Having dominated the Saudi box office for three consecutive weeks, the Saudi film 'Mandoob,' helmed by director Ali AlKalthami, will have its US premiere.
Saudi dark comedic crime thriller, Mandoob (Night Courier), backed by the Red Sea Film Foundation, is set for its US premiere at the ongoing 35th Palm Springs International Film Festival, running from January 4 to January 15.
Following its release in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on December 14, the film achieved remarkable success, garnering $1.58m from 114,000 admissions. This achievement marks the highest opening for a local title since Saudi Arabia lifted a 35-year ban on operating cinemas in December 2017. Mandoob has maintained its position at the top of the Saudi box office for three consecutive weeks.
Notably, Mandoob also secured the second-largest opening for an Arabic film in the territory, following the Egyptian romantic comedy Bahebek (I Love You), which amassed approximately $3m from 126,000 admissions in July 2022.
The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September before making its MENA premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah in December.
Directed by Ali Kalthami and produced by studio Telfaz11, co-founded by Kalthami, with support from the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation and Muvi Studios, Mandoob follows the protagonist Fahad, who, after being fired from his job in a call centre, turns to the underworld of Riyadh as a booze runner. The narrative unfolds as Fahad grapples with adversity to save his ailing father.
The film was shot entirely in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
