which plans to open 15 locations across the country, including in Riyadh and Dammam.

“I think it is crucial for property owners in particular to understand their responsibility for figuring out what the cinema will deliver to their assets, and how to deliver that, rather than abdicate their responsibilities to others,” he said.

Regarding the investment opportunities that have opened up in the Kingdom, Sullivan added: “The market at the moment is emerging; we don’t know where it will go. I’ve opened cinemas now in 30 countries around the world and every single one of them is entirely different, so you will not know what’s happening in cinemas here for probably one to two years; then we will have a better understanding of the market.”

Gino Haddad, the managing director of Empire Cinemas, said that the potential Saudi market “is estimated to be almost as big as the whole (of the rest of the) Middle East.”

“So when the market opened up for cinemas, all the operators had full eyes on the Saudi market because it means big numbers,” he added. “We are estimating the market at least to be up to 2,000 screens, and we are very much interested in developing this market.

“We also want to focus on the educational side of cinema; we want to help bring up the new generation to understand and to live with cinema and perceive it not only as entertainment, but also as their future careers.”

The General Authority for Entertainment has indicated that SR267 billion is needed to build suitable infrastructure to serve the entertainment sector across the Kingdom, with expected investments in the sector expected to reach SR18 billion annually, according to a 2018 report from Flanders Investment and Trade.

This month, the Saudi government announced that SR131 billion will be invested in building cinemas and theaters, mainly in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.

According to a study by PwC Middle East, a global advisory firm, the Kingdom’s cinema industry — which will serve a population of more than 32 million, the majority of whom are under the age of 30 — is expected to generate $1.5 billion in annual revenue by 2030.

“The world is witnessing Saudi Arabia’s confident steps toward an unprecedented era of social and economic reforms,” said Leila Masinaei, a managing partner at Great Minds Event Management, which staged the Cinema Build KSA Forum.

“The lifting of the cinema ban opens doors to untrodden ground for investments and lucrative revenue streams for the Kingdom.” 


34th Saudi Build Exhibition opens in Riyadh

Updated 04 November 2024
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34th Saudi Build Exhibition opens in Riyadh

  • Event features more than 600 exhibitors from 31 countries
  • Show provides ‘insights into the future of the industry,’ exhibitor says

RIYADH: More than 600 companies from 31 countries are taking part in this year’s Saudi Build Exhibition, which opened on Monday in the Saudi capital.

The largest platform for the construction industry in the region, the event runs until Thursday at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center. It was officially opened by Deputy Minister of Municipalities and Housing Ehab Ghazi Al-Hashani, who visited several of exhibitors to see for himself some of the latest innovations in the sector.

Prince Saud bin Turki Al-Faisal, chairman of Riyadh Exhibitions Co. which organized the exhibition, thanked Al-Hashani for his support and said that this year’s show — its 34th edition — would contribute to the Kingdom’s ambitions to build a diverse and sustainable economy.

He also highlighted the latest techniques being used in the industry that align with the ministry’s strategy and wider objectives of Vision 2030.

The Saudi Build Exhibition was first held in 1981 and is now an annual event. It is the longest-running building and construction exhibition and summit in the region. This year’s show coincides with a high point in the Kingdom’s construction industry, including the development of major projects for Expo 2030.

Among the products and technologies on show are sustainable building materials, smart city solutions, energy-efficient building systems, the latest equipment and machinery, and water and waste management solutions.

Mohamed El-Toukhy of Al-Zamil Group, which is one of the exhibitors, told Arab News: “It is a big platform for us working in this sector and a good opportunity for networking as it provides a valuable platform for local and international companies to showcase their products and services, network with industry professionals and explore new business opportunities.

“It also offers a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about the latest trends and innovations in the construction sector and gain insights into the future of the industry.”


Saudi interior minister launches digital transformation project to boost Kingdom’s security capabilities

Updated 04 November 2024
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Saudi interior minister launches digital transformation project to boost Kingdom’s security capabilities

  • Prince Abdulaziz visited the Special Forces Command for Security and Protection in Riyadh to oversee the progress of operations

RIYADH: A new digital transformation project aimed at advancing the Kingdom’s security capabilities was inaugurated on Monday by Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz.

