'Giant' Director Rowan Athale Excited to Open Red Sea Film Festival Among Star-Studded Lineup

The fifth edition of the Red Sea Film Festival launched Thursday evening in Jeddah, featuring the regional premiere of Giant, a film chronicling the rise of 90s British boxing sensation Prince Naseem Hamed. The screening marked a highly anticipated opening for the festival.

For director Rowan Athale, the event was thrilling yet surreal due to the extraordinary assembly of celebrities in attendance. Ive attended numerous festivals, but last night was something completely differentit felt like the Oscars, Athale said at the Variety Lounge hosted by the Red Sea Film Festival. The most surreal moment was looking at the speakers: Juliette Binoche, Jessica Alba, Michael Caine, Vin Diesel, Sean Baker and me.

Amir El-Masry, who portrays Hamed in the film, described the evening as truly surreal and emphasized his admiration for the legendary actors and filmmakers present. There are very few places where you can see names like Aishwarya Rai and Kirsten Dunst in one roomand here it happens effortlessly, he noted.

Also attending was Prince Naseem Hamed himself. Both Athale and El-Masry expressed how meaningful it was to have the boxing icon witness the film. Although Giant debuted at the BFI London Film Festival in October, the Red Sea screening was Hameds first public viewing, and he attended with his entire family.

El-Masry recalled the unforgettable moment when Hamed celebrated the films portrayal of his life. Having him there validated everything. He even placed his WBC belt over me at the end, showing what a real champion feels like. It was incredible, he said.

The festivals opening night set a remarkable tone for its fifth edition, blending cinematic storytelling with a gathering of international stars and icons of sport and film.

Author: Maya Henderson