18 July for many was to have been a jubilant and enjoyable day in the seaside city of Jeddah with the opening event of the first Saudi film festival. This was to have been an opportunity for Saudi filmmakers to showcase their talents, promote the culture, traditions and history of the Kingdom as well as the ability to meet and interact with peers. But sadly that did not happen. At the last minute with no advance notice, justification or any kind of reason given, the Ministry of Interior ordered for the event to be cancelled. There are various speculations for the reasons this has occurred which include bowing to pressure from influential conservatives who view films as evil and spouting unislamic diatribe and activities.
It is sad for in the 1960’s and 1970’s films were publicly shown in Saudi Arabia. I have had a number of Saudis tell me how much they enjoyed viewing the classic movies of the time and making the occasion an enjoyable family venture.
Saudi Arabia says it wishes to promote its culture and wants to see Saudi Arabia as a popular tourist destination. Yet it 
seems to me that instead such actions as cancelling the film festival are in the opposite direction and in fact, prohibit the culture of Saudi Arabia from being seen and recognized. Let’s think about it…in one way, the annual Janadriyah festival can be viewed as similar to holding an annual film festival. Janadriyal also showcases the history, traditions and culture of Saudi Arabia. Groups of Saudis perform traditional dances, songs, dishes and activities live. Their performance could be compared as one viewing live theatre and not all that different from films made and produced by Saudis which also promote Saudi Arabia history, traditions and culture. And both send out positive images of Saudi Arabia as a nation and can go a long way towards dispelling the negative myths and perceptions of Saudi Arabia.
And returning back to the cancellation of the film festival at the last minute, I also wonder about the economic impact this has caused. Think of the participants who planned and arrived in Jeddah ready to showcase their talent. What kind of mental impact has such a decision placed on them as well?
In closing this post, what are YOUR thoughts about the actions and decisions taken to cancel the film festival? Do you believe this action is detrimental in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote tourism? What do these decisions mean for also promoting Saudi Arabia’s historic culture?
Filed under: culture, Economy, Entertainment, Freedoms, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, Saudi Living, Technology, travel, Uncategorized Tagged: | culture, culture shock, customs, heritage, history, Jeddah, KSA, places, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, travel
It is very hard to get oneself to answer totally misleading and inaccurate information.
As if you didn’t know, there is and there was always a specific law forbidding cinemas in Saudi Arabia.
In the past there were a couple of fenced lands in Jeddah and one in Makkah that were showing movies, as well as ALAttas hotel in Abhur. All individuals who where never regulated nor allowed officially.
The only other place was Aramco in Dhahran. It was never legal. It was never sanctioned by the government. The operators in Jeddah and Makkah where caught and their operations ceased.
The people who canceled the festival in Jeddah are the same people who never got the permission to hold the festival to begin with.
The Ministry of the interior refused to even discuss the issue of granting such permission for four strait months prior to the opining date of the festival.
They were warned and warned, they never listened.
A week before the festival Prince Nayef personally and explicitly talked about cinemas being prohibited by law in this country. Still no response from Mr. Mayor. Until one night before the festival. He told everybody that it was canceled. It was never allowed Mr. Mayor.
The mayor of Jeddah toke a gamble (as he did a couple of times before) and it backfired at him.
Cinemas have to be introduced to Saudi in a gradual and orderly way.
Rotana was doing that and the government was monitoring public reaction very carefully. They were trying to educate the people about the concept and trying to get them to like it or at least live with it.
But to go to a far fledged festival is a bit much if the law specifically forbids it. Rotana knows it. They and the Mayor tried to circumvented. Now we live with the consequences of such stupid action.
I say stupid because I love movies. I would love to go to the movies in Jeddah and Riyadh and everywhere in Saudi. But we have to follow the usual Saudi tradition, of taking our time to educate our people about this medium!
I think it’s a real pity, and especially mean and petty to do it the way it was done.
I think the plan behind it is to make it very unattractive for the future, as people had allready flown in and made a lot of costs, and they will think twice before they come again.
It’s the action of a bully.
”Tourism” don’t make me laugh!
The ”powers that be” in KSA don’t promote culture at all, on the contrary, they seem to be bend to destroy any sign of culture which goes beyond the antiquated primitive tribal customs of the primitive tribes of the deep desert where the ”Powers that be” are originating from themselves. They have been destroying the cultures of the eastern province and the hijaz for many decades now, and the new generations are getting so successfully indoctrinated that many young saudis don’t even know anymore they had beauty, music, culture, before the barbarians came and destroyed it all.
