The film is a co-production between King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture and Film Clinic.
The 24th edition of the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival (RAFF), slated to run from May 30 to June 2, will commence with the screening of the Saudi film Hajjan, directed by Egyptian filmmaker Abu Bakr Shawky.
Hajjan is a Saudi-Egyptian-Jordanian co-production from 2023, directed and written by Abu Bakr Shawky. It stars child actor Omar Al-Atawi in his debut role, alongside Azam Nemr, Toleen Barbood, Abdulmohsen Alnemr, Shaimaa Al Tayeb, Ibrahim Alhasawi, and Mohamed Hilal.
Having premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, Hajjan will make its Nordic premiere at the Malmö Festival. Produced by Mohamed Hefzy and Majed Z. Samman, co-produced by Rula Nasser, and with production services in Saudi Arabia provided by Yellow Camel, the film is distributed by Film Clinic-Indie Distribution in the Arab world. International distribution is overseen by Film Constellation.
The filmmaking journey unfolded across 21 days of shooting, set against the picturesque backdrop of Jordan’s landscapes, during the month of December 2022. The primary filming locales sprawled across the Wadi Rum region in southern Jordan, in addition to Dabbba, the southern enclave of the capital, Amman. Notably, this cinematic garnered substantial support from the Royal Film Commission, availing itself of the commission’s financial incentives.
Hajjan narrates the story of brothers Matar and Ghanim, inhabitants of the vast Saudi Arabian desert. Faced with tragedy, young Matar delves into camel racing to protect his camel, Hofira. Employed by the ruthless owner Jasser, Matar must go to great lengths to fight for Hofira’s life in this timeless coming-of-age drama.
Produced by the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture “Ithra” and Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzy, the film underscores Ithra’s significant role in developing Saudi cinema.
