WATCH: Director Wael Abumansour & Actress Nour Alkhadra Discuss Saify

Although deeply rooted in its Saudi context, Saify, the only Saudi feature film in competition at the Red Sea Film Festival, carries themes its director Wael Abumansour hopes will resonate universally. “For me, Saify is a character that exists in our lives, one we often come across in our families and communities,” Abumansour shared as part of SceneNowSaudi’s Rolling: Red Sea Saudi series.

Joining him was lead actress Nour Alkhadra, winner of last year’s Red Sea Film Festival award, who spoke about her emotions watching the film’s premiere and her excitement ahead of its cinematic release on December 26th.

Saify tells the story of Saify Muhammed, a 40-year-old con artist drowning in debt, including money owed to his ex-wife. Desperate for a way out, he plots a blackmail scheme after uncovering a compromising tape involving the influential Sheikh Asaad.