Really sad.
I always considered culture the most worthwhile heritage a person, or people or nation can leave behind.
There have been numerous stories available on the web about the Saudi penchant to destroy history. That is done either carelessly when modernizing cities or purposefully when they are worried that the existence of some historical artifact promotes idolotry. With that kind of ‘culture’ how can you have tourism? You can’t have modern beaches because of the modesty cult and you can’t have historical tours because someone may see pre-Islamic history.
it seems you’re specialized in promoting certain thoughts and ideas that has a negative view of our government and culture.
I’ve tried to post the facts about the misinformation you tried to pass to your readers in your post today, but you wouldn’t post it!
Yet you allowed others (the two that came after me) who conform to your point of view (or should I say your negative point of view) to post their comments in your blog.
could you please explain what is happening here!
Thank you for posting five hours after the fact!
Before you start your reply i wan you to understand why I got upset by some of the posts in here. It’s some thing that could pass as acceptable if you allow people to generalize in their comments by saying “They have been destroying the cultures of the eastern province and the hijaz for many decades now” about our government over a couple of incidents where the local authorities out stepped their boundaries. But it’s not ok or acceptable for a supposedly fair and civilized person like you to accept a racist comment “antiquated primitive tribal customs of the primitive tribes of the deep desert where the ”Powers that be” are originating from themselves” in the same post you gladly left for all to see. A primitive tribe can’t build a country out of nothing. And our “primitive culture” kept us at the helm of cultures around the world.
The above comment that was sanctioned by you is insulting to the Royal Family and each and ever tribe of which Saudi as a country represents!
Yep, tourism …. try and get a Visa!
I’ll begin with first responding to Saudiaspire – all first time individuals to my blog will have their comments go into moderation. This is pretty standard with all blogs. Now unlike what some readers may think, I really do not spend 24/7 on the blog hence the five hour delay in having your comments published!
I am disturbed by the comment that the Saudi people need to be educated on how to view films. I don’t understand the genesis of that comment particularly taking into account what is shown and available on tv in the Kingdom. Why do the people need to be educated? Can they not form their own views and conclusions?
@Jerry – A group of media representatives from the GCC recently departed from an official tourism tour of the Kingdom which did indeed included Maidan Al Saleh and Al Ula so I hope that is an indication of further opening and preserving the heritage. I value and will never forget my own visit to Maidan Al Saleh and the surrounding tombs – absolutely fascinating.
@Aafke – It is difficult to comprehend how such a festival had been advertised broadly and openly then to last minute cancel out as such. I would welcome hearing from anyone who had planned to participate in the event and learn their point of view and experience.
I mean we have all heard of incidences of a concert or a play getting canceled due to an illness or an accident but I cannot recall an entire event/festival being canceled anywhere like this one with little to no notice.
This isn’t the first saudi film festival, it’s the fourth. The festival ran for three years without incident.
The difference now? Prince Waleed is sponsoring the festival.
As for what I think of Prince Waleed: I doubt you would allow them to be published on your blog so I’ll just say they are not very nice.
Saudi Aspire, I was not generalising I was being pretty precise. Sorry you didn’t notice that.
The eastern province and the hijaz had cultures which have been wiped out.
The Al Sauds never did anything on their own, and certainly the desert tribes never built any country. they had help and backing from England, they ruled the people (still do) by brute force, and they used the knowledgable and intelligent people from the hijaz and EP to do the actual administrative work.
After the English the Americans took over helping the saudis, and the key to all that is oil, and money.
Today the saudi country is being run by expats.
Without oil and expat workers Saudi Arabia ould be a primitive poverty stricken backwater like Yemen. And in fact many people living in KSA àre living in abject poverty becasue all that oil wealth is being usurped by a small segment of the populatiopn and their acolites.
Don’t blame Carol for publishing something which is negative, she did not abolish the festival. The people who were responsible for abolishing the festival were saudis.
Oh dear, so the Saudis fucked up and it is being discussed all over the blogsphere.
Deal with it.
Mohamed S.
I think it’s prince Naif, he’s taking over. He’s going to take KSA further back in into darkness as it has ever been.
Wow Aafke good job on that well researched article on a country you’ve never visited to teach a Hijazi about his own culture. Good job.
“But we have to follow the usual Saudi tradition, of taking our time to educate our people about this medium!”
