The Saudi short film “Great Secret of Barsim” is partaking in the 9th edition of the Alexandria Short Film Festival between 16 and 21 February.
The “Great Secret of Barsim” is directed and written by Sultan Rabih, starred by Yassine Ghazzawi and Majed al-Turki, and cinematographed by Abdelhamid Khan. The story of the film revolves around Barsim, a young man looking for a job. During an interview, Barsim hides a secret that might destroy his chances to get that job.
“We finished the filming about a year ago. The real shooting needed around three days, but it took us around two weeks to finish because the actors had other commitments,” director Rabih told Asharq Al-Awsat about his film.
Rabih said he was surprised with the huge success the film achieved when screened at the Saudi Film Festival, noting that “the first display was during the Saudi Film Festival and the audience loved it. I won’t lie to you, I didn’t expect this great success in the first show. The film was also displayed at the Arab Film Festival in Los Angeles, but I didn’t have the chance to be there.”
About the film’s forthcoming steps, the Saudi director said: “Few days ago, we got the approval to display the ‘Great Secret of Barsim’ at the Faten Hamama Film Festival, in the UK. It is also set to make its first African participation at the Alexandria Short Film Festival. I am happy to watch it there since I didn’t see that beautiful city before.”
“The participation of Saudi films in the Alexandria Short Film Festival is not new, it goes back to several editions, reflecting the remarkable advancement of the cinema in the Kingdom which was present in major festivals and events worldwide. This year, one Saudi short film is partaking in the Arabic Film Contest and the number might increase after the announcement of the other contests,” Egyptian film critic Mohamed Nabil, director of the festival’s press center, told Asharq Al-Awsat.
The ‘Great Secret of Barsim’ partakes in the Arabic Film Contest at the Alexandria Short Film Festival chaired by director Mohammed Mahmoud. The contest also includes seven other films: “What Happens in Nadine’s Life” (Egypt); “Better Alone” (Iraq); “Boumela” (Algeria); “Charter” (Morocco); “Alive” (Jordan); “Call” (Tunisia); and “Whistle” (Iraq).
