Saudi National Day turns spotlight on cinema’s golden years

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Fouad Jamjoom, pictured in the background in a TV studio, set up a chain of eight cinemas. (Supplied)
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Cinema Al-Ahwash (backyard cinemas) operated in a coutryard or yard. (Supplied)
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A movie poster for the Egyptian film ‘Years of Love.’
Updated 23 September 2019
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Saudi National Day turns spotlight on cinema’s golden years

  • ‘Daring cinema pioneer’ opened theaters around Saudi Arabia
  • End to the cinema ban is paving the way for a new generation of Saudi filmmakers 

JEDDAH: More than half a century ago, cinemas were a popular source of entertainment in major cities in the Kingdom. Westerners working for the California State Oil Company (later Aramco) were the first to introduce cinemas to Saudis, setting up large screens in their residential compounds during the 1930s to watch American and European films. Cinemas soon spread to the four major Saudi cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Taif and Abha. There were more than 30 theaters in Jeddah alone, with admission prices ranging up to SR10 ($2.80).
Thuraya Arafah, 70, who worked with the General Administration of Girls Education in Jeddah, recalls visiting Cinema Jamjoom and Cinema Al-Attas in Jeddah.
“They used to show Egyptian films with Farid Al-Atrash, Anwar Wagdi, Shadia, Faten Hamama and Abdel Halim Hafez, all leading actors and actresses still adored to this day,” she told Arab News.
Jomanah Khoja, producer of Al-Arabiya’s documentary Cinema Al-Ahwash (Backyard Cinemas), said the popular movies at the time were mostly Egyptian. “There were also many American movies like James Bond, for example.”
Ticket prices varied from one yard cinema to the next. “The variations of prices, according to some owners we interviewed, said tickets were sold for 2 SAR while others were 20 SAR. The price of the ticket also depended on the movie: If it was a new movie, prices were more expensive.”
The introduction of VHS cassettes was “a key factor in the disappearance of these cinemas,” Khoja said.  
However, in the wake of the 1979 terror attack on the Grand Mosque by Juhayman Al-Otaibi and his followers, conservative voices increasingly spoke out against the spread of cinemas, TV and music. A major social shift occurred that led to cinemas being banned from the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Saudi screenwriter Yasser Hammad said that there were cinemas operating in Taif and Madinah, while in Riyadh cinemas were opened at the Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab sports clubs. Cinemas were also still in use at Aramco facilities in the Eastern Province.
“Jeddah had several. They were called Cinema Al-Ahwash (backyard cinemas). They operated in a house courtyard or in an adjacent yard used initially to accommodate pilgrims with their camels, so I figure this might be their off-season use of the space,” he told Arab News
The city’s theaters included Al-Attas Hotel cinema on the beachfront; Cinema Al-Hindaweya; Cinema Al-Baljoon in Al-Sharafiya district, just off the Old Airport Road; and Cinema Abu-Saffiya, near Bab Sharif, as well as cinemas in the Egyptian and Jordanian embassies. Most were operated by wealthier families who had money to buy or rent cinema projectors, he said.
“The projector would be a 16mm along with a mix of chairs. Films were rented out, and the 16mm film roll was cut into parts, so each cinema would rent out a part of the film and then swap them in the middle. Cinemas had triple bill film screenings, showing an Egyptian film first, followed by either an Italian or an American movie, and finishing  with an Indian movie.”
Hammad said the leader of the era was Fouad Jamjoom, who first went to Egypt in the mid-1950s.
“He was fascinated by cinema and was chasing his dream. He opened a cinema in Tanta, Egypt, which got him more involved in the process of distributing films, which evolved into producing.”
Jamjoom returned to Jeddah in the early 1960s and set up a chain of eight cinemas. “Cinema shops also rented out projectors, films and even promotional material such as film posters. Eid specials showed the latest James Bond films, “Khally Ballak men Zouzou” and other blockbusters,” Hammad said.
Jamjoom censored the films himself, “even though cinema at the time didn’t require much censoring.” He also held premieres and invited Egyptian stars such as Ahmed Ramzy, Farid Shawqi, Magda El-Khatib and others.
Hammad explained that the yard cinemas had only male audiences, except for a few houses that held private screenings for women. “Even the young male audience went to the cinema without their parents knowing,” he said.
“Jamjoom wanted families to attend, and made a theater with a roof and air-conditioning in the mid-1970s that had seating for women in the upper section.”
Hammad said that cinema at the time appealed to a young audience with little to do during their free time. “National television wasn’t as impressive as watching ‘King Kong’ on a large screen,” he said. Shehab Jamjoom, a close relative of the Saudi cinema pioneer, said: “Without a doubt, he was daring, ambitious and had so much determination. He had so much love for the field and would try to overcome any obstacle.
“He was fighting to bring entertainment to people — innocent entertainment — and today it has become accepted and licensed.”
Cinemas officially returned in the Kingdom after a 35-year hiatus in April 2018, with the first screening of Marvel’s “Black Panther” at the AMC cinema in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District. In January 2019, Jeddah witnessed the opening of its first cinema, Vox, at Red Sea Mall. The return of cinema has paved the way for a new generation of Saudi filmmakers.
“Roll ’em,” a drama produced by an all-Saudi team, made its way to movie theaters in March 2019. The lifting of the ban on cinemas is part of widespread social reforms led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.


