The Kingdom has recently witnessed signs of a greater acceptance of the possibility of opening cinema theaters for the public screening of films, but views differ not only on whether such a thing should be allowed to occur in what many describe as the “conservative Saudi society,” but also on how it should occur if permission were finally granted. Supporters of cinema in Saudi wonder how the question of segregation of the sexes is to be resolved, and others question whether cinema in Saudi Arabia is even a viable commercial venture. “Lots of people don't realize the role cinema plays in promoting positive ideas. The cinema is like a window through which we can expose our problems and open up to other societies,” says 25-year-old Issa Basim. “I support the idea of having cinemas in Saudi Arabia, I'm a cinema lover, and I think it's an invitation to get to know other cultures and the less positive aspects of other societies in a unique way.” “Cinema in Saudi would be an open and new call to educating the young, as it is one of the finest of the arts for its continual addressing of human, economic, political and social themes through dramatic representation to send out important messages,” says Amaal Mohammed, who is 55 years old. “Whatever people's opinions,” she says, “cinema is an important educational tool.” Mohammed Nawfal is 16 years old. “If we had cinema we wouldn't have to go to cafes and shopping malls, which are basically a waste of time. The cinema is educational and informative,” he says. Nineteen-year-old Raiyan Zaid, however, has his reservations. “Cinema could give us a bit of variation to our lives and provide some entertainment as well as bringing new and diverse ideas,” he says. “It is an important aspect of all societies, whether Arab or Western, so I think it is necessary for Saudi, but within acceptable limits.” Where those limits lie is a source of contention as much as the practicalities of screening films to the public. Days for men, days for women Najdia Ihmed is 32. “We need cinema in Saudi, we need to follow the example of other neighboring countries and the rest of the Arab World, and it would give us the opportunity to go somewhere else other than the boring shopping malls. I think giving two days to show social and cultural films to women would be an interesting idea, and they could give one day to men to show their sort of films. Films that contradict our culture shouldn't be shown,” Najdia says. Twenty-year-old Ahmed Basim has a similar stance. “There would be lots of positives in allowing cinemas in Saudi Arabia. It would allow a break from routine and boredom. I support the idea, but as long as they keep the segregation of the sexes. They could give one day to women and one to men.” Mais Hamaad, 27-year-old, said: “The presence of movie theaters in Saudi would be a positive step forwards, but the films they show shouldn't conflict with customs and traditions, and shouldn't cross certain lines which we have been brought up to respect in our religion, customs and traditions. And they should commit to showing certain types of films varying between the cultural and the social, all we want is a constructive cinema.” Soleiman Mohammed, 43 years old, says the opening of cinemas in Saudi is “double-edged sword”. “In my view it's a way of educating people and increasing cultural sensibilities, but on the other hand it might affect this conservative society, so personally I hope they don't open cinemas, even for documentaries.” Drawing on experience Saudi television presenter Abdullah Al-Wabili looks to the positives. “Cinema is a branch of cultural growth, and an important building block for cultural awareness, so it goes without saying that we are asking for the creation of cinemas in Saudi. In terms of positives and negatives, the cinema is no different to the theater or television, in that it can be used for good or for bad depending on how it is used, but as a cultural and social driving force I think cinema is a positive thing whichever way you look at it.” Abdul Aziz Bin Fahd, a news reader and discussion show host, agrees. “It will provide a much needed family atmosphere, but what's shown needs to be subject to approval. I think group viewing can help dispel the sense of isolation people feel, and I would ask people to try not to focus on the negatives of cinema but instead focus on the positive things it can bring.” Writer and cinema critic Mamdouh Salim says previous experience should be drawn on. “We've shown numerous films in Jeddah and other cities around the Kingdom and found that segregating the sexes to be of benefit, by dividing the auditorium into male and female sections. Having different days for males and females is more problematic as organizers may find it simply not profitable, as the female presence may be more modest, or vice versa. Having a dividing section between them is in the interest of everyone, and guards people's religious and cultural principles. We also offer a special family service so that the husband, wife and children and the whole family can enjoy the show without any irritation. This creates a wonderful family atmosphere and constitutes a new comfortable location offering peace of mind to the Saudi family in a compliant fashion, particularly given the few entertainment options on offer in the Kingdom's cities during weekends and holidays.” Listen to the public Theater critic Abdullah Al-Attas says the idea of having separate days for men ad women would need to be looked at from the organizational, moral and commercial perspectives, and the response from the public would also have to be taken into account to form the best outcome. “Separating men from women might be the best way forward,” Al-Attas says, “as happens at the moment at literary clubs. It's a question of the culture of society, and I think we should go along with that society and shock it into something it doesn't want which would only have negative results. We need to respect all points of view and find a solution satisfactory to all. At bottom it's a purely organizational matter, and the solution lies in the hands of organizational bodies that have to address these issues in practicality. We could try out both suggestions and then see which one works out best. Only then will we be able to say which is the most beneficial, but we can't go along improvising on these matters, which are questions of providing an opportunity for entertainment for Saudi families.” The public view may be changing. In a questionnaire run by Roaa magazine it was found that out of 100 women questioned 33 percent aged 30 and below supported having public screenings of films and 17 percent were opposed. In the 31 to 40 age group the percentage of supporters went down to nine, and of 41 to 60 year olds, only five percent were supporters. Of 100 males, 60 percent of those in the 20 to 30 age bracket gave their backing to the idea, while 14 percent of 31 to 40 year olds supported it, and only two percent of the 41 to 60 age group showed support. The results suggest that with each new generation comes a new openness to the idea of public screening of movies, even if differences over how it should be done remain unresolved, and the issue of who should resolve it remains equally unclear. Sheikh's view “Cinema in this day and age doesn't have the same popularity as it once did, and it has become of minor importance. I don't support setting up a cinema anywhere in the Kingdom as it is a sacred country with its own ways,” says Sheikh Mohammed Al-Nujeimi. “It is the Qibla for all Muslims to pray towards and has no places of worship other than mosques which call to our true religion, with the religion of Islam being the country's basis.” “I ask every Saudi to concern himself with the call to God and to spreading our true religion, as the interests of Muslims are the most important thing, and cinema is of secondary importance and I see no place for it in Saudi Arabia. It may be okay in other countries, but only under certain circumstances: that there is nothing in it that goes against the religion or the prophets; that a woman working in cinema theaters wear a hijab if Muslim or modest clothing if she is of another religion; that the films be constructive and of humanitarian value to serve Muslim causes, and that may include some sort of respectful entertainment; and that it doesn't incite any national or racial bias.”
