Red Sea Film Festival shines in the heart of Cannes

This year had the largest Arab presence in the history of Cannes, with nine Arab films featured. The Red Sea International Film Festival supported five of these films, in addition to the opening film.

EPA

Jomana Alrashid chairwoman of the Red Sea Foundation(L) and Mohammed Al Turki, Red Sea International Film Festival CEO at the 76th annual Cannes Film Festival.

Red Sea Film Festival shines in the heart of Cannes

Mohammed Rouda

last update on 24 May 2023

Cannes, France: The 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival — which has become a global destination for cinema — reaffirmed its position as the most significant film festival in the world. The festival brought together art, industry, culture, trade, gravity, and entertainment.

The festival comprises official competitions and parallel programmes, where hundreds of films — which methods of selection are confidential — are screened in closed-door meetings.

The secrecy surrounding the selection process begs multiple questions: How do they choose one film over another? Does it truly merit being selected or were strings pulled to get it in the festival?

American actress Katie Holmes, Czech model and actress Eva Herzigova and Film AlUla Executive Director Charlene Deleon-Jones, pose for a picture during the 76th Cannes Film Festival, in Cannes on May 18, 2023.

It is a gathering attended by thousands of industry professionals —producers, influential figures in the industry, financiers, directors, technicians, specialists, critics, and journalists. It also attracts those who are eager to explore the films of the festival and see which ones would be good to feature elsewhere.

All in all, the festival is a 12-day extravaganza that splendidly captivates audiences and industry players alike and attracts international film stars and celebrities.

This year, Hollywood attendees included Harrison Ford (for the fifth installment of “Indiana Jones” Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Tilda Swinton (for Wes Anderson’s satirical film “Asteroid City”), Michael Douglas, who was being celebrated in this festival, Johnny Depp (Jeanne de Barry), Julianne Moore, and Natalie Portman (for Todd Haynes' film "May December").

Prominent Saudi presence

While major film festivals like Berlin, Venice, Locarno, and Toronto — which are main competitors to the Cannes Film Festival — host delegations, guests, and officials from around the world, Cannes remains the most prominent festival on the global stage. It is where international cinema industry players often announce their film launches.

This year, Saudi Arabia film industry was prominently showcased at the festival with various bodies and institutions in attendance, such as the Red Sea International Film Festival, Ithra Center, and the Saudi Film Authority.

This year, Saudi Arabia film industry was prominently showcased at the festival with various bodies and institutions in attendance, such as the Red Sea International Film Festival, Ithra Center, and the Saudi Film Authority.

Their initiatives and projects are now gracing the covers of specialised film magazines like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.

These institutions not only aim to promote the Kingdom's films but also affirm Saudi Arabia's central position in the global cultural scene, making it ready to receive projects and ideas, as well as present the Kingdom's cinematic achievements and projects.

These institutions not only aim to promote the Kingdom's films but also affirm Saudi Arabia's central position in the global cultural scene, making it ready to receive projects and ideas, as well as present the Kingdom's cinematic achievements and projects.

This activity was crowned by the selection of the film (Jeanne du Barry) to open this year's high-profile edition of Cannes. It is not solely a French production but a partnership with the Red Sea International Film Festival, which contributed to its budget which topped 20 million euros.

The selection of this film helped bring attention to the fact that Saudi Arabia has become present on the grand stage of the cinema industry, as an investor and as a haven for those seeking full or partial funding.

The film "Jeanne du Barry" (starring Johnny Depp, alongside the French star Maïwenn who also directed it and contributed to its screenplay) is an example of what Saudi Arabia intends to present to the world: good artistic films that entertain and carry purpose.

Johnny Depp, left, and director Maiwenn pose for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Jeanne du Barry' at the 76th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

And perhaps one of the most attractive elements of this film — aside from being the opening film— is the presence of Johnny Depp, both on the red carpet and in the festival corridors, as well as on the screen where he plays the role of King Louis XV.

King Louis becomes infatuated with society lady Jeanne du Barry. He brings du Barry to live with him in his palace as his mistress until the French Revolution which led to his toppling.

Depp — returning to the spotlight after a highly-publicised trial with his ex-wife Amber Heard that nearly ended his career — chose this role for his comeback. It reaffirmed his theatrical prowess through his subtly satirical performance on screen.

Johnny Depp's brilliant acting cast an enchanting charm over the film's opening scene, captivating the international press. This only added to film's popularity, which, as result, drew further attention to Saudi Arabia's significant contribution.

Largest Arab presence at Cannes

This year had the largest Arab presence in the history of Cannes, with nine Arab films featured. The Red Sea International Film Festival supported five of these films, in addition to the opening film.

This included the Tunisian film "Four Daughters" directed by Kaouther Ben Hania and starring Hend Sabry, both of whom were present at the festival.

Producer Nadim Cheikhrouha, from left, Eya Chikhaoui, Tayssir Chikhaoui, Nour Karoui, Olfa Hamrouni, director Kaouther Ben Hania, Hend Sabry, Ichraq Matar pose at the premiere of the film 'Four Daughters'.

The film, which combines documentary and narrative elements, is based on a true story about a Tunisian woman who loses two of her four daughters under mysterious circumstances.

From Sudan — which is currently the midst of its own civil war — comes the film "Goodbye Julia". It is the first Sudanese film to reach this international platform, shedding light on the horrors of war and the high human cost it incurs, as Mohamed Kordofani, its director and writer explained during the films screening.

From Morocco, two films participated in the "Un Certain Regard" category: Les Meutes/The Pack of Dogs by Kamal Lazraq and "The Mother of All Lies" by Asmae El Moudir. Meanwhile, the narrative film "Banel & Adama" by Senegalese director Ramata-Toulaye Sy also competed for the Golden Palm at this year's festival.

Additionally, two short films from Egypt were featured: "Al Toraa': The Call of the Brook/ The Canal" by Jihad Shaheen and "Isa/Jesus" by Murad Mostafa. Jordan also participated with two films: "Inshallah a Boy" by Amjad al-Rasheed and "The Red Sea Makes Me Wanna Cry" by Faris Alrajoob.

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