MBC Group is strategic partner for Red Sea International Film Festival

7 December 2021

MBC Group is strategic partner for Red Sea International Film Festival

The Red Sea International Film Festival announces MBC GROUP – the largest and leading media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) – as festival partner. This partnership is considered highly valuable to the Red Sea International Film Festival – which celebrates its inaugural edition this December – given the unprecedented scale of this cinematic event in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Arab world.

Part of the partnership with MBC GROUP will involve elevating and publicising the accomplishments of the Red Sea International Film Festival, taking place in Jeddah. This includes broadcasting the festival’s activities, as well as assisting the festival in inviting local talent to participate in MBC’s special “Talent Days” workshop.

The strategic partnership also extends to films, with several MBC STUDIOS productions debuting or being showcased at the festival. They include two titles being presented in the “New Saudi Cinema” category: “Kayan” by Hakim Jomah, “Route Ten” by Omar Naim, as well as “Rupture” by Hamzah Jamjoom competing in the Red Sea Competition.

Furthermore, “Becoming”, a film produced by the Red Sea International Film Festival, which will premiere at the event on 8 December 2021, will be available to stream on Shahid VIP – MBC GROUP’s leading SVOD streaming platform – in the MENA region immediately after the festival. The premiere of “Becoming” coincides with an important festival event dedicated to celebrating women’s empowerment.

In terms of mentorship and training, the Red Sea International Film Festival’s “Talent Days” programme, taking place 12-12 December in partnership with MBC GROUP, is designed for emerging and amateur filmmakers, scriptwriters, and producers in the region. Featuring workshops, keynote speeches, and panel discussions on a wide range of topics relating to the film industry, the programme offers the opportunity for up-and-coming talent to learn from leading local, regional, and international experts, as well as set new benchmarks for the film industry in KSA.

During the programme, Shahid will be awarding a cash prize of $100,000 to a Saudi project in development or in production, which will result in the winning title being exhibited across the MENA region.

Jana Yamani, Executive Director of MBC Academy, MBC Talent and MBC Al Amal stated: “MBC GROUP and the Red Sea International Film Festival share a unified vision for the region’s youth in media and film production. This generation of young talent consists of ambitious changemakers who seek, not only to create change and make an impact, but redefine the region’s media and entertainment content landscape.”

She continued: “We believe that our partnership with the festival creates a synergy that ultimately develops and showcases the level of talent and creativity our Saudi youth possesses. Being the first Saudi cinematic celebration of its kind, the Red Sea International Film Festival provides a unique platform for young talent to make their mark on the Arab World and beyond. It is our mission to ensure that their capabilities are shown across the world.”

Shivani Pandiya Malhotra, Managing Director at the Red Sea International Film Festival, commented on this momentous partnership: “It is our honour to collaborate with the media giant, MBC GROUP as our festival partner. As the pioneering media company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region, MBC’s expertise and perceptions are extremely valuable to us, our talents, and our guests.

“Our purpose at the Red Sea International Film Festival is to empower the youth and provide Saudi talent with a platform and creative outlet for storytelling. With MBC’s contribution to the festival, our efforts are amplified – the festival aims to promote cross-cultural exchange and foster the growth of the Arab film industry. Alongside our partner MBC, with its wide reach across the region, the festival is set to position the Kingdom as a contributor to the international film industry, whilst creating and delivering a world-class event for the people of the nation.”

[Source: MBC press office]

New DW-led research provides insights into the control of Covid-19 in European prisons

6 December 2021

New DW-led research provides insights into the control of Covid-19 in European prisons

DW’s latest research released today December 6, “COVID: How Europe’s prisons have fared in the pandemic”, produced in collaboration with 11 newsrooms* in the European Data Journalism Network (EDJNet), gives a comprehensive overview of the ongoing management of Covid-19 in European prisons and the actions required to protect the health and human rights of prisoners and control the spread of the infection.

By gathering data on COVID cases, deaths, and vaccinations in prisons in 32 countries, the research reveals that the number of Covid-19 cases in prisons tends to follow those in the outside world. However, prisons’ responses to control the spread of the virus came at a price: prison visits were discontinued, communal activities suspended, and solitary confinement increased. In particular, the pandemic has exacerbated already existing structural problems, such as overcrowding. In addition, the data indicate that vaccine access in prisons was delayed.

These findings support the need to stop overcrowding, expand the availability of vaccinations to inmates and provide necessary access to in-person visits. It also highlights the need to find alternatives to imprisonment as a critical step towards reducing the use of incarceration.

