Juliette Binoche Celebrates Arab Filmmaking at Red Sea Film Festival

At the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, French actress Juliette Binoche honored Arab filmmakers Cherien Dabis and Shahad Ameen during a panel discussion organized by Kering’s Women in Motion initiative. Binoche, who was both an honoree and a presenter of her directorial debut “In-I in Motion,” emphasized the importance of Arab stories in the Western narrative. She praised Ameen's courage in pursuing filmmaking amid Saudi Arabia's evolving film industry, stating, “When a young woman from your country watches a film and wants to direct, it’s amazing.”

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The panel featured discussions on the directors' recent works, with Dabis reflecting on the transformation of Arab filmmaking post-9/11. She noted that the Arab world recognized the need to invest in its narratives to counter negative portrayals. Dabis highlighted the support for Arab stories in Europe compared to the U.S., citing initiatives like the Doha Film Institute and the Red Sea Film Festival as pivotal in promoting Arab cinema. Ameen, inspired by Dabis’ work, expressed her excitement about the current filmmaking landscape in Saudi Arabia, stating, “You can do whatever you want. There’s a place for every voice.”

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During the festival's opening night, Binoche received an award for her contributions to cinema and was celebrated by jury head Sean Baker, who shared his admiration for her work. Binoche revealed her desire to collaborate with Baker, who plans to shift his filmmaking style towards action movies. As jury head for the Cannes Film Festival, Binoche played a significant role in selecting films, including those screening at the Red Sea Festival. She expressed pride in the jury's choices, stating, “We had a good year!”

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Binoche also addressed the recent sentencing of Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who was unable to attend the Cannes Film Festival in 2010 due to imprisonment. She recalled how his absence was symbolically represented by an empty chair, and she used her acceptance speech to advocate for his release. Reflecting on the significance of Panahi's recent win at Cannes, Binoche remarked, “So giving him the prize 15 years after was so meaningful.”

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Dabis criticized the tendency of some Saudi filmmakers to emulate American cinema, urging them to embrace their unique voices. Ameen echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in storytelling. Both filmmakers expressed optimism about the future of Arab cinema, with Ameen stating, “Having the opportunity to tell our stories is an incredible privilege.”

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• “in the Western world, we need to hear stories like yours.” — Juliette Binoche

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• “I’ve gotten to watch the Arab world blossom in this way,” — Cherien Dabis

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• “Saudi Arabia is the most exciting place on the planet to make films right now,” — Shahad Ameen

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• “I think it’s wonderful. Go for it, baby! We’re waiting!” — Juliette Binoche

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The Red Sea Film Festival serves as a vital platform for showcasing Arab cinema and fostering collaboration among filmmakers, highlighting the region's rich storytelling potential.

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