We sat down with visionary director Ali Kalthami to delve into his creative process behind Mandoob and explore the exciting changing artistic landscape in Saudi Arabia.
In this exclusive interview, we have the privilege of sitting down with Ali Kalthami, a prominent Saudi Arabian producer, writer, and director who co-founded the pioneering production company Telfaz11. Known for his innovative storytelling and a profound commitment to capturing the essence of Riyadh, Ali discusses his latest feature film, Mandoob, presented at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival. This film offers a fresh perspective on the vibrant city of Riyadh and its evolving landscape. Ali shares his creative process, from the decision to explore Riyadh’s uncharted territories on film to crafting a unique character, Fahad, who navigates the city’s ups and downs with a touch of humor. Additionally, he sheds light on the changing artistic landscape in Saudi Arabia and his exciting vision for the future of cinema in the region. Join us as we delve into the world of Ali Kalthami and the fascinating journey behind Mandoob.
“I was excited to film my own city, using a character who serves as the viewer’s eyes to explore Riyadh.”
Mehdi Balamissa: What inspired you to make a film about Riyadh, a city that hasn’t been explored much in cinema?
Director Ali Kalthami: Well, I call Riyadh my home, and I’ve witnessed its various phases. Over the past three decades, Riyadh had been developing at a slow pace, but in the last seven years, it has experienced exponential growth. When I leave the city for just a month and return, I discover new facets of it. Riyadh is transforming into a global city with international events, and the influx of people is making it more crowded. Now, I can compare Riyadh to other major cities I’ve seen in films like New York, Tokyo, Cairo, and Los Angeles. However, I’ve noticed that Riyadh isn’t often depicted on screen. In the past, filming in Riyadh was challenging, and many producers preferred shooting abroad in houses pretending to be in Riyadh. But this approach loses the essence of the city. Cinema, in my opinion, should capture the life and essence of a city. So, I was excited to film my own city, using a character who serves as the viewer’s eyes to explore Riyadh. He drives through the city, from affluent to less privileged neighborhoods, taking the audience on a journey with him.
Mehdi Balamissa: How did you go about filming Riyadh?
Director Ali Kalthami: About three or four months before we began shooting the film, I decided to collaborate with five cameramen. Each of them mounted a camera on their car, and we started documenting the city in this unique way. Our goal was to reacquaint ourselves with Riyadh and discover the things we often take for granted. We spent months filming, aiming to get to know our city better and researching its diverse neighborhoods, their history, and their evolving architecture and modern design. This process was quite fascinating because Riyadh is home to numerous talented designers, and companies, which come from abroad sometimes, like South Koreas or Spanish companies. After thoroughly documenting the city, we had a wealth of material to envision the character of Fahad and his relationship with Riyadh. This allowed us to determine which parts of the city would best represent Fahad’s emotional journey throughout the story and how to film them. I also drew from my knowledge of cinema, particularly Italian cinema, to depict specific parts of the city in a way that complements the character’s development. Today, when I drive through the city, I don’t just see cars; I view the city through the lens of how people embrace it, its demographics, and the dynamics beneath the surface that shape its true identity. This perspective enables us to witness cultural and economic shifts in each neighborhood, some of which have become more attractive than before.
“The connections we share with the rest of the world are more significant than our differences.”
Mehdi Balamissa: Riyadh serves as a vibrant backdrop for Fahad’s adventures. How did you approach developing a character who faces significant challenges yet maintains a comic tone?
Director Ali Kalthami: As a filmmaker, my intention was to showcase my city through a narrative rather than a documentary. From the outset, we wanted to create a character whose life was falling apart, yet we aimed to infuse some humor into his personality to evoke empathy. After the second draft, my co-writer, Mohammed Algarawi, and I worked on refining the script to define our character more precisely – his speech, behavior, and overall demeanor. Actor Mohammed Aldokhi is experienced and known for his comedic talents, similar to actors like Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, or Steve Carell. Making people laugh, especially in film, is no small feat, and working with Mohammed Aldokhi, a truly talented actor, was a pleasure. In just a few seconds, he can make you laugh, then feel anxious, and finally, awkward. This range of acting quickly establishes a connection with the audience. His versatility allowed us to explore themes like ego and loneliness, which underlie the film’s narrative.
Mehdi Balamissa: The film presents Riyadh’s nightlife in a unique way. Can you elaborate on this representation?
Director Ali Kalthami: Western audiences may not be familiar with the nightlife in our country, but Saudi Arabians are aware of its existence, though it’s rarely portrayed the way we depicted it. Typically, nightlife is shown from the perspective of those enjoying it, those who are part of it. In contrast, our film portrays nightlife through the eyes of Fahad, who is an outsider. The nightlife we depict in the film is not fictional; it’s rooted in reality. It’s a common misconception to think that Middle Eastern countries have a singular, uniform population. This couldn’t be further from the truth. We are a diverse society with a wide range of beliefs and layers. The connections we share with the rest of the world are more significant than our differences. In Saudi Arabia, three-quarters of the population are young people, and the youth have become global citizens. A teenager in Saudi Arabia has much in common with a teenager in Nigeria, for example. I believe our film touches on this concept and normalizes the behaviors it portrays. While there are stereotypes about Saudi Arabia being a strict and conservative society, I don’t believe these stereotypes hold true anymore. Saudi people exhibit a wide range of characteristics.
“Today, we are experiencing necessary changes, and the artistic endeavors happening in Saudi Arabia are incredibly exciting. I believe our era will be remembered as a Renaissance period.”
Mehdi Balamissa: Recent freedoms granted in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the realm of entertainment, seem to be influencing the arts. How do you view this exciting time for Saudi Arabian artists?
Director Ali Kalthami: My mission as a filmmaker is to encapsulate the spirit of the times and the changes they bring. I want my films to serve as witnesses and mirrors of the era, so they can be viewed as testimonials in the future. Indeed, change is underway in my country, especially in Riyadh, and I want to embrace these changes in my films. I’m delighted to live in this era of greater openness, freedom, and opportunities. People in Saudi Arabia now have new avenues for entertainment. As a young person, I once longed for more freedom and the opportunity to have fun like young people in the rest of the world. Today, we are experiencing necessary changes, and the artistic endeavors happening in Saudi Arabia are incredibly exciting. I believe our era will be remembered as a Renaissance period, infusing change not only in Saudi Arabia but also in the broader Middle East. I’m thrilled to be part of this transformative movement.
Mehdi Balamissa: What’s next for you in this exciting period of change?
Director Ali Kalthami: I’m keen to build upon what I’ve learned while working on Mandoob. I’m a prolific writer, so I’m currently developing three or four major projects. I also have the opportunity to create a TV show. I want to delve deeper into the dark comedy genre and challenge myself further in terms of visual storytelling. Most importantly, I’m excited about my journey in filmmaking and hope to continue producing films with the same sincerity I poured into Mandoob. This is my approach to cinema and my future projects.
Acknowledgements: Ali Kalthami, Marcin J. Sobczak.
