A large attendance witnessed the film, which is produced by “Ithra”.
Al Arabiya.net – Nadia Al-Fawaz
Published on: September 13, 2023: 09:59 AM GST Last updated: September 13, 2023: 10:36 AM GST
Cinema lovers celebrated the world premiere of the film “Haggan” at the Toronto International Film Festival, as the audience received the film, which is produced by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra). With a large audience and warm applause, in reaction to the film, which is being shown five times at the festival currently in its forty-eighth session, within the “Discovery” section, a section that the festival classifies as “the future of world cinema.”
“Haggan” narrates the story of the boy Matar, who loses his brother Ghanem in a camel race and tries to protect his camel, “Hafira,” which is threatened with death, in interesting challenges that were filmed in the vast desert in northern Saudi Arabia, which opened the audience’s questions about how to deal with camels and the challenges of filming in the desert. The film’s viewers interacted with the opening folk poem, asking about its connection to Saudi folklore, as the film team answered many questions after the screening, demonstrating the impact of “Hajan” in arousing curiosity towards exploring the ship of the desert and the authenticity of Saudi heritage.
“Hajan” shows will be held at the Scotiabank Theater in Toronto, Canada, and is scheduled to be shown in cinemas early next year, 2024. It is a film produced by Mohamed Hefzy (Film Clinic) and Majed Zuhair Samman (Ithra). Rula Nasser (Imaginarium) participated in the production. The film is written by Omar Shama, Mufarrej Al-Muffil, and Abu Bakr Shawqi. Starring: Abdul Mohsen Al-Nimr, Omar Al-Atwi, Al-Shaima Tayyab, Azzam Al-Nimr, Toulin Barboud and Ibrahim Al-Hassawi.
“Hajan” by director Abu Bakr Shawqi was launched at the international festival after it was selected alongside two other Saudi films: “Night Representative” by director Ali Al-Kalthami and “Camel” by director Mishaal Al-Jasser. Both directors had previously presented cinematic works produced by the Ithra Center, during the year 2016, namely: “My Middle” by Al-Kalthami, and “Sumyati Btdali Al-Harrah” by Al-Jasser.
It is noteworthy that the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has produced more than 20 films, and Ithra is keen to support Saudi filmmakers and enable them to go global. The Center also offers many initiatives and programs throughout the year that support creative industries in the Kingdom, in several sectors, including theater, films, and cinema. It has participated in many local and international forums through international film festivals, in addition to organizing the Saudi Film Festival annually in partnership with the Cinema Society and with the support of Film Authority of the Ministry of Culture.
