So apparently Saudi Arabia doesn’t like cinemas, according to the 35-year cinema ban they have just lifted. But, with the first movie being screened, which do you think would have been best? Titanic? Good Will Hunting? The Shawshank Redemption? Oh no, they went somewhere completely different… Yes, they screened The Emoji Movie.
Now I know what you are thinking, The Emoji Movie? Really? Well, there is actually some logic behind this, which does make sense surprisingly. A guy called Mamdouh Salim organized the screening, which happened in Jeddah’s cultural hall last week, and he had this to say about the whole affair:
“Until now, there is no infrastructure for movie theaters, so we are trying to take advantage of (alternative) venues to approximate the cinematic form. We tried to use these films to be a starting point as the first cinematic screening after the decision on Dec. 11 to permit movie theaters..”
But why The Emoji Movie? Well, apparently it was the ‘safe choice’. Many of the classics, it is believed, could cause offense to traditional Islamists. Some believe many of today’s movies would promote things like shame, and vulgar activity and there is also concern about the two genders being in the same room late at night. I don’t know, this all seems a bit OTT to me but, hey, they banned cinemas altogether for 35 years so it looks like they are professionals at being OTT! To be honest, it’s just good to see something screened in a cinema there at all!
If you haven’t seen The Emoji Movie, here is the trailer in all it’s glory (SPOILER ALERT – you’re not missing much):
