Shahd Alhamdan

Saudi Gazette

 



JEDDAH — For the first time ever, a short Saudi movie “Hurma” will be screened at the Berlin International Film Festival that kicked off last Thursday.



According to Al-Youm newspaper, “Hurma” has been made by filmmaker Ahad Kamel who is also the protagonist in the film.



Kamel plays the role of a poor pregnant woman trying to save her unborn baby with limited resources.



Majority of the scenes have been shot in Jeddah’s poorest districts. Kamel said that the film was made with very limited resources.



“Hurma” is Kamel’s second short film. Her first short film “Alkondarji” won the golden award for the “best Middle East’s short movie” in Beirut Carnival in 2009.



Kamel studied acting and filming in the US, and was one of the members of the Arbitration Committee in Abu Dhabi Cinema Festival in 2012.



Abeer Khaled, a Saudi graduate, said: “This achievement will give hope and encourage other women to be positive about how powerful they are and how they can contribute to the society.”



Saudi national Rozaina Ahmed said: “I think it is wonderful that Saudi women are exploring new opportunities. It will encourage other females to get in touch with their creativity.”



The ten-day festival will show a series of films from around the world.