The Saudi film “The Prisoner”, currently screening on Amazon Prime Video, focuses on marital problems. Shot in Egypt, the film is directed by Egyptian filmmaker Mahmoud Kamel, written by Ahmed al- Malawani, and starred by Joy Award-winner Elham Ali, Saudi actor Khaled Sakr, and Egyptian kid Rim Abdelkader.
The story is about Ammar (Khaled Sakr) and Rawan (Elham Ali), a couple who admit that their life has become miserable after losing their son; based on their daughter Rim’s advice, they temporarily move to another house owned by Ammar’s work partner, seeking rest and relief from sadness.
After moving to the new house, Rim spends most of her time on her phone, while Rawan blames her husband for her suffering, convinced that his non-stop work in Dubai took them from their son when he needed them the most, which deepens Ammar’s sadness and guilt.
“I am one of those actresses who prefer to prepare for their character by studying it. My character, Rawan is a woman who lost her son, she is depressed and sad, so I tried as much as I can to simulate this loss by reading the script and meeting with people who experienced such situation,” Ali told Asharq Al-Awsat about the preparations for her role.
“I tried to imagine how could someone face such loss. I was keen to deliver the emotions I heard about from people, I tried to understand the meaning of losing a child and to be a mother. Losing a child does not only lead to depression and sorrow, so I asked questions and looked for people who lived the same experience so I can deliver these emotions while playing the role of Rawan,” she added.
“I loved the film for many reasons, mainly my passion for thrillers which I really enjoy watching. Shooting ‘The Prisoner’ was one of the most enjoyable experiences for me, and I enjoyed watching it. I loved the team I worked with, and the project as a whole, especially that it was overseen by Fadi Ismail, who was like a big brother that took care of all of us,” Elham said.
“Everyone was professional behind the scenes, we worked together in friendly ambiances, a factor that personally encourages me to work in any project, because I believe that what comes from the heart will touch others’ hearts,” she said, describing the shooting experience in Egypt as rich.
Ali believes that “the story of Rawan and Ammar is common in our community because most married couples face similar problems. The real problem is the lack of communication amidst the tense and stressed circumstances they live in. I think it is a real problem that prompts married couples to suppress their emotions and build wrong ideas that lead to blaming the partner.”
