Ali Al-Kalthami: The Saudi audience is the number one audience in the Middle East and the future of cinema
In an exceptional dialogue session as part of the Red Sea International Film Festival , prominent Saudi director and writer Ali Al-Kalthami highlighted the major transformations taking place in the Kingdom's film industry. In his talk, moderated by art critic Ahmed Al-Ayyad on December 5, he emphasized that "the Saudi audience is the first in the Middle East" in terms of passion, following, and impact at the box office, a statement that reflects the growing purchasing power and cultural influence of the Saudi market in the region.
From YouTube to Global Success: The Rise of Saudi Cinema
Al-Kalthami's talk was not merely a showcase of his work, but a documentation of a pivotal moment in the history of Saudi arts. He began the session by discussing the beginnings of "Telfaz 11" and the YouTube experience, describing it as a "golden opportunity" that allowed an entire generation to learn the fundamentals of the industry and directly experience audience reactions. This period holds historical significance as it formed the initial nucleus of the alternative Saudi content industry at a time when cinemas were absent, paving the way for the emergence of a generation of creative individuals who are leading the cinematic landscape today.
Moderate: Art triumphs over extremism
In reviewing his artistic milestones, Al-Kalthami dwelt at length on his short film "Wasati" (2016), which documents a true and painful incident that occurred in 2006 during a performance of the play "Wasati Bila Wasatiyya" in Riyadh, when extremists stormed the theater and halted the show. Al-Kalthami pointed to the symbolism of the film's subsequent screening at the same venue, considering it "a victory over extremist ideologies." This work was more than just a film; it was a historical document chronicling the radical social transformation that the Kingdom underwent, and its success culminated in winning the Best Director and Best Foreign Film awards at the Williamsburg Independent Film Festival in 2017.
“The Night Representative” and International Recognition
The conversation then turned to Al-Kalthami’s latest success, the feature film “The Night Delegate,” which achieved widespread critical and popular acclaim and won the Best Up-and-Coming Director award at the 2024 Ho Chi Minh International Film Festival in Vietnam. This film represents the maturity of the Saudi cinematic experience and its ability to compete in international forums, transcending local boundaries to present human stories with an authentic Saudi flavor.
The impact of "TV11" and the future of the industry
Al-Kalthami concluded by emphasizing the role of Telfaz 11 as a founding partner in shaping the visual and auditory identity of contemporary Saudi cinema. He explained that the diverse and discerning Saudi audience is a key partner in the production process. This interview comes at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing an unprecedented cultural renaissance within the framework of Vision 2030, with Saudi Arabia becoming a major destination for filmmakers and the Saudi box office a crucial factor in the regional and international success of cinematic works.
