The film is expected to screen twice at Vox Cinemas 5 in Red Sea Mall during the festival's runtime.
Saudi filmmaker Hayder Dawood’s documentary short, The Last Winter, has been selected officially to be screened in the New Saudi/New Cinema section of the upcoming third edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival. The festival is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from November 30 to December 9.
The film is slated to be screened twice during the festival at the Red Sea Mall’s Vox Cinemas 5 — first on Tuesday, December 5 at 4 pm, and then again on Friday, December 8 at 7 pm.
Expressing his excitement about the premiere, Dawood expressed gratitude and joy at the opportunity to present his film’s world premiere in his homeland. He described The Last Winter as a window into the soul of a Saudi artist, offering a narrative of longing and ambition that encapsulates the essence of pursuing dreams in a foreign land with the hope of contributing meaningfully upon returning to one’s homeland.
The Last Winter embarks on a personal journey, weaving the director’s story with the broader narrative of Saudi Arabia’s cultural transformation and the burgeoning cinema industry. The documentary captures the essence of being far from home while nurturing the aspiration to contribute to cultural heritage within the emerging cinematic landscape of Saudi Arabia.
Set against the backdrop of a Swedish winter, the film provides a lighthearted yet sincere critique of the artistic struggle and the overarching challenges faced within the film industry. The narrative follows Mohsen, who reunites with his friend Hayder four years after his initial journey to Sweden, brimming with a deep longing for their shared homeland of Saudi Arabia.
As they navigate through Hayder’s final winter in Sweden, their friendship deepens, becoming a source of support and comfort amid a backdrop of longing and change.
With worldwide distribution rights handled by MAD Solutions, The Last Winter boasts a talented cast including Mohsen Ahmed, Hayder Dawood, Daniel Vasilca, and Alina Vasilca. Hayder and Mohsen are credited as the writers, with Hayder also serving as the director of photography and editor.
Hayder Dawood, a visionary Saudi filmmaker, has dedicated his cinematic journey to capturing and documenting local narratives deeply rooted in the tapestry of Saudi culture. In 2018, Hayder’s artistic trajectory took a leap as he pursued graduate studies in Sweden, infusing new dimensions into his work with themes of home, nostalgia, and cultural identity.
