Filmmaker Raed Alsemari has presented his Oscar-qualified short film Dunya’s Day at more than 20 festivals in the U.S. alone, including Sundance. Shot near Alsemari’s hometown of Riyadh, the film’s inventive portrait of a dramatic day in the life of a contemporary Saudi woman has surprised and delighted audiences around the world.
Wherever they are from, every young director starting out in the movie business dreams of having a film selected to compete at the Sundance Film Festival. To not only be selected from more than 10,000 submissions but to go on to win an award is the stuff of fantasy.
That is precisely what has happened to 26-year-old Raed Alsemari. His stylish, satirical and socially probing short film Dunya’s Day, the very first production from Saudi Arabia to be shown at Sundance, picked up the prestigious Short Film Jury Award for International Fiction in 2019.
Shot just outside Riyadh with an all-female cast, the film tells the unforgettable story of how spoiled rich girl Dunya aspires to throw the perfect graduation party—until disaster strikes when she is abandoned by her domestic help.
As well as recognizing the talent of Alsemari, the actors and the production crew, the accolade from Sundance signals the emergence of a new force in world cinema
Long the sleeping giant of the Middle Eastern film industry, Saudi Arabia today is fast becoming a hotbed of artistic expression. A decades-old ban on cinemas has been lifted and new movie theaters are springing up all over the country. State bodies are now actively supporting promising directors, designers and content creators from all walks of life. And as longstanding social restrictions are relaxed and the pace of change accelerates, filmmakers like Alsemari are giving a voice to the values, aspirations and concerns of a whole new generation of Saudis.
What was the inspiration behind Dunya’s Day?
It began with the character. I wanted to capture a woman from a specific subset of Riyadh society, where veganism is trending and graduation parties are akin to the Met Gala.
At its core, Dunya’s Day is about one woman’s relentless pursuit of status. I was excited to write an Arab woman in a position of privilege—a protagonist who’s flawed but fierce. I think Dunya’s drive—how far she’ll go to protect her social standing—can be both horrifying and relatable.
“Here’s to more films from the Arab and Muslim worlds that are told by us.”
Raed Alsemari, on winning the Short Film Jury Award for International Fiction at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival
How did you find your extraordinary lead actress?
It wasn’t easy. Our casting director blasted social media with open calls. We auditioned many strong actors, but no one embodied Dunya in the way we envisioned. It was crucial to find a performer who wouldn’t trivialize Dunya or her need for social validation. After weeks of auditions, my producer and I had a sudden epiphany—our Dunya was in the room all along. We ended up casting our casting director, Sara Balghonaim. I’m thankful she agreed. The film wouldn’t work without her star-making performance.
What new projects are you currently working on?
I’m developing a feature film inspired by Dunya’s Day—a wedding film with the same character, world and tone. There’s immense potential in dramatizing a Riyadh wedding, and exploring the absurdities of being young, privileged and Saudi.
I’m also producing a short film by an NYU friend and collaborator, Farida Zahran. It’s a dark-comedy musical set in Cairo, Egypt, and I can’t wait to help make it.
What’s it like to be a film director in a country with a nascent film industry?
The lack of precedent is daunting, but also liberating. Coming to Riyadh for Dunya’s Day was special. There’s so much untapped potential here, whether it’s untold stories or eager talent. Most of our crew had barely—if ever—been on a film set, but it didn’t matter. Everyone was devoted to making this movie, and that energy was gratifying. I’m grateful that I felt supported enough to experiment and to be playful without fear of judgment.
How do you see the Saudi film industry developing in the future?
In reality, people here have been making and watching content for years. With movie theaters, we can now experience it together. I am optimistic about the future.
I hope we prioritize ourselves and our stories, rather than only jumping on board Hollywood productions. It’s exciting to see work from Saudi filmmakers, and to access opportunities that were unimaginable just a few years ago
As published in FORTUNE magazine
