Saudi Arabia lifts decades-long ban on cinemas

– ‘Catalyst for economic growth’ –

The lifting of the ban represents a huge opportunity for regional movie chains that have long eyed Saudi Arabia as the Middle East’s last untapped mass market.

Dubai-based Majid Al Futtaim, which owns the VOX Cinemas chain, said it was looking to launch movie theatres in the kingdom.

“These are exciting times and (we) will work with the kingdom to extend the footprint of our VOX Cinemas brand to Saudi Arabia in the months ahead,” Majid Al Futtaim said in a statement.

Without cinemas, filmmakers said investment in films was unlikely to flourish and the depiction of society would not move beyond the foreign portrayal of Saudis as extremist or culturally primitive.

“Now our young men and women will show the world possibilities and stories worth seeing,” Saudi filmmaker Aymen Tarek Jamal said on Twitter.

“Congratulations to the 2030 Generation.”

The reform stems partly from an economic motive to boost domestic spending on entertainment as the kingdom reels from a protracted slump in oil prices.

Saudis splurge billions of dollars annually to see movie shows and visit amusement parks in neighbouring tourist hubs like Dubai.

“Opening cinemas will act as a catalyst for economic growth and diversification,” Alawwad said.

“By developing the broader cultural sector we will create new employment and training opportunities,” the information minister said, adding the cinema industry was expected to generate 30,000 permanent jobs by 2030.