, directed by Ali Kalthami, a Saudi producer, content writer, and co-founder of C3Films){kind=link}
The third edition of the Red Sea Film Festival (Red Sea IFF) commenced in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 30, 2023. Its expanding influence and popularity in the film community can be attributed, in part, to its dedication to exhibiting the finest Saudi Arabian and international films. Night Courier is the one created in Saudi Arabia and shown at the Red Sea IFF.
The satirical drama Night Courier (Mandoob), directed by Ali Kalthami, a Saudi producer, content writer, and co-founder of C3Films and Telfaz11, follows the journey of Fahad, a delivery man in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Observing Riadh at night, nearly in the pouring rain, while touring the city’s various neighborhoods, from downtown to the upper districts is a certain allure to the scene. As the film alludes, Fahad’s Car transports us to the core of an uncharted metropolis – one whose horizons are being radically broadened in the direction of a new world.
In addition to Riyadh, Night Courier depicts Fahad Algadaani’s life story, including his struggles to endure as a conventional Saudi man amidst economic, social, and cultural obstacles. As time runs out, delicate Fahad races to help his sick father. Amid economic hardship, as he has been fired, and societal apathy, Fahad’s circumstances undergo an unforeseen transformation when he is compelled to engage in menial labor as a deliveryman.
Having been born and nurtured in Riyadh, Mohamad AlDokhei who performs Fahad brilliantly, is a renowned Saudi actor who has made a significant impact on the entertainment industry. From an early age, his aptitude and ardor for acting flourished. Owing to his endearing persona and innate prowess in comedy, he rapidly rose to prominence as one of the most admired actors within the Saudi Arabian film sector.
The renowned actor from “Khamba” and “AlKhallat” demonstrates his prowess as a delivery man through his posture and gestures, which convey his wit in a difficult situation. His bewildered eyes face the modernity he witnesses as he delivers food to the rich neighborhood dwellers, and his resistance against his divorced sister’s (Hajar Alshammari) freedom is exemplified. His kindness and toughness as a man entering a transformative age have been masterfully depicted.
In the restaurant, Fahad’s contact with Maha (Sarah Taibah), the girl he tries to start a relationship with, is quite impressive. He is shocked and aggressive at the same time because Maha’s liberty in relationships with his male colleague and her friend’s behavior is outside the stereotypical norms he has known. However, his sense of accountability towards his father’s illness and the unlawful risk he undertakes to finance his treatment are commendable, and Mohamad AlDokhei effectively conveys these qualities to the audience through his dazzling performance. From Kalthami’s perspective, Fahad embodies numerous typical Saudi men whose egos frequently impede progress and offer insight into “the intricacies of our social order.”
Night Courier with its unique cinematography brings prowess and brands it visually stunning. The cinematic production employs a color scheme distinguished by shadows and darkness, thereby accurately mirroring the nocturnal surroundings and intensifying Fahad’s sense of danger and unpredictability. The camera tracks the car’s voyage, and its motion evokes a sense of dread of the unknown. And, the dark green hue represents motion and stillness both within and without the vehicle. Kalthami was also highly motivated to document the city and its brilliant illuminations while the nation was experiencing a brief period of rain.
Ali Kalthami demonstrates his directorial expertise through enthralling performances and breathtaking visual implementation, which compensate for the shortcomings of introducing intricate storylines. For Saudi Arabia, which is just entering into the film industry, Night Courier is a promising step that displays the magnificent future of the craft in this land.
Night Courier, which participated in the Toronto International Film Festival, Zurich Film Festival, and Torino Film Festival, is now competing with other films from different corners of the world in the Red Sea Film Festival.
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