Saudi films set to captivate audiences at Gulf Film Festival

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Several shorts from the Kingdom in the recent past have generated considerable interest amongst cinema goers across the globe correcting the stereotypes and educating society on existing wrong practices.

20 films in all disciplines, features, shorts, documentaries and student shorts will help clear impressions of Saudi Arabia as a closed country, reflecting the existing socio-economic conditions.

The two features from KSA linger around darkness and intrigue.

Considered the first horror film and only the third full length feature from Saudi Arabia, Abdulla Abo Talib's mythically-inspired 'The Forgotten Village' tells the story of ethereal and supernatural phenomena that two groups of people are subjected to in a sleepy village.

The film stars actors from the Gulf with incidents inspired from old Khaleeji legends.

'Sabbah Allil' by Mamoun Bonni is a fictional adventure that takes a truck driver into three important periods within the Arab world history, as he tries to change certain incidents so historical events can flow a different path.

11 In-competition shorts from Saudi Arabia make it the second largest contributor to the segment.

'After the Ashes' by Jasim Al Oqaili talks about life and its difficulties and the struggles after death crying for that one chance to re-visit the wrongs and improve; Mohammed Al Basha's 'Paradise Birds' is a narrative on the fantasies of life; 'Cobwebs' by Sameer Arif questions if laws are designed to eliminate crime or to keep it under control for the exclusive right of the elite; 'Nothing' by Abdulamusin Almutairi looks into the exciting distractions in life that provide momentary relief; 'If' by Mohammed Al Batli talks about the various absurdities of life; 'Rain' by Abdullah Al Eyaf highlights the defining moment of loss and gain; 'Shattered Thoughts' by Abduljalil Al Nasir delves into the uncertainties about the future experienced by a section of the youth in the Gulf ; 'Arrival' by Talal Ayeel reaffirms the age old saying 'better late than never' ; Mohammed Al Hamoud's 'Schizophrenia' is the search of an imaginary person who brings about change; 'The Bus' by Abdulmohsen AlDaaban narrates the troubles of a child plying to an fro in a school bus and 'Child Task' by Mamdouh Salem explores the sufferings of a child and his mother after being abandoned by the father.

Four documentaries to the segment explore various issues shaping the society holding onto tradition and prestige.

'Seeing through the Sand' by Noor Al Dabbagh follows the travels of a group of Harvard graduate to the Kingdom discussing issues the country is facing with Saudi's of all ages, as it goes through crucial stages of development; Osama AlKhurayji's 'The Truth' captures the life of a convert to Islam; 'Kebriea'a' by Nedhal Al Damashqi highlights the art of falconry examining the relation between the bird and the trainer and 'Saudis in America' by Fahmi Farahat captures the views, issues and attitudes of Saudis living or visiting the states following 9/11.

2 Student filmmakers represent the Kingdom with pride in the shorts programming with three films; Bader al Homoud's 'White and White' analyses the reaction of society towards split personalities, whereas 'Scabbard less' deals with fear and trauma of being caught for a past crime; 'Moon Whisperer' by director Abdulla Al Ahmed focuses on ways to overcome emptiness and loneliness.

The inaugural edition of Gulf Film Festival is scheduled to take place between April 13 to 18 at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Center at Mall of Emirates.