After 35 years, the silver screen returns to Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia began screening feature-length animated children's films this weekend in a makeshift theatre, after a 35-year-old ban on cinemas was lifted in the kingdom. The first permanent theatres could open as early as March, part of a liberalising reform drive that has already opened the door to concerts, comedy shows and women drivers over the past year. For now, the authorities are sponsoring temporary settings, like the state-run cultural hall in the Red Sea city of Jeddah which is equipped with a projector, a red carpet and a popcorn machine. "Until now, there is no infrastructure for movie theatres, so we are trying to take advantage of [alternative] venues to approximate the cinematic form," said Mamdouh Salim, whose Cinema 70 brand organised the week-long screenings. "We tried to use these films to be a starting point as the first cinematic screening after the decision on December 11 to permit movie theatres." Cinemas were banned in the early 1980s under pressure from Islamists. But reforms led by 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have eased many of those restrictions, as the government tries to broaden the economy and lessen its dependence on oil. In a nod to conservatives, films will be censored to make sure they remain in line with the kingdom's "moral values". After watching The Emoji Movie with his wife and daughter on Sunday evening, 28-year-old Sultan Al Otaibi said Saudis are happy to see movies in the theatre instead of staying at home. "It's more comfortable, more fun to have a change of scenery and an activity on the weekend. It is a step that was very late in coming but thank God it's happening now." Thousands of Saudis currently travel to Bahrain, the UAE and other countries for entertainment. The authorities expect to open 300 cinemas with 2,000 screens by 2030, building an industry it hopes will contribute more than 90 billion riyals (Dh88.1bn) to the economy and create 30,000 permanent jobs. Regional and international cinema chains are also eyeing the Saudi market, keen to tap the spending power of the young people who make up roughly 70 per cent of the population. "I want to see everything because it is something new for Saudi," said 30-year-old moviegoer Ibtisam Abu Talib. "I hope everything is available — action, romance, children's films, comedy. Everything, God willing." Read more: In lifting the cinema ban, Saudi Arabia gives voice to people's stories