In a groundbreaking moment for Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning film industry, director Tawfik al-Zaidi’s drama ‘Norah’ has been chosen for the official selection of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. This marks the first time in the festival’s 77-year history that a Saudi film has been selected.
The film is set to make its international debut at Cannes’ prestigious Un Certain Regard section, following the lifting of a 35-year-old ban on cinema in 2017.
Set in the backdrop of 1990s Saudi Arabia, ‘Norah’ follows the journey of an illiterate orphaned young woman living in a remote village. The film explores themes of arranged marriage, societal constraints, and the quest for self-expression.
Portrayed by the talented Saudi actress Maria Bahrawi, Norah’s life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Nader, an artist-turned-schoolteacher played by Yaqoub al-Farhan.
The film, which premiered locally at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah last December, sheds light on a transformative period in the kingdom’s history when the ban on cinema was lifted in 2017. It portrays Norah’s burgeoning passion for art amidst a backdrop of societal conservatism and artistic prohibition.
‘Norah’ also holds the distinction of being the first Saudi film to be shot in the ancient city of AlUla. Its production was made possible through the support of the Saudi Film Commission’s Daw Film Competition, an initiative launched by the Ministry of Culture to nurture homegrown talent and foster the growth of the Saudi film industry.
The selection of ‘Norah’ for Cannes underscores the increasing recognition and international acclaim garnered by Saudi filmmakers, signaling a promising future for the kingdom’s cinematic landscape.
