The Marché Buzz: Day 3

Movies and Morals

The Cannes film festival has a focus on inclusivity, meaning filmmakers and film companies from all over the world are welcome to attend and then expand the film industry back to their native countries. With that being said, one country in particular has a questionable history that conflicts with bringing the film industry home: Saudi Arabia. Last year at the festival, Saudi Arabia had its own pavilion on the Croisette in hopes of creating relationships between the country and international film companies, specifically to bring Hollywood- type productions to their own industry. The country had intended to become a movie capital in the Middle East, but with the political unrest caused by the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi between last year’s festival and this year’s, the nation has seemed to back track in regard to support of industry expansion. This year, there is no Saudi Arabian pavilion, and much less positive attention. Despite these set-backs, many companies are still showing interest saying the country can effectively modernize. 

Imax has announced their intent to expand in Saudi Arabia despite “moral issues” because of market potential. AMC is following the same path, planning to open dozens of theaters in a country that just recently lifted a ban on having theaters at all. Even with the support of many individuals in the film industry, Saudi Arabia has been keeping a low profile at the festival this year, and all of these issues between morals and movie markets have made it difficult for the country to create international relationships and bring the industry into their country. The country essentially started from nothing in regard to its now present film industry, and with the support of major companies like Imax, only more can be done to further the presence of movies in this modernizing country.