Image Nation, MBC, and VOX Promise Jeddah-Based Supernatural Drama “HWJN” At Red Sea Film Festival
The current version of the Red Sea International Film Festival is currently running in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and it will conclude on December 10th, 2022.
Vox Cinemas showcased its debut slate of original Arabic movies on Friday at the Red Sea International Film Festival. This is consistent with the company’s pledge from last year, when it vowed to produce 25 movies in the area over a five-year period.
The line-up includes movies made by both seasoned Arab directors and upcoming new talents, according to the sources. Among these is “HWJN,” an upcoming Middle Eastern film directed by Iraqi filmmaker Yasir Al Yasiri. Previously, “King of the Ring,” which was shown at the festival, was also a collaboration between Vox, Image Nation, and MBC Studios.
“HWJN” Plot
HWJN, a best-selling young adult novel by author Ibraheem Abbas, became a literary sensation in Saudi Arabia in 2013 as a result of its innovative blending of Western sci-fi tropes with Arabic culture and mythology.
The plot centers on a benevolent Jinn who coexists with people in contemporary Jeddah and sets out on an epic quest to restore his inheritance and preserve harmony between the natural and paranormal worlds.
He unexpectedly strikes up a romantic relationship with Sawsan, a young medical student, along the journey.
The cast of “HWJN”
Ten years later, Gulf region powerhouses Image Nation Abu Dhabi, MBC Studios, and Vox Cinemas are bringing HWJN to the big screen as part of their original 2019 Cannes Film Festival announcement of their film and TV production alliance.
In a special presentation at the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, the partners debuted the first trailer for the movie and revealed the cast.
Along with Nour Alkhadra, Nayef Althifery, Alanoud Saud, and Mohsen Mansour, the cast also includes emerging Saudi actor Baraa Alem, who co-starred with Fatima AlBanawi in the Red Sea 2021 film Route 10.
According to Abbas, turning his book into a big-screen adaptation was an amazing process. He was grateful to the director, cast, and crew for truly grasping the book’s concept, and he believes that HWJN admirers from all over the world would enjoy watching their beloved characters come to life.
As per Ignace Lahoud, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, it had been an interesting opportunity for Arabic film as it had been rising in popularity and viewership in the region and well beyond surpassing hollywood films.
The film is slated for release in 2023.
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