Industry figures at the Dubai International Film Festival have reacted with varying degrees of optimism to today’s news that cinemas will be able to reopen in Saudi Arabia from early 2018.
It will be the first time public cinemas have been permitted in the country since the early eighties, and DIFF managing director Shivani Pandya was clearly pleased at the news that the region’s biggest potential market would be heading back to theatres: “It’ll be fantastic for the region and give us a much more substantial audience base, which in turn will increase the regional market’s profile internationally,” she said.
“It’ll be great for Diff, and for cinema generally, because we’ll be reaching out to this whole new audience base that previously had to wait for films to become available on digital download, and now they’ll be able to watch in cinemas. It’s great news for everyone.”
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Gianluca Chakra, managing director of leading regional film distributor Front Row Entertainment revealed that his company already buys the Saudi rights for all the films it distributes in the region, partly for digital distribution in the kingdom, but also on the assumption that Saudi cinemas would reopen “eventually”.
Chakra was also pleased at the announcement, though his optimism could reasonably be termed as cautious: “We’ll have to wait and see how it works out because there are likely to be a lot of issues with censorship, that’s already a big problem we have in Kuwait,” he said. “Initially we’ll be focusing on family films, animations and the like, and we’ll see where it goes from there.”
Chakra added that the news would not create an instantly lucrative market, with time needed to build the infrastructure for cinema screenings in KSA: “This isn’t going to happen overnight. We’ll be looking at, at least, an eight or nine-month period while cinemas are set up, so let’s just start slowly and we’ll see where we go.”
UAE-based Vox Cinemas was also pleased with the announcement, and released a statement announcing its intention to move into the nascent Saudi market: "As the Middle East’s largest cinema operator, VOX Cinemas congratulates the Saudi Government on its historic decision to reintroduce cinemas. We have observed the emergence of creative industries across the Kingdom with great enthusiasm as part of the Vision 2030 agenda and we look forward to working with the Government to introduce VOX Cinemas world class offering to Saudi Arabia in the months and years ahead.
"Today’s announcement will mean the creation of thousands of job opportunities for Saudi Nationals through the creation of another new leisure industry in Saudi Arabia and we look forward to playing an active role."
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Norway v Spain, Saturday, 10.45pm, UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Borussia Dortmund v Paderborn (11.30pm)
Saturday
Bayer Leverkusen v SC Freiburg (6.30pm)
Werder Bremen v Schalke (6.30pm)
Union Berlin v Borussia Monchengladbach (6.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Wolfsburg (6.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldof v Bayern Munich (6.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Cologne (9.30pm)
Sunday
Augsburg v Hertha Berlin (6.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Mainz (9pm)
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Europa League group stage draw
Group A: Villarreal, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Astana, Slavia Prague.
Group B: Dynamo Kiev, Young Boys, Partizan Belgrade, Skenderbeu.
Group C: Sporting Braga, Ludogorets, Hoffenheim, Istanbul Basaksehir.
Group D: AC Milan, Austria Vienna , Rijeka, AEK Athens.
Group E: Lyon, Everton, Atalanta, Apollon Limassol.
Group F: FC Copenhagen, Lokomotiv Moscow, Sheriff Tiraspol, FC Zlin.
Group G: Vitoria Plzen, Steaua Bucarest, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, FC Lugano.
Group H: Arsenal, BATE Borisov, Cologne, Red Star Belgrade.
Group I: Salzburg, Marseille, Vitoria Guimaraes, Konyaspor.
Group J: Athletic Bilbao, Hertha Berlin, Zorya Luhansk, Ostersund.
Group K: Lazio, Nice, Zulte Waregem, Vitesse Arnhem.
Group L: Zenit St Petersburg, Real Sociedad, Rosenborg, Vardar
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
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In Search of Mary Shelley: The Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein
By Fiona Sampson
Profile
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
The Bio
Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees (oats with chicken) is one of them
Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.
Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results
During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks
Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy
Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it
The Equaliser 2
Director Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Denzel Washington, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo, Ashton Sanders
Three stars
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THE CLOWN OF GAZA
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Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Red Joan
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Starring: Judi Dench, Sophie Cookson, Tereza Srbova
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Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars