'The Girls Who Burned The Night': female Saudi filmmakers win acclaim for short movie

The work, which tells the story of two sisters in the kingdom, was nominated for a number of awards at the Palm Springs International Film Festival

A short film produced and directed by Saudi women in Jeddah has been well received critically ahead of hitting local cinemas.

The Girls Who Burned The Night was written and directed by Sara Mesfer, and produced by Jowaher Alamri and Raghad Bajbaa. The film has had an impressive run at local and international festivals, and was selected by the Red Sea International Film Festival in June for Saudi Cinema Nights, a two-day programme showcasing short films in the kingdom.

It was also screened at the Beirut International Women Film Festival, the Toronto Arab Film Festival, the Cairo International Film Festival and, most recently, as part of Shortfest at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in California, where it was nominated for three awards – Best of the Festival, Best Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and Under, and Best Student International Short.

A still from 'The Girls Who Burned The Night'

Starring Jana Qomari and Haya Maraabi, the short was filmed in Jeddah over the course of five days in 2019. It tells the story of two sisters who embark on a journey after a small act of rebellion helps them to understand each other and themselves in a way they never imagined.

“It resonated with us at the time. I think most people will be able to relate to the feelings we experience at a certain time in our lives,” Mesfer tells The National.

However, making the film has been an "opportunity to present my ideas and art in its truest form. Whether it is liked or disliked, it is about presenting the idea and it’s up to people to decide how they feel.”

'The Girls Who Burned The Night' filmmakers at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in California. From left, Raghad Bajabaa, co-producer, Sara Mesfer, director and Jawaher Alamri, producer.

The re-introduction of cinema in Saudi Arabia has created more top-level jobs and new roles for women in the kingdom's industry. Previously, most filmmaking and leadership roles were allocated to men.

“We grew up watching women get the ‘easier-to-do’ jobs as opposed to directing and producing. I remember the moment when I saw [the first female Saudi director] Haifa Al Mansour’s work and that is when I realised that I, too, have a chance of becoming a Saudi film director,” Mesfer says.

She is currently working on another project estimated to be released in 2022.

We are really glad that we are leading this generation. The shift in culture is making the industry better and worth it

Jawaher Alamri,
Saudi filmmaker and producer

Alamri, who studied film with Mesfer, recalls casting being the most challenging part of the production's initial stages.

“We started that first because it's the most important element in the film and the hardest at the same time, because we did not have young actresses in the scene,” Alamri says.

The producers held their search for talented young girls at local schools. The film unit then spent four months rehearsing and getting to know each other.

“It was crucial the people we chose to work with were able to understand Sara’s vision.”.

Alamri is now writing and directing her first feature, Hala's Aziz, and hopes to direct her third short next year. “We are really glad that we are leading this generation. The shift in culture is making the industry better and worth it.”

The film stars Jana, who was 14 years old when the film was shot.

“They cast me when I was in school so, naturally, it was all very new to me but the team was extremely supportive which encouraged me to do it,” she says.

Jana is now heading to Stanford University to study politics and hopes to one day join the UN – but that does not mean she will give up acting. “I will pursue both and I am excited for my next film, which will be released soon.”

Co-producer Bajbaa has worked as an assistant director on more than 10 films, as well as TV and Netflix shows.

“The making of this film has been joyful and yet challenging in many parts, but my favourite was scouting for locations, and the car trips with the team to the set where we shared a lot of memories and made a lot of decisions,” she says.

Mesfer says the Palm Springs festival will stream the film online this week, from Thursday to Sunday, July 15 to 18. The Girls Who Burned The Night will also be out in Saudi cinemas later in the year.