Opinion

The return of cinemas

March 16, 2018
The return of cinemas

Abdullah Omar Khayat

Okaz Newspaper

TWENTY years ago, there were about 10 cinemas that included outdoor cinemas in Jeddah alone. The entrance fee used to be between SR5 and SR10. There were also more video rental shops that allowed people to watch movies at home. Suddenly and without warning, these facilities were shut.

According to Okaz, cinemas will once more screen movies in a formal and organized way. Furthermore, this decision will create 150,000 jobs. This is taking place with the approval of the Board of Directors of the General Commission for Audio-Visual Media (GCAM) and Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awwad Saleh Al-Awwad. Licenses will be issued to those wishing to open cinemas. Licenses are scheduled to be issued soon within 90 days.

As the regulator of the sector, the Ministry of Culture and Information said in a press statement that GCAM will start procedures to open cinemas in the Kingdom. The content of films will also be censored according to the Kingdom’s media standards. The ministry also confirmed that the offer would be in accordance with the Kingdom’s values and law, including the provision of meaningful and purposeful content that does not conflict with Shari’a Law and does not prejudice the Kingdom’s morals.

A large number of filmmakers in Saudi Arabia have welcomed the news. Film director Mamdouh Salem told Okaz that allowing cinemas would benefit the local film industry, help filmmakers to compete with each other in producing films and result in an economic benefit to the Kingdom. This is especially the case since people are no longer satisfied by television channels.


March 16, 2018
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