Saudi cinemas to release Saudi-Japanese anime move 'The Journey' on June 17

Manga epic “The Journey”, which was co-produced with Japan, has received a certificate of release and classification from the General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAM).

The film was produced by Saudi Arabia’s Manga Productions, a Misk Foundation subsidiary, and Japan’s Toei Animatio.

The film will be the first release to benefit from new rules on ticket sales designed to help Saudi film makers.

In April, the commission’s board of directors decided that local films would no longer have to pay a portion of ticket sales to the commission in an effort to support Saudi producers, artists and content makers.

Directed by renowned Shizuno Kobun, “The Journey” was shot using anime-style animation and took two-and-a-half years to make.

The film’s makers said the Saudi and Japanese crew took time to create a blend of each country’s culture.

Set about 1,500 years ago, the film presents the ancient civilizations in the Arabian Peninsula and Middle East. It follows the story of Aws and the people of Makkah who are forced to take up arms to liberate themselves and their city from enslavement by a ruthless general.