The Film ‘7 Dogs’ Enters the Guinness Book, Indicating Saudi Cinema’s Global Rise

At every stage of the filmmaking process, the Saudi film industry is undergoing a qualitative revolution. After the movie “7 Dogs” set two new world records in the Guinness Book of World Records, putting Saudi cinema on the international scene, an incredible accomplishment for Saudi cinema follows.

Remarkably, Turki Al-Sheikh clarified on Instagram that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally backed this accomplishment, which occurred through collaboration with various sectors and Al-Hisn Big Time Studios in Riyadh.

The Greatest Film Explosion

The film recorded an explosive force equal to 68.47 tonnes of TNT, breaking the record for the biggest explosion ever captured on camera. It also outperformed several other movie sequences, including ‘Spectre’ (2015). In 7 Dogs, the explosion weighed an impressive 170.7 tonnes. By raising the amount of TNT from 136.4 kg to 405.85 kg, the movie also surpassed the record set by ‘No Time To Die’ (2021) for the greatest explosion of high explosives in a single sequence.

These figures demonstrate Saudi cinema’s potential because of its state-of-the-art filmmaking facilities, which Al-Sheikh aimed to accomplish as part of Vision 2030. There is a lot of interest in the movie both domestically and abroad; therefore, he said it will be available soon.

“7 Dogs,” starring Karim Abdel Aziz and Ahmed Ezz, is the inaugural film shot at Al-Hisn Big Time Studios in Riyadh. Directed by the multinational team of Adel & Belal, the movie signifies Saudi cinema’s emergence as a leading global industry, introducing a new era of technological innovation, production ingenuity, star power, and compelling narratives.

The release of multiple films in local theatres during the sweltering summer in Saudi Arabia is a real litmus test for the Saudi public’s taste. The movie “Alzarfa” sold more than 594,000 tickets during its first showing and has now reached the top 10 Saudi box office films, coming in sixth place after five weeks of release. The film “Ambulance” is now available on digital platforms following a 12-week run in theatres. Along with the two earlier films, “Siwar” also sold 389,000 tickets during this time. Netflix has begun to broadcast “Siwar” in addition to screening it in Saudi theatres.

Read more: Saudi Cinema Makes Record-Breakingly High Profits

Saudi Cinema’s Reality in Light of Vision 2030

A number of pillars support the Saudi film industry as it exists now. These pillars represent advancements in Saudi audiences’ interest in films generally, as well as in local cinema production. Saudi cinema has seen a notable surge in Middle Eastern box office revenue growth rates, with 2022 revenue reaching almost $250 million, and more expansion will occur in the upcoming years.

Both the scale of the profits and the high level of interest local audiences have in Saudi and foreign films are reflected in this success. Thanks to the efforts and collaboration of pertinent authorities, Saudi Arabia is predicted to become a global centre for film production by the end of 2025, with domestic production earnings reaching an estimated $1.3 billion.

Saudi cinema is getting a lot of support from the Ministry of Culture and the Film Commission. In addition, initiatives by groups like AlUla and NEOM films provide first-rate facilities and attract the best talent from both domestic and foreign markets. The recently opened Al-Hisn Studios marks a significant change in Saudi Arabia and the international filmmaking landscape.

Another essential component of the rapidly growing film industry is local talent. Through the implementation of training and development programmes, the Film Commission plays a crucial role in enhancing the skills of Saudi artists and allowing them to take part in international films.

Film societies and clubs, including the Eastern Province’s Cinema Association and Jeddah’s Alwan Cinema Club, have been formed to link filmmakers and producers with the Saudi public interested in film and its production. For any gifted person looking to get into the film industry, these groups are a good place to start.

Read more: Shahad Ameen’s ‘Hijra’: Bringing Saudi Film to International Awareness

Bringing in Foreign Directors & Producers

The Film Commission uses many tried-and-true strategies to get both domestic and foreign filmmakers to shoot their projects in the Kingdom. The Commission has implemented competitive assistance initiatives, such as the Cash Back Programme, to draw in foreign filmmakers. The Cannes Film Festival introduced one of the most well-known Saudi initiatives to advance the international competitiveness of filmmaking.

AlUla and NEOM are essential in drawing in foreign film productions, which enhances the Commission’s efforts. Well-known Hollywood productions have been produced in the Kingdom, including “Kandahar,” which was shot in Jeddah and AlUla and was a huge worldwide hit.

The newest technology and state-of-the-art facilities for top-notch film production are available at NEOM, in addition to its breathtaking natural scenery. It has backed over 30 film and television projects since it opened, including Rajkumar Hirani’s “Desert Warrior” and “Dunky,” which starred Shah Rukh Khan, as well as the reality TV programme “Million Dollar Island.”

Al Hisn Studios, one of the largest and most sophisticated film and television production firms in the Middle East, will play a significant role. Its infrastructure comprises seven studio-style buildings totalling 10,500 square metres and a total of 300,000 square metres and is open in November 2024. Other amenities include opulent VIP suites, film production offices, and fully furnished editing rooms, in addition to a production village with workshops for woodworking, blacksmithing, and costumes.

By combining the requirements for film and television production in one place, this streamlines and expedites production procedures, saving money, time, and effort while bolstering the local production industry with top-notch standards.

Read more: The Saudi Filmmaker Haifaa Al-Mansour

International Presence

By taking part in international film festivals, Saudi cinema has attempted to make a name for itself on a worldwide scale. The Saudi Film Commission inaugurated the country’s pavilion at the Cannes International Film Festival, demonstrating its presence.

This pavilion contributed to the exhibition of the Kingdom’s film industry’s notable growth. Attendance at other festivals, including those in Toronto, Venice, and Berlin, has also been noteworthy. In addition to showcasing Saudi and Arab talent, the Red Sea International Film Festival has taken a significant stride forward on the international film festival scene by welcoming filmmakers worldwide.

Here, the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture (Ithra) is crucial in helping to nurture talent and steer it in the proper direction. The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 has set forth the objectives and priorities of every branch of government, and we think the film industry’s objective—to make Saudi Arabia a major global hub for film production—is quite similar.

It has all the necessary components to proceed on this path, and Saudi Arabia can rely on this industry to provide substantial profits that will fill the state coffers with millions of dollars.

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