DW has been a member of the European Data Journalism Network since 2019. Coordinated by Deutsche Welle, the project was led by Kira Schacht and started in June 2021. Together with DW, the 11 partner today newsrooms published their own stories in more than 15 languages and shared DW’s findings.

Kira Schacht, research project lead and Data journalist at DW: “People in prisons are especially vulnerable to COVID-19, and outbreaks in prisons can endanger the world outside as well. But there’s virtually no public information, and very little reporting, on how prisons have fared during the pandemic. This international collaboration is a unique chance to shine a light at this often-ignored topic. Because, as one expert we spoke to said: “If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that if we leave one group behind, we make things worse for all of us”.

As regards the project scope, Schacht said: “Since there is no easily accessible data for all European countries, we combined the reporting and language skills of 11 newsrooms throughout Europe. Through a mix of international reports and information requests to local authorities, we built our own database of COVID-19 cases, deaths, vaccinations and measures in prisons. Together with the finished stories, we’ve also published this database, as well as a detailed report of our analysis methodology.”

Adriano Martufi, who researches prison conditions in Europe at Leiden University, said: “There is certainly a problem of underreporting. Health services in prisons are understaffed, underequipped. I’m not even sure whether they have the technical capability to collect and handle such data.”

[Source: DW press release]

NHK WORLD programme highlights December

1 December 2021

NHK WORLD programme highlights December

Designer Nakazato Yuima first took part in the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week in 2016. The event is widely regarded as the pinnacle of fashion art. By now, he’s become accustomed to big runways, but the pressure is always on to produce something that goes beyond what he’s already done. Nakazato’s also committed himself to creating collections that are ecologically sustainable. Follow along as he makes his way through a hectic half-year, leading up to the next show.

From a boyhood in Mongolia, Hakuho rose to Yokozuna, the highest rank in the competitive world of Japanese sumo. He held that position for a record-breaking 14 years. But he struggled with the thought that he would never earn the love of the Japanese people. With the help of his trainer and his devoted family, he overcame physical pain and public disapproval to make his mark on the sumo ring and take his place in history. We follow the remarkable career of a rikishi who came to define his era.

BOSAI: Science that Can Save Your Life

Saturdays Sundays

5:40 / 8:40 14:40 / 22:40

Japan has a long history of natural disasters. BOSAI explores how to overcome them and save lives with the power of science.

NHK Symphony Orchestra Family Concert

December 24 Fri.

11:10 / 18:10

NHK Symphony Orchestra Family Concert presents highlights from a family concert originally performed in the summer of 2020 by the NHK Symphony Orchestra conducted by blossoming international conductor Keitaro Harada. With an introductory segment by Maestro Harada and excerpts from well-known classical masterpieces played for speed and a competition for the instruments with the lowest pitch, NHK Symphony Orchestra Family Concert provides listening enjoyment for the whole family and delight even the classical music novice. It is available for free through NHK WORLD–JAPAN On Demand for three months after the broadcast.

[Source: NHK WORLD press release]

MBC Studios and US-based JB Pictures and AGC Studios team up for Rupert Wyatt’s epic motion picture ‘Desert Warrior’

16 November 2021

MBC Studios and US-based JB Pictures and AGC Studios team up for Rupert Wyatt’s epic motion picture ‘Desert Warrior’

MBC STUDIOS, the production arm of MBC GROUP – the largest and leading media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) – has partnered with the US-based JB Pictures and AGC Studios to produce Desert Warrior, an action-filled epic feature film set in 7^th century Arabia.

The international title – which has just commenced filming in NEOM and Tabuk in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) – features an all-star cast led by “Captain America” Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker, Avengers: Endgame, The Banker) and Aiysha Hart (Mogul Mowgli, Colette, We Are Lady Parts).

Joining them are Sharlto Copley (District 9), Ghassan Massoud (Kingdom of Heaven), Sami Bouajila (Hors-la-loi, Les Témoins, Indigènes), Lamis Ammar (Sand Storm, Sirens, A Tramway in Jerusalem), Géza Röhrig (Son of Saul, To Dust, Resistance), and Academy Award® winner Sir Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, Night at the Museum, Secret of the Tomb, Iron Man 3, Schindler’s List).

British director Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Mosquito Coast) helms the epic film from a screenplay, he co-penned with Erica Beeney (Captive State), David Self (The Road to Perdition), and Academy Award® nominee Gary Ross (Seabiscuit, The Hunger Games).

