Norah (Arabic: نورة) is a 2023 Saudi film written, directed and produced by Tawfik Alzaidi. It stars Yagoub Alfarhan, Maria Bahrawi and Abdullah Alsadhan. It is the first Saudi movie to be shot entirely at Al Ula.
| Norah | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Tawfik Alzaidi |
| Written by | Tawfik Alzaidi |
| Produced by | Tawfik Alzaidi |
| Starring | Yagoub Alfarhan Abdullah Alsadhan Maria Bahrawi |
| Cinematography | Shaun Harley Lee |
| Edited by | Mounir Soussi |
| Music by | Omar Fadel |
Production companies | Black Sugar pictures Nebras Films |
| Distributed by | Front Row Filmed Entertainment |
Release dates | |
Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Language | Arabic |
The film had its world premiere at the third edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival in December 2023. It was also the first Saudi film to be selected for the Cannes Film Festival as a part of the Un Certain Regard competition, where it was screened on 23 May 2024.[1]
The film was produced through a fund award from the Daw Film Competition by the Film Commission under the Saudi Ministry of Culture and support from the Red Sea International Film Festival and Film AlUla.[2]
Plot
editThe film's storyline revolves around Nader, an artist who gives up his passion for art to teach children in a remote village in western Saudi Arabia, and Norah, who lives an independent life with her younger brother Nayef after the death of their parents in a road accident when she was young. The movie explores the relationship between Nader and Norah on their journey of artistic discovery.[3][4]
Cast
edit- Yagoub Alfarhan as Nader
- Maria Bahrawi as Norah
- Abdullah Alsadhan as Abu Salem
- Aixa Kay as Munifa
- Abdulrahman Alwafi as Naif
Awards
editNorah’s script won a fund award from the Daw Film Competition by the Saudi Film Commission and Saudi Ministry of Culture in September 2019. It also won the Best Saudi Feature Film Award at the 2023 Red Sea International Film Festival (Third Edition).[5][6]
Accolades
edit| Award | Ceremony date | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cannes Film Festival | 24 May 2024 | Un Certain Regard | Tawfik Alzaidi | Nominated | |
| Un Certain Regard – Special Mention | Won | [7] |
References
edit- ^ "The Screenings Guide of the 77th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. 8 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
- ^ "Saudi Film 'Norah,' Directed By Tawfik Alzaidi, Is Under Production And Will Be Filmed In AlUla". Grazia Middle East. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
- ^ "Saudi director Tawfik Alzaidi: 'A filmmaker needs to understand the human soul'". Arab News. 2023-11-17. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
- ^ "Saudi Film 'Norah,' Directed By Tawfik Alzaidi, Is Under Production And Will Be Filmed In AlUla". Grazia Middle East. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
- ^ GINALSKA, KAROLINA (2024-01-16), "Transnational Coproductions and Questions of International Festival Films from Saudi Arabia and Oman", Reorienting the Middle East, Indiana University Press, pp. 185–206, doi:10.2307/jj.8441694.10, ISBN 978-0-253-06758-6, retrieved 2024-04-21
- ^ "The Red Sea International Film Festival 2023 Closing Night And Awards – Red Sea Film". Retrieved 2024-04-21.
- ^ Lodge, Guy (24 May 2023). "Cannes Film Festival: 'Black Dog' Wins Un Certain Regard Award". Variety. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
