This is what nationals from both nations stressed after the recent successful screening of Saudi and German films at the Italian Cultural Center, as part of the European Film Festival in Jeddah. On Thursday, a Saudi documentary, “Jeddah: Meeting of Cultures”, was shown by filmmaker Mamdouh Salem, on last year's flood calamity. It was screened alongside a German film, “Bella Martha”, about a woman who has a passion for cooking. Salem, filmmaker and film director at Rawad Media for Media Production and Distribution, said it was a great opportunity to show Germans Saudi culture. “I think this is the first step towards a better future, to promote Saudi films in a better way and for more cooperation in cultural exchanges. I hope more film festivals in Jeddah will accommodate Saudi films.” He added that Jeddah, according to certain statistics, has the most cultures gathered in one city, apart from New York. Dr. Michael Zickerick, Consul General of Germany, said “Bella Martha” was a reflection of the film festival's roots because it was a romantic comedy and has a slightly German and Italian touch. “It's also an investigation of the human condition, about quality and an innovative force, which is what European cinema is about.” He said showing a Saudi film was a step towards boosting the cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and Europe, adding that he found the Saudi film meaningful because it was about love and solidarity. He hoped there would be further collaboration with Saudi filmmakers to “enhance our mutual understanding”. Salah Rajah, an official from the German consulate, remarked that the event was a meeting place for Saudi culture and other civilizations of the world. He also praised the Saudi film. Christian Strob, the Cultural Attaché at the German Consulate, said plans are underway to bring some artists from Germany on a cultural exchange program and also to have a German architectural exhibition in the Gulf region in the near future. The German consulate is working on the cultural exchange program with Hisham Bunjabi, the chairman of the fine arts committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Bunjabi said plans are underway to organize and open a Jeddah arts society for foreigners, in cooperation with the German and other consulates.
