I wanted to show whats happening now in Saudi instead of the past or the future, says Kalthami.
The film documents some spaces and some things that may not exist in the future.
It is expected to do well.
‘Night Courier’Telfaz11
The director took inspiration for the character of Fahad from two real-life experiences.
I went to a gathering in Riyadh where there were lots of famous people.
People treat you like a robot, like youre not a person.
That has stayed with me until this day, he recounts.
Theres a lot of resistance or struggle with change here.
I see Fahad in friends and relatives, says Kalthami.
AlDokhei is a long-time collaborator of Kalthami who up until now has focused on comedic roles.
I could sense he wanted something else… A Sigma Male is a guy who wants to be an Alpha Male but doesnt have all the tools.
We went to a psychiatrist.
We were like we have this character, read him.
He gave us three pages of notes, says Algarawi.
He said, What Im seeing is a guy with general anxiety disorder.
We wanted Sara to be the antithesis of Fahad.
This is a new set up, new environment, new world.
It used to be something and now its something else, says Kalthami.
I was sitting way at the back and looking at the women to see how they responded.
I could see they were laughing in recognition of the situation, they had been there.
Swap this with anything illegal else and the story still fits.
We have a 15 rating, says Kalthami.
The GCAM (Saudi Arabias General Commission for Audiovisual Media) loved it.
I appreciate these alternative systems, that dont exist elsewhere.
I like to show the nuances of the differences of our culture, says Kalthami.
We have a filmmaker point of view and a business point of view.
Im glad we are functioning in that way, he adds of the Telfaz11 set up.
Paris-based MPM Premium is handling international sales.
