Boxing Biopic ‘Giant’ too Open Saudi Arabia’s Red sea International film Festival
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The highly anticipated biopic Giant, starring Amir El Masry as British-Yemeni boxing champion Prince Naseem ‘Naz’ Hamed, will launch the fifth edition of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival. The festival, a key event in the regional film calendar, will run from december 4 to 13 in Jeddah.
The opening night selection was revealed at a press conference on Tuesday, alongside details of the festival’s diverse program. This year’s edition will showcase films from the Arab world, Africa, and Asia, with dedicated sections including the Red Sea Competition, Special Screenings, Arab Spectacular, and International Spectacular.
Beyond Giant, the festival lineup boasts a compelling array of international titles. Angelina Jolie stars in Alice Winocour’s Paris-set drama Couture, while Olivier Assayas brings The Wizard of the Kremlin to the screen. Rupert Wyatt’s Desert Warrior, a film backed by and shot in Saudi Arabia with an international cast, will also feature in the International Spectacular sidebar.
giant chronicles the remarkable journey of Hamed, from his humble beginnings in Sheffield to global boxing stardom. The film delves into his complex relationship with Irish boxing trainer Brendan Ingle, portraying their unlikely and tender bond and Ingle’s pivotal role in Hamed’s success. Crucially, the film also addresses the racism and islamophobia Hamed confronted during his career in 1980s and 90s Britain, highlighting his rise as a global sporting icon.
The film will make its MENA (Middle East and North Africa) premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival, following its world premiere at the London Film festival in October.
“our selection of Giant as the opening film of the fifth edition embodies an artistic celebration of regional talents who have established their presence on the global film scene,” stated a senior official from the Red sea Film Foundation. “through the story of an Arab world champion in boxing, the film portrays a journey of perseverance that inspires generations and reflects pride in identity, highlighting the growing presence of Arab stars in international productions alongside global names, reaffirming that Arab cinema today stands as a powerful force in the global film landscape.”
the press conference also included remarks from Shivani Pandya-Malhotra, Managing Director of the Red Sea Film Foundation, Fionnuala Halligan, the newly appointed Director of International Programmes, and Antoine Khalife, Director of Arab Programs and Film classics.
Red Sea Competition Lineup
The Red Sea Competition will feature a diverse selection of films, inclu
Special Screenings to Feature Unique Voices
Rounding out the program, the Special Screenings section will present:
- THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB (Tunisia, France) – Kaouther Ben Hania
- SIRÂT (Spain, france) – Oliver Laxe
the Red Sea International Film Festival continues to solidify its position as a vital platform for showcasing cinematic talent from across the globe, with a particular focus on amplifying voices from the arab world.
