The Documentary Podcast

Assignment: Reel revolution? The dramatic rise of Saudiwood


Listen Later

Saudi Arabia is rolling out the red carpet to filmmakers and foreign companies as it sets out to establish itself as a major player in the entertainment industry. After lifting a 35-year ban on cinemas in 2018, the Kingdom is now luring Hollywood with cash incentives to shoot in the desert, and playing host to a glitzy international film festival. The move is all part of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's ‘Vision 2030’ - a grand blueprint to rewrite the Kingdom's script, diversify its economy away from oil, and expand its cultural influence though films, gaming and sport, all at the same time seeking to keep an overwhelming young population happy. It is a dramatic transformation with writers, directors and actors now prepared to test boundaries and break taboos on screen. But as Emily Wither finds out Saudi Arabia is still a country where not every story can be told.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Documentary PodcastBy BBC World Service

  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3

4.3

1,602 ratings


More shows like The Documentary Podcast

View all
Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,722 Listeners

From Our Own Correspondent by BBC Radio 4

From Our Own Correspondent

365 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,040 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,463 Listeners

Witness History by BBC World Service

Witness History

951 Listeners

In Our Time: History by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time: History

1,873 Listeners

In Our Time: Culture by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time: Culture

604 Listeners

In Our Time: Science by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time: Science

726 Listeners

The History Hour by BBC World Service

The History Hour

586 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,818 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,065 Listeners

The Interview by BBC World Service

The Interview

368 Listeners

Lives Less Ordinary by BBC World Service

Lives Less Ordinary

591 Listeners

Discovery by BBC World Service

Discovery

962 Listeners

BBC Inside Science by BBC Radio 4

BBC Inside Science

435 Listeners

Science Weekly by The Guardian

Science Weekly

419 Listeners

The Inquiry by BBC World Service

The Inquiry

734 Listeners

The Audio Long Read by The Guardian

The Audio Long Read

838 Listeners

Today in Focus by The Guardian

Today in Focus

992 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,186 Listeners

Cyber Hack by BBC World Service

Cyber Hack

1,628 Listeners

The Global Story by BBC World Service

The Global Story

288 Listeners

The Explanation by BBC World Service

The Explanation

26 Listeners