Saudi, Japanese firms to release new game in MENA

Updated 4 sec ago
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Saudi, Japanese firms to release new game in MENA

  • The action game will immerse players in legendary battles and strategic combat

Riyadh: Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Misk Foundation, has signed a publishing and distribution agreement with Koei Tecmo to release Dynasty Warriors: Origins in the Middle East and North Africa, scheduled for Jan. 17, 2025.

The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, according to a press release.

Manga Productions will collaborate with Koei Tecmo to localize the game for MENA audiences, involving Saudi talents in the process, in addition to handling its publishing and marketing.

The action game will immerse players in legendary battles and strategic combat, set in the iconic Three Kingdoms world of ancient China, appealing to both new and returning fans of the series.

Manga Productions CEO Essam Bukhary said: “Saudi Arabia and the MENA region are among the fastest-growing game markets globally. Manga Productions has successfully produced, distributed, and licensed content in recent years. We’re excited to partner with Koei Tecmo to publish this AAA game and invest in Saudi talent to further develop the gaming and creative industries in the region.”

Koei Tecmo President and Chief Operating Officer Hisashi Koinuma said that this partnership with Manga Productions goes beyond publishing to deliver a fully localized version tailored for regional gaming enthusiasts.

Abdulaziz Alnaghmoosh, business development and content licensing director at Manga Productions, said that video games are a core part of the company’s business. This collaboration offers a unique opportunity to expand into the MENA region, benefiting both parties, he added.


Matcha lovers, anime fans flock to Japan Festival in Riyadh

Updated 25 November 2024
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Matcha lovers, anime fans flock to Japan Festival in Riyadh

  • Festival celebrates Japanese technology and products
  • Major car brands demonstrate new models

RIYADH: Thousands of people flocked to the Japan Festival held recently in Riyadh, which attracted businesspeople, matcha tea lovers, anime fans, and car enthusiasts alike.

Organized jointly by the Embassy of Japan, the Japan External Trade Organization, and the Japanese Society in Riyadh, the festival was held at the Saudi capital’s Cultural Palace and hosted around 8,000 visitors over two days.

A JETRO spokesperson told Arab News that more than a few Japanese have been keeping a close eye on Saudi Arabia’s future potential.

“For Japan, Saudi Arabia has been one of the most important trade partners due to two reasons. One is that Saudi Arabia has been the biggest exporter of crude oil to Japan and the other (is that) Saudi Arabia highly evaluates Japanese technologies, in particular transportation equipment,” the spokesperson said.

On Japan-Saudi exports, the JETRO spokesperson noted that Japanese exports to Saudi Arabia totaled $6.36 billion in 2023, up 25.2 percent from the previous year.

Of that total, transportation equipment accounted for 70.2 percent of total exports. Automobiles grew 31.3 percent to $4.25 billion, with passenger cars and buses/trucks growing 32.8 percent and 24.2 percent respectively.

Imports declined $34.78 billion, down 19.2 percent from the previous year. Crude oil and crude oil imports, which account for 95.7 percent of total imports, declined 17.9 percent to $33.3 billion due to lower crude oil prices and production cuts. In 2023, oil imports from Saudi Arabia accounted for 40.4 percent of Japan’s total.

