Content by the Buzz Business
OF SAUDI FILM
What’s it like to be a film director in a
country with a nascent film industry?
The lack of precedent is daunting, but also
liberating. Coming to Riyadh for Dunya’sDay
was special. There’s so much untapped
potential here, whether it’s untold stories or
eager talent. Most of our crew had barely—if
ever—been on a film set, but it didn’t matter.
Everyone was devoted to making this movie,
and that energy was gratifying. I’m thankful
that I felt supported enough to experiment
and to be playful without fear of judgment.
How do you see the Saudi film industry
developing in the future?
In reality, people here have been making
and watching content for years. With movie
theaters, we can now experience it together.
I am optimistic about the future. I hope we
prioritize ourselves and our stories, rather
than only jumping on board Hollywood
productions. It’s exciting to see work from Saudi
filmmakers, and to access opportunities that
were unimaginable just a few years ago.
and the pace of change accelerates,
filmmakers like Alsemari are giving a voice
to the values, aspirations and concerns
of a whole new generation of Saudis.
What was the inspiration
behind Dunya’s Day?
It began with the character. I wanted
to capture a woman from a specific
subset of Riyadh society, where
veganism is trending and graduation
parties are akin to the Met Gala.
At its core, Dunya’sDay is about one
woman’s relentless pursuit of status. I was
excited to write an Arab woman in a position
of privilege—a protagonist who’s flawed
but fierce. I think Dunya’s drive—how far
she’ll go to protect her social standing—
can be both horrifying and relatable.
How did you find your
extraordinary lead actress?
It wasn’t easy. Our casting director
blasted social media with open calls.
We auditioned many strong actors, but
no one embodied Dunya in the way
we envisioned. It was crucial to find a
performer who wouldn’t trivialize Dunya
or her need for social validation. After
weeks of auditions, my producer and I had
a sudden epiphany—our Dunya was in the
room all along. We ended up casting our
casting director, Sara Balghonaim. I’m
thankful she agreed. The film wouldn’t work
without her star-making performance.
What new projects are you
currently working on?
I’m developing a feature film inspired
by Dunya’sDay—a wedding film with the
same character, world and tone. There’s
immense potential in dramatizing a Riyadh
wedding, and exploring the absurdities
of being young, privileged and Saudi.
I’m also producing a short film by an NYU
friend and collaborator, Farida Zahran.
It’s a dark-comedy musical set in Cairo,
Egypt, and I can’t wait to help make it.
HERE’S TO
MORE FILMS
FROM THE
ARAB AND
MUSLIM
WORLDS
THAT ARE
TOLD BY US.
_
RAED
ALSEMARI,
on winning
the Short Film
Jury Award for
International
Fiction at the
2019 Sundance
Film Festival
Q & A
Dunya’s Day official film poster