Prince Abdulaziz visited the Special Forces Command for Security and Protection in Riyadh to oversee the progress of operations and launch the new initiative.

Commander of the Special Forces for Security and Protection Marine Maj. Gen. Mansour bin Nasser Al-Fayez presented an overview of the project, which involves the development of 12 administrative systems designed to streamline processes and improve operational efficiency, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Command and control centers will be enhanced with artificial intelligence technologies to support strategic operations, SPA added.

Prince Abdulaziz was also briefed on the deployment of “smart patrols,” which are outfitted with the latest tracking and monitoring equipment, security documentation tools, and drones to enhance field operations.

These high-tech patrols aim to bolster the forces’ ability to respond rapidly and efficiently to various security needs.

Prince Abdulaziz was joined on the visit by several officials including his deputy Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Daoud and Maj. Gen. Shaya bin Salem Al-Wadani, director-general of the Saudi Border Guards.


Saudi Crown Prince congratulates Tunisian president on re-election, discusses relations

Updated 04 November 2024
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Saudi Crown Prince congratulates Tunisian president on re-election, discusses relations

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call with Tunisian President Kais Saied on Monday to discuss relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Tunisian Republic, focusing on enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors.

During the conversation, Prince Mohammed extended his congratulations to Saied on his recent re-election for a second term, reaffirming the Kingdom’s support and well-wishes for continued success.

President Saied won a resounding 90 percent of the vote in last month’s election, according to Tunisia’s electoral commission.

The two leaders reviewed opportunities to expand collaboration in areas that benefit both nations, underscoring the “strong and brotherly relationship between Saudi Arabia and Tunisia,” Saudi Press Agency reported.


Alliance Francaise opens new center at Jeddah’s Hayy Jameel

Updated 04 November 2024
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Alliance Francaise opens new center at Jeddah’s Hayy Jameel

  • Learning language ‘builds understanding,’ French ambassador to Kingdom says
  • New facility joins others in Riyadh and Alkhobar

JEDDAH: Alliance Francaise, the international institute and cultural center for the French language, on Sunday celebrated the grand opening of its new branch in Hayy Jameel, Jeddah.

The event was attended by various personalities and diplomats and included speeches from French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Maisonnave, French Consul General Mohammed Nehad, Art Jameel founder Fady Jameel and Alliance Francaise President Zahir Al-Monajed.

“Learning a language, especially in today’s world, demonstrates a genuine curiosity and openness to other cultures. It fosters dialogue, builds understanding and ultimately contributes to a more peaceful global dynamic,” Maisonnave told Arab News.

“Through centers like Alliance Francaise, we can create partnerships beyond language such as in business, art and beyond to show the world that the French language is both accessible and enriching.”

Maisonnave said Alliance Francaise now operated in more than 150 countries and that its goal was to foster interest in the French language as a cultural bridge to connect societies.

Jameel said: “We are delighted that Alliance Francaise is joining Hayy Jameel to make a significant contribution to the cultural community here. In recent years, we have witnessed and proudly supported the growth of Saudi-French cultural ties.

“Our French partners have been instrumental in enhancing the Saudi art scene in the Kingdom and we look forward to further developing this relationship.”

Nehad said: “We chose Hayy Jameel as our new home because it’s a vibrant and cultural hub, which makes it an ideal place to reach more Saudi students and expand our activities.

“Our mission here in Jeddah is, first and foremost, to teach French to both Saudi and international students and to foster a creative atmosphere with activities in art, cinema and drawing.”

He described Alliance Francaise as “our cultural partner” and said several new initiatives were being considered, including a 48-hour film challenge and collaborative digital art projects.

“As the cooler season approaches, we view this as an ideal opportunity to roll out a variety of creative activities, from cinema and music to collaborations with French artists in Saudi Arabia,” he said.