Major car brands like Mitsubishi and Toyota were on display at the event, as well as several technology, beauty, art and recreational brands.

Trading house Itochu, and Kumon, the children’s educational network, were some of the big name brands participating in the event.

Stage performances showcased a number of Japanese cultural offerings including a drum performance by the students of the Japanese School in Riyadh, a martial arts demonstration, a tea ceremony, umbrella juggling, live painting, and performances of popular traditional and anime songs.

Guests were able to learn about Japanese tourism, play with traditional toys, learn origami, and try on a Japanese kimono or yukata.

Visitors were also educated on Japanese tourism, and enjoyed traditional Japanese toys, calligraphy and craft workshops.

In the booth area, Japanese industrial products with cutting-edge technology and Japanese cars from major brands were displayed.


Camel organization welcomes Saudi HQ approval

Updated 25 November 2024
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Camel organization welcomes Saudi HQ approval

RIYADH: The International Camel Organization welcomed the Saudi Cabinet’s decision to approve a headquarters agreement between the Kingdom’s government and the organization.

The decision reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing support for the camel sector and its efforts to elevate its role internationally, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Fahd bin Falah bin Hathleen, chairman of the camel organization, expressed his gratitude for the Cabinet’s decision.

He said: “The organization has worked over the years to develop strategies and policies to promote the global camel economy. These efforts aim to advance rural and desert communities, preserve heritage and culture, foster scientific research, and encourage camel-related sports that attract global interest.

“Additionally, we have organized international events, expanded partnerships with global organizations, and prioritized camel welfare, health, and regulations governing their movement.”

Bin Hathleen said that the Saudi Cabinet’s decision underscores the government’s commitment, under King Salman’s leadership, to strengthening the organization’s role and enhancing international cooperation in the camel sector.

He noted that the decision aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to foster sustainable development, support key sectors, and boost international collaboration to benefit camel breeders and owners locally, regionally, and globally.

This achievement also supports the Year of the Camel and the International Year of the Camelids 2024 initiatives, which are designed to highlight the untapped potential of the animals, SPA reported.

These initiatives advocate for increased investment, further research, capacity-building, and the adoption of innovative practices and technologies in the camel sector.


3rd Global Conference for Giftedness and Creativity underway in Riyadh

Updated 25 November 2024
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3rd Global Conference for Giftedness and Creativity underway in Riyadh

  • More than 300 talented individuals and local and international speakers from over 50 countries were attending the three-day conference

RIYADH: The third edition of the Global Conference for Giftedness and Creativity opened in Riyadh on Sunday, bringing together a select group of experts and talented individuals in science, technology, and innovation.

More than 300 talented individuals and local and international speakers from over 50 countries were attending the three-day conference, which was inaugurated by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, governor of Riyadh region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, also known as "Mawhiba," the conference is being held at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) until Tuesday.

Themed "Beyond Creative Minds," the conference aims to showcase the potential of the gifted, develop a comprehensive care system to support them, bolster integration and strategic partnerships, and enhance opportunities for global exchange and cooperation.

An exhibition and various cultural visits are being held on the conference sidelines, the SPA report said.

According to the Mawhiba site, the conference reflects the success achieved in the two previous editions, and "provides an opportunity for partners to contribute to sponsoring the journey of talented people from different countries of the world."

 

 


Saudi-European talks to strengthen cooperation in environmental fields

Updated 25 November 2024
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Saudi-European talks to strengthen cooperation in environmental fields

  • Saudi minister, EU security and political officials discuss reinforcing existing work on coping with climate change

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir met with European officials on Sunday in Riyadh, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Jubeir, who is also the Saudi climate envoy, held talks with Delphine Pronk, chair of the EU Political and Security Committee, and Luigi Di Maio, EU special representative for the Gulf region.

They discussed issues surrounding climate change and environmental cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the EU, as well as ways in which existing cooperation on tackling climate change could be strengthened. They also talked about the recent development in foreign policy in Europe and the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia maintains a strong dialogue with the EU, with both parties sharing views on several foreign policy issues, including the Saudi-led Arab Peace Initiative for the Middle East.

The EU and Saudi Arabia are also linked through trade relations, with the EU becoming the Kingdom’s second main trading partner after the volume of trade exchange between Riyadh and Brussels peaked at $80 billion in 2023.