Latest news with #womenInCinema
The National
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Love is Blind Habibi host Elham Ali has big plans for her future in Saudi cinema
As I walk down the French Riviera during the Cannes Film Festival, it's like a league of nations, with pavilions from countries around the world lining the seafront. There is always something exciting brewing here, not least at the Saudi pavilion, where seven talented women have arrived as guests of the Red Sea Film Foundation. The Mena-focused festival is celebrating women in cinema, choosing those who are helping shape a new generation of talent in the Arab world, Africa and Asia. Among this stylish septet is Saudi actor and presenter Elham Ali, looking resplendent in a white trouser suit and silver jewellery. 'I'm here, first of all, to support Saudi women in cinema,' she tells The National amid a hectic afternoon of press meetings. One of the most prominent figures in Gulf and Saudi television, theatre and cinema – and co-presenter of Love is Blind Habibi alongside her husband Khaled Saqer – Ali has never been to Cannes before. But she sees it as more than just a chance to schmooze with A-listers. For Ali, who has been acting for more than a decade, coming to prominence in shows such as Rihana and The Way of Female Teachers, it's all about waving the Saudi flag, as the country's film industry continues to grow. Her mission, she says, is to help 'reiterate the importance of our culture and to convey the image of our culture to the world. I believe that, as Saudis, we are ready to be more present in the international arena and to be the storytellers of the Saudi story.' Ali is not the only Saudi talent the Red Sea International Film Festival has commandeered for its Women In Cinema initiative. She's joined by Sarah Taibah, the artist and filmmaker behind the acclaimed dark comedy series Jameel Jeddan. Others include Egyptian actor Amina Khalil, Syrian filmmaker Gaya Jiji and acclaimed Zambian-Welsh director Rungano Nyoni, whose work I Am Not A Witch and On Becoming a Guinea Fowl screened at Cannes. Last year, Norah became the first Saudi film officially selected for Cannes, while the Saudi-backed Red Sea Fund continues to invest in films that have made their way to the festival (including this year's Un Certain Regard entry Promised Sky). Ali suggests it's all a learning curve for the Saudi film industry. 'We need competition. Competition is useful, and we have been taking the first steps, good and healthy steps, because we need to learn and know more about the industry in general.' Does she feel there is increasing support for Saudi actresses in cinema? 'There is strong support given to the Saudi woman. Hence my presence here,' she says. 'And the support is not just for women in cinema, it's for women at large.' The international stage could be the next logical step. Ali has already worked in an English language film, the Saudi horror The Cello (2023), alongside Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons and Tobin Bell, the star of the Saw franchise. She's always been a horror film fan, 'especially Dracula', she says with a grin. As such, she is open to other English-speaking roles. 'If I feel the role is suitable for me and I am suitable for the role, definitely I will do it because I'm open to any learning experience.' Given The Cello was directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, the filmmaker behind multiple entries in the Saw series, I suggest that Ali may have an emerging career as a Saudi scream queen. 'I wish!' she say, her eyes lighting up. However, you're more likely to find her tapping away at a keyboard. 'I have a new passion, which is writing. Reading scripts gives me ideas.' So will we see her credited as a screenwriter in the future? 'I would love to try,' she smiles.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nicole Kidman champions gender equality at star-studded Cannes party
By Hanna Rantala and Miranda Murray CANNES, France (Reuters) - Australian actor Nicole Kidman vowed to keep pushing for gender equality in cinema at an exclusive party attended by celebrities like popstar Charli XCX and Irish actor Paul Mescal on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday. "I'm just an advocate and want to continue to keep moving forward with that, with my pledge from 2017, so it ain't over," said the Oscar-winning actor at the Women in Motion dinner at Cannes, part of a program set up by luxury group Kering in 2015. Kidman, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in "The Hours" in 2002, has worked with many of the leading male directors of her generation, but she pledged in 2017 to shoot with a female director every 18 months. She told journalists in the French Riviera resort town earlier on Sunday that in the eight years since, she's worked with 27 female directors, including projects in development. "Part of it is protecting and surrounding the women with almost like a force field of protection and support," she said. Other stars at the dinner included Dakota Johnson and Julianne Moore as well as Patrick Schwarzenegger of "The White Lotus." Director Guillermo del Toro was also in attendance. Brazilian director Marianna Brennand received the initiative's emerging talent award, which includes a grant of 50,000 euros ($55,920.00) to work on a second feature project. "If you look at the numbers, unfortunately, the numbers, they don't change," said French director Coralie Fargeat, whose Demi Moore-led body horror hit "The Substance" found widespread success after premiering at Cannes last year. "We really need to keep making huge changes and not cosmetic changes," she said. According to Women in Motion organisers, the share of women directors increased to only 13.6% from 7.5% among the top 100 box office films in the United States between 2015 and 2024. Seven out of the 22 films in competition this year were made by women, including an entry from Julia Ducournau, one of only three women to have ever won the Palme d'Or top prize. ($1 = 0.8941 euros)
