In a country where movie theaters had been banned for almost three decades, the Jeddah Film Festival presents aspiring Saudi filmmakers and actors with a rare opportunity to mingle with more experienced peers from other countries."Late last night, the governorate of Jeddah notified us of the festival's cancellation, after it received instructions from official parties. We were not told why," Mamdouh Salem, one of the festival's organizers, said Saturday. He did not elaborate.
Saudi writer Abdullah Al-Alami said he was not sure why the fourth Jeddah festival, expected to start in the Islamic kingdom's most liberal city Saturday, was canceled. "However, there is a trend of attacking cultural festivities. ... This is a dark day for art and literature in our modern history," he said.
King Abdullah has tried cautious reforms in the US ally, which has no elected parliament, but diplomats say he is facing resistance from conservatives opposing changes. Many religious conservatives in the kingdom believe films from more liberal Arab countries such as Egypt could violate religious taboos. Some also view cinema and acting, as a form of dissembling, as inconsistent with Islam.
"The film festival was canceled upon indirect instructions from the Interior Ministry," said an official at the Information and Culture Ministry.
