The 4th Red Sea International Film Festival Continues to Attract Global Audiences
The 4th Red Sea International Film Festival, held in the port city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, continues to draw audiences from around the world.
This year’s festival features an extensive program with over 120 films from 81 countries, and 16 films are competing in the Feature Film Competition.
One of the standout productions of the festival is the Sudanese drama “My Driver and I”. The film explores the deep connection between a taxi driver and a young Saudi woman whom he drives. Mustafa Shehata, the lead actor of the film, describes it as a very personal and emotional story.
Shehata summarizes the film’s main theme: “The film tells the story of an immigrant taxi driver and how he treats a young customer like his daughter. This man, who has a daughter in Sudan, has not returned to his country for a long time.” Despite the significant differences in age and culture, the film reveals that the driver forms a deep bond over the years with his young customer, Salma. “This is a story about how the girl’s parents trust her—her father is at work, and her mother is constantly busy,” Shehata adds.
Saudi Arabia is increasingly expanding its influence in the fields of film, sports, and entertainment. Since its launch in 2021, the Red Sea International Film Festival has attracted major global talents. This year’s event will feature Bollywood stars Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, as well as Academy Award winners Viola Davis and Spike Lee.
However, some critics argue that such events are organized to divert attention from concerns about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. These film festivals also aim to create a positive impact on the country’s international reputation and cultural influence.
