Bahrain Mirror: Saudi Festival Director Ahmed Al-Mulla stated that 98% of moviegoers in Bahrain are Saudis.

Al-Mulla said "When I visit cinema halls in Bahrain, I know from the owner and some of my friends that Saudis represent the majority of the moviegoers in Bahrain."

Ahmed Al-Khatib, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), issued controversial statements yesterday in which he said that "Saudi Arabia will one day open cinemas and build a world-class opera house, downplaying opposition by powerful religious authorities to changes they see as sinful."

The kingdom had some cinemas in the 1970s but the clerical establishment persuaded the authorities to close them. Cinemas are still banned, while concerts have started to be held this year.

Al-Mulla said "the reason behind the cinema is not economic; it's deeper as the absence of art transforms humans into beasts."

In a Reuters interview, Ahmed Al-Khatib, said "Cinemas, a particular flashpoint, were not on the agenda in the short term, but would come Saudi Arabia eventually, he said. "We will get there. We'll get there. I know how. I don´t know when."

"We are not ready for cinemas. However, people have choices at homes like Netflix that airs everything without an interference or modification," he announced.

He went on to say "Conservatives who criticized the reforms were gradually learning that most Saudis, a majority of whom are under 30, wanted these changes," adding "he majority of Saudis are moderate. They travel, they go to cinemas."

Al-Khatib explained that his goal was to create entertainment that "will be like 99 percent of what is going on in London and New York," although he noted that after decades of cultural conservatism such change could not be rapid.

"I believe we are winning the argument," he said. A few Saudis were liberal, a few conservative, but "the majority are moderate."

"They travel, they go to cinemas, they go to concerts. I am counting on the middle segment, which is about 80 pct of the population," he said.

The changes are also intended to capture up to a quarter of the $20 billion currently spent overseas by Saudis, who are accustomed to travelling abroad to see shows and visit amusement parks in nearby tourist hub Dubai or further afield.

Khatib said the kingdom's entertainment plans are motivated by economics, the GEA´s activities have created 20,000 jobs so far after only seven months. The kingdom's most ambitious leisure project to date is a giant entertainment city being planned for outside the capital Riyadh, which would aim to draw regional visitors with resorts, golf courses, car racing tracks and a Six Flags theme park.

"Our start is very encouraging. Every event is sold out," he said, noting that 10,000 more people than could be accommodated showed up for Comic-Con, a comic book convention held in Jeddah in February.

Arabic Version