"Evening Delivery Boy": A Saudi Mystery Reveals Unexplored Aspects of Riyadh's Progress
In the shadowy world of Saudi nightlife, a blend of high society and criminal underbelly, the movie "Night Courier" dives deep. The protagonist, Fahad (Mohamad Aldokhei), a hard-working but struggling delivery man, finds himself caught in the lucrative business of delivering alcohol to the city's elite - a venture strictly forbidden for Saudis and punishable by law.
Fahad's choices lead him down a dark path, eventually crossing paths with ruthless gangs that dominate this illicit market. Despite the ban, the sons of wealthy Saudi families lust after these luxurious intoxicants, with a single bottle of whisky reaching staggering prices of several hundred euros in this black market.
This clandestine business introduces Fahad to the opulent lifestyle of Riyadh's high rollers, revealing a stark contrast between their posh penthouses and Fahad's humble abode in the city's shabby outskirts. Kalthami's camera captures the vivid essence of a rapidly evolving city.
A city of contrasts
"Night Courier" takes aim at the social and economic realities of modern-day Saudi Arabia, an oil-rich nation where the benefits of fossil fuels seldom trickle down to the masses. In 2023, a staggering 13.6% of Saudis lived below the poverty line, according to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).
Filmmaker Ali Kalthami, who grew up in a poor district of Riyadh and describes the metropolis as "kind to nobody," draws from real-life experiences to weave this gritty tale of struggle and survival.
At 41, Kalthami stands among the faces of the "cultural openness" espoused by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a powerful figure driving the kingdom towards modernization. The audacious move to embrace cinema and the arts reflects the de facto ruler's ambitious vision to reform the country's image.
Released domestically in late 2023, "Night Courier" became a commercial sensation, topping the box office with over 600,000 sales. This unprecedented success for an indigenous film echoed a growing interest in local content across the country. Netflix later acquired the rights to distribute the movie in the region.
A fledgling film industry takes flight
Saudi Arabia's burgeoning film industry is still in its infancy, producing less than a handful of features annually. However, the young directors leading this movement have fresh perspectives and bold stories to tell.
Veteran cultural expert Maxime Bos, who spent seven years in Saudi Arabia and witnessed the industry's rise, shares this optimism. "The film industry is in the process of structuring itself," he says, pointing to the emergence of talented writers, cinematographers, music composers, and other crucial roles.
The Saudi culture ministry champion's these budding talents by funding training programs, co-productions, creative residencies, and promoting homegrown talent abroad. The Red Sea Film Festival — a powerful platform for Saudi film and a key instrument of the country's cultural soft power – further supports the industry's growth.
A platform for change
The rise of the Saudi film industry closely parallels the country's gradual liberalization. Filmmakers like Kalthami now tackle themes and societal issues that were once taboo.
"By green-lighting 'Night Courier,' Saudi authorities want to prove that Saudi cinema and artistic life truly exist, and that they allow things to be shown," says Karim Sader, a political analyst. "But it's not like the film is destroying the country's image. It portrays a lone individual's marginalization, addressing a social issue without undermining the government."
In a country where 60% of the population is under 30, the ruling class is banking on the support of tech-savvy youth who crave a say in shaping their own narratives. Crown Prince bin Salman hopes to quell potential dissent by offering these young, culturally astute citizens a "privilege" of sorts, including their own cinema and stories, to ward off the volatility that sparked the Arab Spring uprisings.
This article was loosely inspired by the original in French by Benjamin Dodman.
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[2] "Saudi Arabia's Film Industry." Forbes. [https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnmaulbray/2021/11/23/saudi-arabias-film-industry-is-booming/?sh=294a2a2c74b4]
[3] "Saudi Arabia Bouys Present and Future of Film and Entertainment." Gulf Business. [https://gulfbusiness.com/saudi-arabia-boosts-present-and-future-of-film-and-entertainment/]
[4] "Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030: A Plan to Transform the Country's Economy." World Economic Forum. [https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/04/saudi-arabias-vision-2030-a-plan-to-transform-the-country-s-economy/]
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- The film "Night Courier" provides a stark depiction of Saudi Arabia's contrasting social and economic landscapes, mirroring the realities of a growing number of Saudis living below the poverty line.
- Ali Kalthami, the filmmaker behind "Night Courier", draws from his personal experiences growing up in Riyadh's poor districts to portray a gritty tale of struggle and survival.
- In line with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's vision for modernization, Kalthami's work is seen as part of the cultural openness that has paved the way for embracing cinema and the arts in Saudi Arabia.
- The success of "Night Courier" not only echoed a growing interest in local content but also marked a significant step in the growth of Saudi Arabia's film industry, which, despite being in its infancy, is producing fresh perspectives and bold stories.
- The Saudi culture ministry supports this budding film industry by funding training programs, co-productions, creative residencies, and promoting homegrown talent abroad, including through platforms like the Red Sea Film Festival.
- The rise of the Saudi film industry is closely tied to the country's gradual liberalization, enabling filmmakers to tackle once-taboo themes and societal issues, such as marginalization and social inequality.
