Saudi Arabia begins screening films after decades-long ban lifted

[webfact]

Saudi Arabia begins screening films after decades-long ban lifted

By Stephen Kalin

 

General view of the new first Saudi cinema at cultural club in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia January 13, 2018. Picture taken January 13, 2018. REUTERS/Reem Baeshen

 

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia began screening feature-length animated children's films this weekend in a makeshift theatre, after a 35-year-old ban on cinemas was lifted in the conservative Islamic kingdom.

 

The first permanent theatres could open as early as March, part of a liberalising reform drive that has already opened the door to concerts, comedy shows and women drivers over the past year.

 

For now, the authorities are sponsoring temporary settings, like the state-run cultural hall in the Red Sea city of Jeddah equipped with a projector, a red carpet and a popcorn machine.

 

"Until now, there is no infrastructure for movie theatres, so we are trying to take advantage of (alternative) venues to approximate the cinematic form," said Mamdouh Salim, whose Cinema 70 brand organised the week-long screenings.

 

"We tried to use these films to be a starting point as the first cinematic screening after the decision on Dec. 11 to permit movie theatres."

 

Cinemas were banned in the early 1980s under pressure from Islamists as Saudi society turned towards a particularly conservative form of religion that discouraged public entertainment and public mixing between men and women.

 

But reforms led by 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have eased many of those restrictions, as the government tries to broaden the economy and lessen its dependence on oil.

 

In a nod to conservatives, films will be censored to make sure they remain in line with the kingdom's "moral values".

 

MORE FUN

 

After watching The Emoji Movie with his wife and daughter on Sunday evening, 28-year-old Sultan al-Otaibi said Saudis are happy to see movies in the theatre instead of staying at home.

 

"It's more comfortable, more fun to have a change of scenery and an activity on the weekend. It is a step that was very late in coming but thank God it's happening now."

 

Thousands of Saudis currently travel to Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and other countries for entertainment. The government wants to retain the money spent on those trips.

 

The authorities expect to open 300 cinemas with 2,000 screens by 2030, building an industry it hopes will contribute more then 90 billion riyals ($24 billion) to the economy and create 30,000 permanent jobs.

 

Regional and international cinema chains are also eyeing the Saudi market, keen to tap the spending power of the young people who make up roughly 70 percent of the population.

 

"I want to see everything because it is something new for Saudi," said 30-year-old movie-goer Ibtisam Abu Talib. "I hope everything is available - action, romance, children's films, comedy. Everything, God willing."

 

(Reporting By Stephen Kalin, editing by Larry King)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-01-15

[AhFarangJa]

By the time they finish with the censorship a full length movie will be 8 minutes long, and that includes the credits......

[Cats4ever]

I doubt if the old Porky's series will get a run. Two reasons I can think of straight away.

Edited January 16, 2018 by Cats4ever
added text

[Darcula]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

The Emoji Movie

 

That's a cruel joke to play on their population after a 35-year ban.

 

[farcanell]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

Thousands of Saudis currently travel to Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and other countries for entertainment. The government wants to retain the money spent on those trips.

Yer right.... they go to watch movies.

maybe allow a little alcohol, and things might change.

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

Is Disney's "Alladin" banned?

[Bluespunk]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

After watching The Emoji Movie with his wife and daughter on Sunday evening, 28-year-old Sultan al-Otaibi said Saudis are happy to see movies in the theatre instead of staying at home.

Awful movie.

 

Staying at home watching paint dry, has more entertainment value.

[55Jay]

On 1/15/2018 at 3:05 PM, webfact said:

It is a step that was very late in coming but thank God it's happening now."

These daft, religious goof balls and their silly god cliches. 

 

No, sister, it was god prohibiting this before. 

 

It's a 32 year old Saudi you should be thanking.  Not "god".  Whatever that means.