The Red Sea Film Fest Roundtable in Saudi Arabia With Spike Lee: “We Are Witnessing a Big Change”

Story by Georg Szalai

Image from The Hollywood Reporter

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Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Film Fest sparks global filmmakers to discuss cinematic voice, creative influences, and the impact of AI on the industry.

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Spike Lee praises the festival for showcasing diverse global talent, not just Hollywood, and has attended three times - including filming parts of Malcolm X in Makkah during the hajj.
Filmmakers like Hala Elkoussy and R.T. Thorne see the festival as a chance to share their unique cultural perspectives and challenge stereotypes, with music and movement playing a key role in their cinematic voices.

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Spike Lee, Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yeoh, Jeremy Renner, Michael Douglas, Benedict Cumberbatch, Meshal Al Jaser, Hala Elkoussy, Sarah Friedland, Kathleen Chalfant, Lawrence Valin, R.T. Thorne, Danielle Deadwyler, Red Sea Film Festival, Netflix, Cannes Directors' Fortnight, Venice Film Festival, Venice Critics' Week, Toronto International Film Festival, Wicked, Naga, East of Noon, Familiar Touch, Little Jaffna, 40 Acres, Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X

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