Vin Diesel accompanies Michael Caine on the Red Sea Film Festival red carpet, while Sean Baker draws parallels between Saudi Arabia and the early days of Hollywood.

The fifth Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia opened on Thursday with a glamorous red carpet, showcasing the Middle East premiere of Rowan Athales Giant, produced by Sylvester Stallone. The film stars Egyptian-British actor Amir El Masry as legendary British-Yemeni featherweight boxer Naseem Hamed, with Pierce Brosnan portraying his trainer.

Attendees on the red carpet included Dakota Johnson, Uma Thurman, Ana de Armas, jury president Sean Baker, and jury members Riz Ahmed, Naomie Harris, Nadine Labaki, and Olga Kurylenko. Queen Latifah and Nina Dobrev were also present, engaging in detailed conversations earlier in the festival.

The standout moment occurred when Vin Diesel, recipient of the festivals Special Recognition Award in 2024, wheeled Michael Caine onto the red carpet, where they shared a warm photo opportunity. Diesel and Caine had previously collaborated on 2015s The Last Witch Hunter, and Diesel presented Caine with his honorary prize during the opening ceremony.

Diesel humorously remarked to the audience, Youre making us all want to make independent movies, and repeated his 2024 line: You see more people from Hollywood here than at the Oscars. He added, Tonight is particularly special because I get to honor someone widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time.

Caine, joined on stage by three of his grandchildren, responded with his characteristic wit, reflecting on his career and expressing gratitude: Ive had a fabulous family and a remarkable movie family. I kept going until I was 90, and tonight is one of the luckiest moments for me.

Other festival honorees this year include Sigourney Weaver, Juliette Binoche, Rachid Bouchareb, and Stanley Tong. The festival will continue in Jeddah with appearances from Jessica Alba, Adrien Brody, Darren Aronofsky, and director Kaouther Ben Hania.

Sean Baker, speaking at the opening ceremony, praised Saudi Arabias film growth, likening it to the early days of Hollywood. He highlighted the rapid expansion of cinemas and the opportunities this creates for filmmakers, calling it both inspiring and heartening.

Jomana R. Alrashid, chairwoman of the Red Sea Film Foundation, emphasized the festivals impact over the past five years, noting that projects supported by the Red Sea Fund have gone on to represent their countries at the Oscars. She urged creators to seize new opportunities provided by evolving technologies and streaming platforms.

On the awards front, Jessica Alba presented Stanley Tong with recognition for his work as a stunt coordinator, praising his contributions to action cinema alongside Jackie Chan. Tong expressed gratitude to those who trusted him throughout his career and shared plans for a future Saudi-Chinese co-production.

Juliette Binoche delivered an emotional speech, expressing how international film festivals expand creative horizons and open hearts, describing the experience as very special.

The Red Sea Film Festival continues in Jeddah from December 4 to 13, celebrating filmmakers from across the globe and spotlighting Saudi Arabias growing cinema landscape.

Author: Ethan Caldwell