The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) has unveiled an exciting addition to its International Spectacular programme: “Lumière: Le Cinema” by Thierry Frémaux, Director of the Lumière Institute in Lyon and General Delegate of the Festival de Cannes. This stunning sequel to “Lumière! The Adventure Begins,” which premiered at the festival’s inaugural edition, delves into the birth of cinema, offering a treasure trove of over 100 newly restored films. A must-see for cinema lovers, “Lumière: Le Cinema” will be presented in-person by Frémaux himself, offering audiences an unparalleled journey through the early days of celluloid.

Joining the stellar International Spectacular line-up are six highly anticipated titles, including “Napoli-New York,” a poignant new work from Academy Award-winning director Gabriele Salvatores, starring Pierfrancesco Favino. Based on a story idea by Federico Fellini, the film tells the story of two children who stow away on a boat bound for New York after World War II. Also featured is “40 Acres” by R.T. Thorne, starring Danielle Deadwyler as a determined mother protecting her family from the ravages of climate change. “Maria” by Pablo Larraín, “We Live in Time” by John Crowley, and “Kraven the Hunter” by J.C. Chandor round out the International Spectacular section, each offering a unique cinematic experience.

Shivani Pandya Malhotra, RSIFF’s Managing Director, said: “We are honoured to host “Lumière: Le Cinema” at the RSIFF. This film is a vital testament to the foundation of all modern audiovisual content, showcasing the early pioneers who revolutionized visual storytelling. Thierry Frémaux’s insights into cinema history are always invaluable, and we are thrilled to share this with our audiences.”

In addition to the International Spectacular programme, RSIFF has added six new Festival Favourites, including the world premiere of Max Shiskin’s post-apocalyptic action film “The Last Ronin.” Set in a desolate future ravaged by nuclear war, the film follows a lone warrior escorting a wayward teenage girl across a dangerous wasteland. “The Last Ronin” promises a gripping journey through a devastated world, where survival is the ultimate goal.

The Festival Favourites programme celebrates cultural diversity, offering a platform for award-winning films from all corners of the globe. The selection highlights innovative storytelling, breathtaking cinematography, and diverse perspectives. Among the new titles are two black comedies: “Dreaming of Lions” by Paolo Marinou Blanco, a darkly comic tale of a terminally ill woman’s attempts to end her suffering, and “Taste the Revolution” by Daniel Klein, a mockumentary featuring an unforgettable performance by Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali as a revolutionary leader challenging capitalism.

Two exceptional films from Asia join the line-up: “Crocodile Tears” by Indonesian director Tumpal Tampubolon, which explores a young man’s strained relationship with his controlling mother, and “Somebody” by South Korean directors Yeo-Jung Kim and Jeong-Chan Lee, a psychological thriller about a swimming instructor whose child’s violent tendencies take a dark turn.

The festival also celebrates African cinema with the return of Jean Luc-Herbulot, whose new film “Zero” is a high-octane action thriller set in Dakar, Senegal. The film follows two Americans who wake up to find bombs strapped to their chests and only ten hours to unravel the mystery of their predicament.

International Spectacular:

“Lumière: Le Cinema”

Thierry Frémaux (France)

The sequel to “Lumière! The Adventure Begins” sees Thierry Frémaux introduce another hundred Lumière films, all immaculately restored, recounting the early history of cinema.

Festival Favourites:

“Crocodile Tears”

Tumpal Tampubolon (Indonesia)

On a Crocodile Farm in West Java, Indonesia, a young boy reaches puberty, and his problems with his mother start. Johan, a young man tethered to his mother, Mama, by invisible but unbreakable chains, dreams of freedom yet remains under her suffocating grip. Isolated from the world, their life on the farm is a tense routine of survival and emotional manipulation, disrupted only when a young woman’s arrival threatens the delicate balance.

“Dreaming of Lions”

Paulo Marinou-Bianco (Portugal, Spain, Brazil)

This absurdist tragicomedy from Greek-Portuguese director Paulo Marinou-Blanco introduces us to Gilda, a terminally ill woman whose dying wish is for her painful existence to stop as quickly and peacefully as possible. When her attempts at ending her life fail, she seeks professional help and discovers the Joy Transition International. However, when she finds out that the organisation is not what it seems, she and her new beau decide to take matters into their own hands with heartwarming results.

“Somebody”

Yeo-Jung Kim, Jeong-Chan Lee (South Korea)

This exceptional psychological thriller from South Korea poses dark questions about the complex relationship between mothers and daughters. Swimming instructor Young-eun (Kwak Sun-young) is disturbed and embarrassed by the increasingly violent behaviour of her six-year-old daughter So-hyun. When Young-eun realises that she cannot change her daughter’s disposition she decides to take matters into her own hands

“Taste the Revolution”

Daniel Klein (USA)

For nearly 25 years one of Oscar winner’s Mahershala Ali’s earliest, craziest and most brilliant performances has been hiding in a vault. Director Daniel Klein shot a film in the year 2000 about a group of revolutionaries putting on a world summit to counter political apathy and encourage America to stand up to capitalism but then world events got in the way and the film vanished. Now, after a call from Ali, who plays a revolutionary leader, the director has gone back over the footage and reimagined the film as a mockumentary

“The Last Ronin”

Maksim Shishkin (Russia)

Haunted by the ghosts of the past, lone traveller Ronin wanders the post-apocalyptic wastelands in search of his father’s killer. The devastation caused by climate change led to a global nuclear war, destroying civilisation as we know it: lands are scorched and cities destroyed. Electrical equipment no longer works and gasoline has long lost the properties that made it the world’s greatest resource. The main currency in this new world is AK47 cartridges.

“Zero”

Jean Luc Herbulot (Senegal, USA)

In the bustling heart of Dakar, Senegal, two white Americans wake to a nightmare: bombs strapped to their chests, and they only have ten hours before they explode. With no idea who’s behind it, their only hope for survival is to listen to the instructions of a mysterious voice on the phone, forcing them to complete a series of bizarre and perilous tasks across the city. As they race against time in this twisted scavenger hunt, the vibrant streets of Dakar become a high-stakes labyrinth of survival.

The Festival is supported by Principal Sponsors: Visit Saudi, MBC, and Genesis Mohamad Yusuf AlNaghi; Official Sponsors: Film AlUla, SRMG, Chopard, SAUDIA, and TikTok; Strategic Sponsors of the Red Sea Souk: NEOM and Cultural Development Fund; and Support Sponsors Nova, Mermaid and Telfaz.

About the Red Sea International Film Festival
Red Sea International Film Festival provides a platform for Arab filmmakers and industry professionals from around the world to connect, host feature and short film competitions, and present a series of events, masterclasses, and workshops to support emerging talent. Running alongside the Festival is the Red Sea Souk, the Festival’s industry market, designed for global exchange and partnerships between the international and Saudi film industries. The four-day market will offer a packed Programme of curated events to foster co-production, international distribution, and new business opportunities. The Souk offers unbeatable access to the new vibrant Saudi scene, as well as the best of the Arab market, through pitching sessions, one-on-one meetings, screenings, industry talks, and networking events.