Proceeds go to SANAD Society for cancer patients
Rotana Holding Chaired by HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Alsaud launched the official cinema during the premiere of the first Saudi film 'Menahi' produced by Rotana at the King Fahad Cultural Centre in a Riyadh on 6th June 2009. The event was attended by Mr. Fayez Al-Maliki, the main character in the film 'Menahi' and a forthcoming sequel and a team from Rotana. The event was also attended by other celebrities, businessmen and the media.
Prince Alwaleed commented: "Saudi Films and theatres arrived with Rotana's film Menahi. We will support the success and advancement of Saudi cinema within the framework of our culture and tradition. The launch of the first authorized showing of the film is an extension of our efforts to produce local films and we sponsored of the Jeddah Film Festival. We will keep driving for change on all fronts in Saudi society."
As an extension for this drive for change, Prince Alwaleed sponsored the first Saudi film, first Saudi lady pilot and first Saudi lady equestrian jockey, and currently employs a ratio of 64% ladies to 36% men in Kingdom Holding Company a first for a Saudi company.
The Prince donated the proceeds from the showing of 'Menahi' in Riyadh to SANAD Society for cancer patients, and the proceeds from its previous showing went towards the 4th Jeddah Film Festival that was held in Taif and Jeddah that was also sponsored by Rotana.
Rotana released the production of its Saudi film 'Menahi' for the first time in Saudi cinema's in Jeddah and Taif with a premiere that took place on the second day of Eid Al Adha, 9th December 2008. In an unprecedented event in Saudi Arabia, the film was aired at the King Abdulaziz Cultural Centre in Jeddah. The showing ran for 9 consecutive days, airing 8 times a day in Jeddah and Taif. This marked the first introduction of cinema in Riyadh and the re-appearance of cinema in Saudi Arabia with an absence of more than 35 years.
'Menahi' premiered in Geneva and Paris and number of Arab countries, in addition to Egyptian film theatres. It was the first time that a film produced in a GCC country is shown on such a wide scale and was also in cinemas in Bahrain for 2 months. Moreover, Menahi was aired at the Prince Faisal bin Fahad hall at the Literary Club of Riyadh and will be showing in Abha during the Abha Festival, and the Eastern Province.
-Ends-
© Press Release 2009
