Jowaher Alamri & Rajaae Alhajj on Saudi Film ‘The Last Dismissal’

In a poignant exploration of grief, coming of age, and girlhood in Saudi Arabia, The Last Dismissal—winner of the Cairo International Film Festival’s Special Jury Award—takes center stage. Directed by Saudi filmmaker Jowaher Alamri and starring newcomer Rajaae Al Hajj, the film tells the story of a teenager navigating the loss of her best friend while attending a middle-school lecture on shrouding the dead.

The Last Dismissal also earned Alamri the Best Director award at the Hollywood Short Fest and was featured in the 77th Cannes Film Festival’s Short Film Corner. As Alamri’s second short film and Alhajj’s acting debut, it reflects the rising talent in Saudi cinema. Alamri’s previous works include the Saudi anthology Becoming, showcased at the 43rd Cairo International Film Festival, and Sadeya Left Sultan, which won Best Short Film at the Saudi Film Festival.

In this exclusive #SceneNowSaudi interview, we spoke with Alamri and Alhajj about their actor-director dynamic, how they connected over the character’s emotions, and the transformative power of art in Saudi Arabia, proving it is much more than mere entertainment.