Desert Warrior is produced by Jeremy Bolt (Resident Evil franchise, Monster Hunter, Polar) of JB Pictures.

MBC STUDIOS’ biggest ever film production to date, Desert Warrior is also the first tentpole film to be shot at NEOM in KSA, marking a new milestone for MBC GROUP this year. The first international feature film to be shot at NEOM is supported by the NEOM Media Industries Sector, with major productions being a catalyst for the development of the regional media industries epicentre at NEOM.

Zeinab Abu Alsamh, General Manager of MBC STUDIOS KSA, commented: “MBC STUDIOS is proud to be working with such world class talent across the board on Desert Warrior; it is testament to our ambition towards producing premium content for global audiences.

“Desert Warrior is a tale of adventure, with a fierce female hero at the forefront of the story. We hope the story will connect with audiences of all ages worldwide. Rupert Wyatt is a visionary filmmaker, and Jeremy Bolt has already proven his mettle in steering this epic project into production.

She continued: “The cast is a dream come true… A mix of Arab and non-Arab talent coming together to create an unforgettable movie and highlighting the rich culture we have here. This is the beginning of having Saudi be a production hub for local and global films.”

For his part, JB Pictures’ Bolt stated: “Desert Warrior will give audiences a ringside seat to one of the most dramatic and consequential battles in history. Spectacular action and great bravery set against stunning mountainous desert landscapes.”

Wayne Borg, Managing Director, Media Industries at NEOM added: “Attracting a production of the scale of Desert Warrior as our first feature film highlights the confidence the film industry has in our ability to deliver a seamless production experience. Our fresh and diverse locations, world-class production team and attractive incentives make NEOM a very appealing destination for screen production.”

Anthony Mackie is represented by UTA and Inspire Entertainment. Aiysha Hart is represented by Curtis Brown and 42. Rupert Wyatt is represented by UTA.

SYNOPSIS

It’s the early 7^th century, and Arabia is made up of rival, feuding tribes, disunited and forever at each other’s throats. Emperor Kisra (Sir Kingsley) has a fearsome reputation for being utterly ruthless. But when the Arabian Princess Hind (Hart) refuses to become Kisra’s concubine, the stage is set for an epic confrontation. It is a battle that, by its conclusion, will have changed the region forever and echo throughout history.

Escaping with her father, King Numan (Massoud) into the vast and unforgiving desert, Hind is pursued by Kisra’s seasoned mercenary Jalabzeen and his bloodthirsty troops. Hind and her father are forced to entrust their safety to a mysterious bandit (Mackie), whose fighting prowess is second to none. The bandit harbours his own secrets, which will play a large part in deciding the fate of the battle.

Hind inspires the fractious tribes to come together for one last stand and unite against an army that outnumbers them and is far better equipped.

Filming for Desert Warrior commenced on 12 September 2021. It is expected to continue for three months.

AGC International, the international sales and distribution arm of AGC Studios, will handle worldwide sales.

[Source: MBC press release]

VOA names new South and Central Asia Division Director

13 November 2021

VOA names new South and Central Asia Division Director

The Voice of America has promoted its Afghanistan and Pakistan Bureau Chief, Ayesha Tanzeem, to South and Central Asia Division Director, bringing her back from Islamabad to the VOA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

An award winning journalist and a native of Pakistan, fluent in Urdu, Tanzeem is one of very few foreign correspondents that has traveled to areas under the control and influence of the Islamic State and the Taliban militant groups since early 2015 and was reporting from Afghanistan as recently as last month. She has traveled extensively throughout Afghanistan and Pakistan covering issues related to politics, governance, militancy, terrorism, and human rights, particularly women and minority rights. Her reporting that uncovered tales of harrowing cruelty and suffering of the Afghan people, earned her the David Burke award for Courage in Journalism in 2016.

“Ayesha Tanzeem exemplifies the courage and journalistic skill that is a hallmark of VOA’s overseas correspondents,” said Acting VOA Director, Yolanda Lόpez. “Her vast in-depth experience of the region, her leadership skills, as well as her deep knowledge of the audience needs, makes her uniquely positioned to guide the South and Central Asia Division in this critical time.”

Broadcasting in eight languages throughout Central and South Asia and the Middle East, Voice of America’s South and Central Asia division reaches an audience in the tens of millions on television, radio, internet and multiple social media platforms, offering reliable news and information in a volatile region that lacks reliable and independent local media.

[Source: VOA press release]