Are you for real. Like us Saudi’s have never seen a movie before (hint look up the word DVD). You actually bought into the line that Saudi change has to be slow. They’ve been feeding the citizens that line for 80 years. Change happens all over the world and it is not regulated. What the Saudi government is doing is trying to control change. When you and the rest of the country understand that then we will actually get serious about improving the country. In the mean time the country’s culture, education, governing systems, etc. continue to deteriorate in front of our eyes, because any change is considered too fast.
By the way if you think the government built all what you see in the country based on their own ability, not the armies of expats that provided consultation in everything from how to run a military to how to build a simple bridge and anything in between, you are simply naive.
Aafke
So your problem is the royal family!
Saudi Arabia is here to stay. People from every region and all over the country are participating in its development.
When we need expatriates from anywhere in the world we invite them to help. And we appreciate their help.
Yes we have oil. Yes it is paying for everything. Yes we are happy with where we are today. Yes we are looking forward to a better and a brighter future. And yes we are working on it with the help of our royal family and the whole population. So you deal and live with that!
Mohamed S
“Well researched” you are very funny indeed ☺
Saudi in the U.S.
Please don’t take my words out of context.
What I meant by writing that is the fact that we have to let them know that it isn’t evil as it has been portrait by some elements in our society.
When I pointed to the accomplishment of our people I never said they have don it alone. it would’ve been not only naive but stupid. I spent my life fighting people who discriminate and hate like the guy who (according to Mohamed S) never even visited the country).
Prince Naif is awesome. May Allah bless his soul and reward him highest of the paradise.
@saudiaspire
I agree with your comments.
The fact about other commentators as you mentioned is that though they are provided with facts and proofs they like to go about in circles harping on their own prejudices and half baked data.
Also some of the commentators you mentioned have posted extremely anti-saudi and also prejudiced anti-muslim comments in the past, and i am not surprised of them saying the same old things.
Also time and again, i can quote multiple examples of commentators deviating from the blog topic and commenting on it (which happen’s to be against carol’s defined BLOG RULES) yet she allows it.
So this blog is turning out to be nothing but just advocating of prejudices propagated by a group who simply likes to bash Saudi Arabia.
I don’t think cancelling film festivals and events showcasing saudi culture is the way to go about “promoting tourism”. There’s always a choice, the saudi govt can simply say, the only tourism that’s ok is the Haj one and be done with it. the govt can cater to that section alone well.
Lots of people would be fascinated to see traditional dances, partake of the food and visit historical places , interact with locals etc., I do belive the kingdom has a lot to offer, but they need to learn one key concept – CHOICE.. free choice. Most tourists wil respect the tradition and norms of an area they are visiting .
and i don’t belive change should be slow or paced and the key to change does not lie in treating a whole population like they are 5 yr olds.As Adults we have a choice , a choice to live right or wrong ,a choice to commit sins or not , a choice to be morally right or wrong, Why do the head honchos there think the people will be morally degraded by watching a few movies.. After all 20+ means you have a fully functional brain right. A brain to decide what you want for yourself and really why care if I as an adult human decide to rot in hell , after all this is a free world.
Saudi Arabia’s stuck between those who wishes to lead the country into modernity at a faster and that of its opposite.
It definitely takes time for modernity to fully reach the country since some do not agree with certain aspects of modernisation. While movies can be fun and interesting to watch as a family or with friends, there are those that do not go along with the cultures and mores of the country itself.
But than to do things illegally, by downloading uncensored movies over the internet, wouldn’t allowing film festivals that goes with the appropriate culture be allowed?
While Saudi Arabia tries to promote the country as a family-friendly tourist destination, it has a lot of work to do in clearing misconceptions amongst many. Organising events without the necessary permits is just not right.
I do hope to see Saudi Arabia being portrayed in a more positive way through films of it’s own production and being able to be showcased in its home country.
KSA is still a very young country, I think that the rulers need to be given some slack here. They are walking a tightrope of trying to be ‘more open’ along with their obligation to also remain true and respectful to the birthplace of Islam.
I think the cancelation of the event was perhaps to embarrass those responsible for promoting it without permission….if what has been said above is true. But, we obviously don’t know all of the facts, so we’ll never understand the exact reasoning behind their decision.
It’s very unfortunate, however, for those that were prepared for the event (and who made the effort to come here to put it on) had to suffer the consequences of the cancelation.
But hey, that’s life in KSA…never a dull moment.
