What’s On
January 2019
February 2019
Norah (KSA)
Starring: Yagoub Alfarhan, Maria Bahrawi, Abdullah Al-Sadhan. Written and Directed by Tawfik Alzaidi
Premiered at the Red Sea International Film Festival in December 2023, “Norah” is one of the latest productions in Saudi cinema and the first Saudi film to participate in the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where it received a special mention from the “Un Certain Regard” jury. It is also the first Saudi film to be shot entirely in the Al-Ula region.
Set in Saudi Arabia in the 90s, when artistic expression was banned, it is a powerful story about a new schoolteacher (Nader) and a young woman (Norah), in a small remote village. At great risk, they develop a tender friendship and inspire one another to keep their creativity alive despite the restrictions. Nader, originally an artist, enlightens Norah on the wider world outside of the village.
The Teachers’ Lounge (Germany)
Starring: Leonie Benesch, Leonard Stettnisch, and Eva Löbau. Co- written and Directed by İlker Çatak.
A 2023 German drama directed by İlker Çatak, co-written with Johannes Duncker. The story follows Carla Nowak, an idealistic and dedicated sports and math teacher, as she embarks on her first teaching job at a high school. When a series of thefts occur and one of her students is accused, Carla takes it upon herself to uncover the truth. As she delves deeper, she finds herself navigating conflicts between outraged parents, opinionated colleagues, and aggressive students.
The film offers a microcosm of society, addressing relevant and contemporary themes such as idealism, bias, communication, justice, racism, and the culture of debate. It was selected to compete for the Panorama Audience Award at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival and has been nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.
Breaking Barriers II: The National Leadership Conference 2024
Featuring renowned keynote speaker Steven Bartlett, bestselling author and host of the popular podcast “Diary of a CEO”, visiting Kuwait for the first time.
For the first time, the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre hosts in November the National Leadership Conference 2024, held by the National Leadership Institute (NLI). Under the Patronage of the Minister of Finance, this event, titled “Breaking Barriers II: Strong Mind, Strong Body, Strong Leader” will feature, for the first time in Kuwait, the renowned keynote speaker, bestselling author, and No. 1 podcast host of “Diary of a CEO” Steven Bartlett.
The event will also include interactive sessions from top international and local speakers, exhibitions and unparalleled networking opportunities. Speakers will include Faisal AlAgel (Bidoon Waraq), Dr Mariam AlAwadhi (Renowned Psychiatrist) and Dr Alaa AlHomaizi (Renowned Psychologist).
The conference will take place on November 5th from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the Drama Theatre, aiming to inspire and empower both current and future leaders by promoting holistic well-being for effective leadership. The National Leadership Conference 2024 is an annual event that brings together industry leaders, experts, and innovators to explore the crucial connections between mental resilience, physical health, and leadership, providing a unique platform for leadership development and personal growth.
Angham
The famous Egyptian superstar, dubbed “The Voice of Egypt,” will return to the National Theater for the second year in a row, performing her best songs in a beautiful musical evening.
Fans of the Egyptian superstar Angham are eagerly awaiting a special evening this November, as the beloved singer, known as “The Voice of Egypt,” graces the stage of the National Theatre. Angham, who earned this title for her warm voice, deep emotions, contemporary songs, and prolific releases, will present a selection of her finest hits.
Additionally, she will perform songs from her new album Tigi Nseeb, released at the end of last July, marking her return to album releases after a four-year hiatus, during which she only released singles.
LYD (Palestine)
Voice Over: Maisa Abd Elhadi. Directed by Sarah Ema Friedland and Rami Younis
A sci-fi documentary that explores the rise and fall of Lyd—a 5,000-year-old metropolis that was once a thriving Palestinian town before being conquered during the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. It tells the story of a city that once connected Palestine to the world—what it was, what it has become, and what it might have been. In the film, the city is personified as a young woman who narrates her history, emotions, and experiences. Actress Maisa Abd Elhadi lends her voice to the city, allowing the audience to hear from a place deeply scarred by displacement, violence, and war.
The film premiered at the Amman International Film Festival in August 2023, where it won the FIPRESCI Award for Best Arab Feature Documentary. It is directed by Rami Younis and Sarah Friedland, with Elias Suleiman as co-writer.
