Egyptian Cinema is Getting a ‘Big Time’ Boost With Saudi Backing

A number of upcoming Egyptian films will be produced with backing from Saudi cultural institutions, including the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority.

According to Turki Alalshikh, the Authority’s chairperson, films that will be fully produced from the Big Time Production House’s fund include ‘Al Sett’, directed by Marwan Hamed and starring Mona Zaki, ‘The Search for a Scandal’ starring Hisham Majed and Hana El Zahed, and ‘Shams El Zanati’ starring Mohamed Emam. Other films produced from the Big Time fund include ‘Psycho Psycho’ starring Essam Omar and Taha Desouki, ‘Ahmed and Ahmed’ starring Ahmed El Sakka and Ahmed Fahmy, ‘Derby El Mawt’ starring Youssef El Sherif, ‘El Daraawesh’ starring Amr Youssef and directed by Walid El Halafawy, and ‘Al Mashrou’ starring Karim Abdel Aziz and directed by Peter Mimi.

Alalshikh added that there will be several films supported by the Entertainment Authority and Riyadh Season, such as the third and fourth installments of ‘The Blue Elephant’ film series, with production taking place in Saudi Arabia, Britain and America. Marwan Hamed will oversee all studios, with assistance from international companies in graphics and sound. Award-winning Egyptian composer Hisham Nazih will oversee the film's music, as he has done for the first two blockbuster films.

Other films to be supported by the Entertainment Authority and Riyadh Season include ‘El Nunu’ starring Ahmed Helmy, ‘El Shaib’ starring Asser Yassin, ‘Romel’ starring Akram Hosni and directed by Ali Ali, and ‘El Sterling’ starring Mohamed Henedy.

Films fully produced by the General Entertainment Authority include ‘The Sisters’ starring Karim Abdel Aziz and Ahmed Helmy, directed by an international director, a film starring Ahmed Ezz and Karim Abdel Aziz, and ‘Very Superficial’ starring Chico. Alalshikh confirmed that all these films will be ready within a year and a half, with translations and dubbing in certain countries.