Personally, I think that the event should be held in Bahrain where the Saudis, and rulers, who are interested can go freely and see it until it’s accepted here in this country.
My 2 cents … for what it’s worth.
@Abu Abdullah: you say this blog only advocates for hatred against saudi arabia and so on. Well, I have to respectfully disagree… While you perceive it as a place to insult ur country, I only see it as a space for discussing issues that sometimes migh be polemic but that at the end of the day recognize the diversity of thought in this world, of course there is a price that comes with this features and it is that we might not agree with al that it is said, but at least at the end of the day it lets u think about this things and create ur own opinion, therefore, you shouldn’t take all the opinions that dont go with u as a personal attack or an attack to ur ppl, just use it to grow as a more informed person.
I am one of those who has never been to Saudi Arabia, yet that doesnt mean that I dont have the right of an opinion and I think this blog enriches my knowledge and by no means makes me have a low opinion of KSA…
@morita, I agree with you.
@Carol, Don’t be offended by Abu Abdullah. You do a wonderful job presenting your articles on the Saudi Arabia in a most diplomatic and intelligent manner, with the utmost respect for the country, while allowing everyone to voice their opinions…positively or negatively.
It’s a wonderful place for expats and Saudis to get to know about one another’s feelings on issues in a very safe environment. Perhaps, our very outspoken manner upsets some, but we are just voicing our OWN opinions, and I think it’s safe to say that most people understand that. Keep on writing!
@Miriam Mac: I don’t think it should be held in Bahrain, that’d be just contradictory, the fact that the festival ran for 3 straight years without cancellation proves that something strange happened this year? Prince Naif? Prince Waleed’s sibling Khaled maybe? Who knows.
Unfortunately, what going these days in Saudi is another religious “ wake ”sahwa. the neo Sahwa is driven by the same political and religious reasons that lead to the sahwa in 80s. many of us know that Saudi Arabia during 60s and 70s was very modern than today. Jeheman terrorist attack of Mecca that was launched by a group of Jihadists who sieged the Holy Mosque, was a reaction against the modernity and renaissance of Saudi Arabia in 70s, the decade that witnessed sending thousands of Saudi abroad for education and more openness to outside world for more integration into the international identity. The Islamic revolution was also a strong cause for the Sahwa in 80s.
I think this neo “sahwa” is driven by the same reasons. it is a reaction to the growing influence of the liberal power in the Saudi society since 2003 and to the increasing religious power of Iran. so, Saudi should not be blackmailed again by these zealous neo sahawi, otherwise, the country will go backward and drown in the radicalism again. This festival is held for many years but I think prince Naif is behind cancelation of the festival.
Salam
Part of the beauty of the blogosphere is the ability to exchange views, stimulate discussion and learn from one another. I would like to request (rather than enforce) as the blog owner that such discussions be done in a respectful manner without the need for profanity or attacking. After all with so many words in the dictionary, why does one need to resort to profanity? Same for attack…if we attack rather than respectfully agree to disagree on topics we are prevented from seeing the forest through the trees so to speak as it is distracting.
As I have said three years ago when I started this blog, Saudi Arabia is filled with contrasts and contradictions and I try to raise some of these issues for discussion; not to Saudi bash. Those who believe this blog is all about Saudi bashing need to do a careful analysis of all the posts and topics discussed.
Based on what I am seeing and hearing now, it does sound like cancellation of the film festival was more to do with internal politics and feuds than anything else.
Medina – welcome back and I very much enjoyed your comment.
I like Medina’s comment too!
@ Carol, Aafke,
You are welcome.
That’s ridiculous to cancel the event at last minute’s notice since I can only assume that much time and effort was put into creating this event… Plus those who planned to participate in it must have been really disappointed. It’s an insult probably. This type of event is actually something that many Saudi’s don’t have a regular opportunity to participate in, so it probably did hurt those who were looking forward to showcasing their talents. It’s also negative for those because it’s an opportunity to become noticed for a talent that otherwise, many would not know about. It’s like art shows here… people do it not only for entertainment, but for a way to express their freedoms and expressions. It’s a chance for maybe non-Saudi’s to view the Saudi world differently. I assume the films were about different topics and such, right?
I guess we’ll never know for sure exactly what the films and programs were about…
But I am pleased to say that there is an art exhibit featuring Saudi artists taking place in Athens, Greece. The Saudi Ambassador to Greece was key in facilitating this event.