Kramer vs. Kramer (USA)
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Justin Henry and Jane Alexander. Written and Directed by Robert Benton.
Winner of five Academy Awards, this landmark drama features powerful performances from Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep as a couple whose separation spirals into a heated custody battle. Based on the novel of the same title about the story of a couple’s divorce, its emotional impact on their young son, and the subsequent evolution of their relationship and views on parenting. “Kramer vs. Kramer” delves into the psychology and consequences of divorce while addressing contemporary social issues such as gender roles, fathers’ rights, work-life balance, and single parenting.
The film was a major box office success, grossing over $173 million becoming the highest-grossing film of 1979. It received widespread critical acclaim for its direction, screenplay, and the performances of its cast. At the 52nd Academy Awards, the film garnered nine nominations and won five, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Dustin Hoffman and Best Supporting Actress for Meryl Streep.
The Wizard of Oz (USA)
Starring: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke and Margaret Hamilton. Directed by Victor Fleming and King Vidor.
An American classic, The Wizard of Oz (1939) is an adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s fantasy novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The film follows young Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto, who are whisked away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz. There, they embark on a journey with three newfound friends to meet the Wizard, who they believe can help Dorothy return home and grant the others their deepest wishes.
The Wizard of Oz is celebrated for its use of Technicolor, fantasy storytelling, musical score, and memorable characters. It was a critical success and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, winning Best Original Song for “Over the Rainbow” and Best Original Score. In 1989, the film was selected by the Library of Congress as one of the first 25 films for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being ‘culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.’ It is also one of the few films included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.
Flow (Latvia)
Written and Directed by Gints Zilbalodis.
A 2024 animated adventure fantasy film co-written and directed by Gints Zilbalodis. The story is set in a world on the brink of collapse, filled with remnants of human existence. At its heart is a solitary cat whose home is destroyed by a great flood. Seeking refuge, the cat joins a boat inhabited by various species. Despite their differences, they must work together to survive. As they navigate the mystical, flooded landscapes, they face the challenges and dangers of adapting to a new world.
The film premiered in the “Un Certain Regard” section of the 2024 Cannes Film. It also competed at the Annecy Film Festival, where it won four awards including Jury and Audience awards. Additionally, it was selected as Latvia’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.
Choralla
The Saudi choir group performing in Kuwait for the first time at the Amphitheatre this November.
The Amphitheatre’s concert series kicks off on November 28 with the Saudi choir group “Choralla,” performing in Kuwait for the first time. This group, which has gained popularity in recent years, is known for presenting both classic and contemporary songs, from Khaleeji songs and the works of renowned Arab singers.
Comprised of passionate young men and women who share a deep love for Arab and khaleeji classics, the choir is led by conductor Elie Farah. Together, they aim to revive the timeless beauty of traditional music. “Choralla” has garnered significant attention for their successful performances at Al Shallal Park in Jeddah, where they drew large audiences, and they have also participated in various events across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Songs of Bader Bouresli
An exceptional musical evening celebrating the journey of the distinguished Kuwaiti poet, featuring performances by singers Bader Nouri, Faisal Al Saad, and Fahad Al-Salem, accompanied by the musical ensemble under the direction of conductor Dr Khaled Noori.
The name of the renowned Kuwaiti poet Bader Bouresli has been associated with some of the most beautiful songs in the history of Kuwaiti music. Since his debut in the 1960s, his prolific career has spanned hundreds of works performed by legendary singers of Kuwait and the Gulf, including Abdul Karim Abdul Qader, Mohammed Abdou, Abdullah Al-Ruwaished, Nawal, Ghareed Al Shati’, and many more. His lyrics have been diverse, reflecting the sincere and impactful Kuwaiti voice in both romantic and patriotic songs, as well as his contributions to television and theatrical operettas.
In this exceptional evening, hosted by the National Theatre on Wednesday, December 4, we honour our esteemed poet in a musical night that he will attend in person. The event will feature a selection of his most beloved songs, performed by singers Bader Nouri, Faisal Al Saad, and Fahad Al-Salem, accompanied by the musical ensemble led by conductor Dr Khaled Noori. The evening will also include intriguing stories about these songs, shared by the esteemed poet himself for the first time, in a new creative vision.