Larry Lamartiniere, managing director of the Jeddah branch of Alliance Francaise said: “This is not just a language center, we aim to ensure that culture plays a significant role in our promotion of the French language. Relocating to Hayy Jameel was an ideal decision.”

The new location would allow the organization to screen French films at the independent Hayy Cinema and engage in art and culinary collaborations, he said.

Lamartiniere also noted the center’s close ties with the French Embassy and Consulate.

“Every cultural initiative organized by the officials includes Alliance Francaise as a partner,” he said.

The center currently has about 80 students per session and offers classes for various ages and proficiency levels, as well as weekly cultural workshops, storytelling and craft projects for children.

Lamartiniere said that a new session of classes would start later this month covering language, digital art, music and painting.

“Now that many people are fluent in English, they’re turning their curiosity to other languages. French remains one of the top languages globally and many Saudis want to learn it before traveling to France,” he said.


Treasure trove unveiled at Jewels of the World in Riyadh

Top local and international jewelry designers are displaying their latest pieces at the Jewels of the World exhibition in Riyadh
Updated 04 November 2024
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Treasure trove unveiled at Jewels of the World in Riyadh

  • The event will run until Nov. 6, and features brands showing watches, necklaces, rings, earrings, as well as a range of pieces incorporating diamond, gold, and silver

RIYADH: Everything that glitters could be gold at the Jewels of the World exhibition in Riyadh, where top local and international jewelry designers are displaying their latest pieces to entice the region’s clientele.

The event, inaugurated by Karim Al-Anzi, president of the National Committee for Precious Metals and Gemstones, will run until Nov. 6, and features brands showing watches, necklaces, rings, earrings, as well as a range of pieces incorporating diamond, gold, and silver.

The opening night drew crowds of jewelry enthusiasts eager to meet top designers and trendsetters in the industry.

The Jewels of the World is an exclusive boutique event “celebrating the elegant craftmanship of these distinctive pieces,” according to Nader Freiha, the organizer of the exhibition.

The event, inaugurated by Karim Al-Anzi, president of the National Committee for Precious Metals and Gemstones, is organized by Nader Freiha (R). (Supplied)

Saudi Arabia is making major strides toward solidifying its status as a global hub for many industries by hosting various events, he told Arab News.

The exhibition “gathers prominent talent from around the world to showcase their creativity and amazing designs,” he added.

“We are excited to celebrate our 10th jewelry and watches exhibition in the Kingdom, having started this journey in 2016,” Freiha said. “To mark this special occasion, we’ve created 10 unique AI-generated paintings, each reflecting one of the past editions we’ve held. You can view all 10 paintings on display as we commemorate this milestone.”

One of the exhibition highlights is designer Karen Suen’s display featuring a necklace crafted with about 80 carats of emeralds and diamonds.

Designer Karen Suen poses with her display. (Supplied)

The Jewels of the World exhibition features more than 60 jewelry brands from around the world whose collections reflect various styles, from contemporary to one-of-a-kind designs. With their diamond, gold and other precious gemstones, the intricate and innovative craftmanship on display is captivating guests.

Atef Nsouli, chairman of Nsouli Jewelry, noted a significant upward trend in jewelry design, with both local and regional markets showing great promise. He said that the Saudi community has a sophisticated taste for jewelry and diamonds, actively seeking the best pieces while keenly following the latest fashion trends and high-quality craftsmanship.

Nsouli expressed optimism about the sector’s future, emphasizing that quality lies at the forefront of competitiveness among manufacturers and retailers.

Rashid Al-Emadi, executive director of Qatar’s Blue Diamond Group, commented on the continuous evolution of the jewelry sector within the Qatari group to meet the needs of connoisseurs in the Gulf country and the region.

He said people in GCC countries have developed a deep understanding of jewelry, including its types and the precision involved in its production, adding that the regional audience has a refined sense of style and knows exactly what to wear for any occasion.

Al-Emadi also noted that the Saudi market is experiencing intense competition, particularly when it comes to innovative design.