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Arab News
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Review: Watching ‘Hobal' at the Saudi Film Festival was an immersive experience
DHAHRAN: Watching 'Hobal' at the 11th Saudi Film Festival, hosted at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, or Ithra, was cathartic. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ The setting in which the film was screened was significant. The cinema is close to Ithra's Energy Exhibit, which allows visitors to explore the journey behind oil extraction and energy resources in the Kingdom on the very land where black gold was first discovered in 1938. Attentive faces, bathed in the glowing light of the screen sat with popcorn-scented hands. Together, we embarked on a journey — both collective and deeply personal — without moving an inch. 'Hobal' tells the story of a Bedouin family, set in the early 1990s, living in extreme isolation, led by a paranoid patriarch (Ibrahim Al-Hasawi) who believes the end of times is near, and strongly forbids anyone from his family to venture into town. The title, 'Hobal,' is apt. It references a pre-Islamic figure whose word became gospel, offering deeper layers to the film's exploration of power and belief. The family's situation intensifies when Rifa (Amal Sami), the teen girl, falls gravely ill with a highly contagious case of measles and is forced to isolate even further in a tent alone. Her anguished mother (Mila Al-Zahrani) is consumed with worry, but the men, under the strict guidance of the patriarch, refuse to leave the desert to seek medical help. The women — and young teen boy, Assaf — are confronted with a dilemma: Survival or obedience. With the hissing desert winds, surrounded by stubborn tents and the suffocating grip of impending grief and unearthed betrayal, the question arises: Will they stay or will they go? The film's cinematography is a standout. One particularly stunning shot lingers — a mirror leaning into the sand, reflecting Rifa and Assaf in deep conversation seemingly side-by-side but while apart. The desert engulfs them but they seem grounded. It is shatteringly beautiful. The wisest figures seem to be the youngest. Set against the backdrop of the Gulf War, the real battles feel internal. What made watching 'Hobal' even more powerful was experiencing it in a Saudi cinema — not too far, geographically, from where the Gulf War broke out, knowing this was a story entirely brought to life by local talent. There is also a strong Ithra connection. The film was written by Mufarrij Almajfel, who also wrote the award-winning 2023 Ithra film 'Hajjan' (about camels), which also starred Al-Hasawi — honored at this year's festival for his remarkable career. Camels, the symbolic 'ships of the desert,' make several meaningful appearances here too, helping to move the story along. Directed by Abdulaziz Alshlahei and produced by Sharif Almajali (along with Alshlahei and Mohammed Al-Turki as executive producers), 'Hobal' is a collaborative effort between Shaf Studios, Film Clinic and Peninsula Pictures Group. The film had its world premiere at the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah and was released in cinemas across the Kingdom in early 2025. Since then, 'Hobal' has grossed an impressive SR21.6 million (about $5.8 million) in its first month, quickly becoming the fastest-growing box office hit in Saudi cinematic history. It is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
CairoScene
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Indie Film 'Hobal' Breaks Records With 500,000 Viewers in Four Weeks
Hobal dominates Saudi cinemas with over 500,000 admissions, breaking records and outperforming global hits in just four weeks. 'Hobal', an independent Saudi film directed by Abdulaziz Alshlahei, has become the fastest-growing independent film in the kingdom's history, with over 500,000 admissions in four weeks. Written by Mufarrij Almajfel, the film follows a Bedouin family facing isolation after the Gulf War. The cast features Ibrahim Al-Hassawi ('Scales'), Mishaal Almutairi ('Forty Years and One Night'), and Mila Alzahrani ('The Perfect Candidate'). Since its release on January 2nd, 'Hobal' has amassed 527,000 ticket sales and grossed SAR 21,633,556 (approximately USD 5,767,923 million). The film has held the number one spot in the nation's box office for four consecutive weeks. Building on its record-breaking opening week of 119,717 admissions, 'Hobal' has sold-out screenings from Riyadh to Jeddah and even rural areas, where audience engagement accounted for over 20% of total admissions. Since its release in Kuwait, UAE, Oman, and Bahrain on January 23rd, the film has already achieved over 87,000 admissions. The film was produced by Shaf Studios, with Egypt's Film Clinic and Peninsula Pictures Group as co-producers. 'Hobal' is led by producer Sharif Almajali, p.g.a, alongside executive producers Abdulaziz Alshlahei, Mofarij Almujfel, and Mohamed Al Turki. The film is backed by the Daw' Film Competition, the Saudi Film Commission, the Quality of Life Program, and NEOM, with additional support from private sector partners.
Broadcast Pro
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Saudi film ‘Hobal' breaks records with vver 500,000 admissions in four weeks
The film received production support from Neom, which provided assistance with crew, location scouting, logistics and on-the-ground production expertise. Saudi independent film Hobal , directed by Abdulaziz Alshlahei, has made history as the fastest-growing independent film in the kingdom, surpassing 500,000 admissions within just four weeks. Written by Mufarrij Almajfel, Hobal tells the story of a Bedouin family struggling with isolation in the aftermath of the Gulf War. The film features Ibrahim Al-Hassawi, Mishaal Almutairi and Mila Alzahrani. Since its release on January 2, Hobal has sold 527,000 tickets and grossed SAR 21,633,556 (approximately $5.8m). It has maintained its dominance at the Saudi box office, holding the number one position for four consecutive weeks. Following an opening week with 119,717 admissions, the film has continued to sell out screenings in major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, as well as rural areas, which accounted for over 20% of total ticket sales. Expanding its reach to Kuwait, the UAE, Oman and Bahrain on January 23, Hobal has already secured over 87,000 additional admissions in the region. The film was produced by Shaf Studios, with Egypt's Film Clinic and Peninsula Pictures Group serving as co-producers. Producer Sharif Almajali, p.g.a, led the production alongside executive producers Abdulaziz Alshlahei, Mofarij Almujfel, and Mohamed Al Turki. Hobal received support from the Daw' Film Competition, the Saudi Film Commission, the Quality of Life Programme, and Neom, in addition to contributions from private sector partners. Much of the film was shot at the newly established Bajdah Studios near Neom, as well as in the striking desert and mountainous landscapes along Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast in Tabuk.
