A mystery thriller touted as “the first commercial Qatari feature film,” a fantasy epic “showcasing the power of unity,” and a documentary about Anne Lorimor as she goes to Mount Kilimanjaro to reclaim her title as the oldest person to summit it are all part of a new film slate unveiled on Saturday by Doha, Qatar-based pan-Arab content studio Katara Studios in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The lineup of projects, unveiled at a showcase event during the fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival in the second-largest Saudi city on Saturday, also includes Sakhr, a biopic about technology trailblazer Mohammed Al-Sharekh and “his pivotal role in pioneering Arabic computing in the 1980s,” as exclusively unveiled by THR earlier.
Katara’s “first-ever content roadshow” on Saturday underlined its mission of crafting “authentic and universally resonant stories” and featured chief commercial officer Hussein Fakhri (CCO), Salman Al-Muhannadi, communication manager, senior content developer and film writer Fahad Al-Kuwari, Mohammed Al Ibrahim, senior content developer and director, head of sound Liam Ruddel, Maryam Al-Sahli, post-production manager and film editor, and Luca Bercovici, senior vp of film, TV & music and executive producer at the studio. They emphasized the studio’s commitment to storytelling excellence and its dedication to nurturing Arab talent.
Here is a closer look at the three newly unveiled projects:
Sari & Amira (feature film)
“A heartwarming tale of love and resilience, showcasing the power of unity in overcoming challenges, told through a unique fantasy epic film,” according to a description. “In the unforgiving deserts of Wadi Sakheema, bandits Amira and Sari seek a legendary treasure, battling mythical beasts and navigating their marital misadventures to rediscover the true treasure of their love.”
Cast: Alex Uloom, Hala Al Turk, Abdelmohsen Al Nemr, Adwa Fahad
Saoud Wainah? (feature film)
Described as “the first commercial Qatari feature film,” it marks “a new chapter for Qatari cinema, taking the industry to new heights,” according to a description. “With an entirely Qatari cast, this mystery thriller blends local talent with a gripping story that has global appeal.” Says a synopsis: “A magic trick goes horribly wrong when two brothers attempt to replicate it years after learning it from their father.”
Cast: Mishal Al Dosari, Abdulaziz Al Dorani, Saad Al Naimi
Anne Everlasting (documentary)
Positioned as “a thought-provoking exploration of timeless human connections, offering insights into shared human experiences,” the projects synopsis reads: “At 89, Anne Lorimor returns to Mount Kilimanjaro to reclaim her title as the oldest person to summit. As she climbs, her past struggles and resilience are revealed, paralleling the challenges of the ascent. Her journey highlights perseverance and the mission of her foundation, Creating Exciting Futures.”
