RSIFF: Raising the curtain, well begun is half done

RSIFF: Raising the curtain, well begun is half done

At the Spectacular festival, the opening film had to be one from the Spectacular Gala. They chose a supernatural comedy, called Hjwn. In attendance were music video specialist Yasir Alyasiri (Iraqi director; producer writer On Borrowed Time-2018, 122-2019, Murk Light 2012-3), Nour Alkhadra (actress), Baraa Alem (actor), Naif Aldaferi (actor) and Shaimaa Al Tayeb (actress). Based on the best-selling Saudi Arabian fantasy novel by Ibraheem Abbas, Hwjn is set in a world where djinn (called and spelt jin in South Asia, akin to ghosts, spirits and angels, but not with the same powers or agenda) have crossed a traditional barrier, and are living invisibly among humans.

Hwjn’s life is turned upside down when a human family moves into his own family’s Jeddah home, oblivious to the fact it is already occupied by magical beings. Open-hearted Hwjn (Baraa Alem) is increasingly fascinated by these alien interlopers, especially by the beautiful Sawsan, a medical student (Nour Alkhadra). Could a portal open between their respective dimensions? And if it did, would that bring about harmony, or a war between the worlds? Talking to Arab News, Dubai, before the big night, the film-maker said: “I feel really surreal. Getting to open the festival in Jeddah about a story set in Jeddah itself is pretty fantastic.”

Sumptuous and romantic, Hwjn takes us on a journey into a kingdom of the imagination where anything seems possible. An interesting idea of turning the horror genre upside down, it fell short on the humour content. Hjwn was 118 minutes in duration. After going halfway, it was going nowhere. And, sitting through the entire film, would most probably missing dinner. So, my hunger won. I made my way to the Festival Garden, a scintillatingly and imaginatively created haven for eating and meeting. The food was international, but South Asia was missing from the menu. Never mind, there were a few items that I could eat, and sumptuous dessert. The same luxury cars, with RSIFF painted on them, which had brought the delegates and the press to RC, dropped them back to their respective hotels.

Of the 17 films in the competition section, Insha’Allah, a Boy was chosen to inaugurate the section. This one is a simple title: God Willing, a Boy. A strong woman subject, it was directed by due empathy and more by a male director. When Jordanian housewife Nawall wakes up to find her husband lying dead beside her, her troubles have only just begun. Bereaved and bewildered, she finds she is under attack from her brother-in-law who is claiming half her home, custody of her daughter and immediate payment of debts her husband left behind that she didn’t know existed. Her only hope is that her husband has left her pregnant – and with a boy, who will be entitled to inherit their home. Nawall is no rebel, but she will put up a desperate fight for the right to live a normal life.

Mouna Hawa delivers a powerhouse performance while director Amjad Al-Rasheed turns up the tension, keeping you on the edge of your seat. From his very first short film The Parrot director Amjad Al Rashid was distinguishing with his talent. The Parrot got the support of the Robert Bosch fund. The film tackled the story of Al Nakba in Palestine, starring well-known actress Hinde Sabri. Inshallah, A Boy had its world première at the Cannes Film Festival, in the category of Critics Week, and was the first participation of Jordan at this very prestigious Film Festival. The film also had its North American premiere at Toronto International Film Festival. Inshallah, A Boy illustrates an identity in Jordanian Cinema, and

Al Rashid did an amazing job in the mise en scène and directing the actors. A sure contender for the Best Film Award. And thus was the opening Gala, and the so were two of the first films I saw. One okay, one very good. Lots more to come. Insha’Allah, a Boy means well begun. But, it’s nowhere near half done for this writer. So, follow these pages.

-Siraj Syed