In a thrilling revelation, Deadline has obtained the first clip of “Hajjan,” a camel racing drama set in Saudi Arabia and directed by Egyptian filmmaker Abu Bakr Shawky. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, stands as one of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious local productions since the lifting of its 35-year cinema ban.
The story revolves around a young orphan and his beloved camel, entangled in the treacherous but exhilarating world of camel racing in their quest for justice against a crime.
Shot against the stunning backdrops of Jordan’s Wadi Rum and Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast in Tabuk, “Hajjan” provides viewers with an unprecedented cinematic portrait of the aristocratic camel racing universe and the realities of life in the desert.
This captivating feature marks Abu Bakr Shawky’s second directorial endeavor, following his highly acclaimed debut film, “Yomeddine,” set in Egypt. “Yomeddine” premiered in Competition at Cannes in 2018, earning Shawky critical acclaim and recognition.
For “Hajjan,” Shawky shares co-writing credits with Omar Shama and Farrej Al-Mugfel, bringing together a formidable creative team.
The cast includes Abdul Mohsen Al-Nimr, Omar Al-Atawi, Al-Shaimaa Tayeb, Azzam Al-Nimr, Tolin Barboud, and Ibrahim Al-Hassawi, who deliver captivating performances in this thrilling drama.
The film is produced in collaboration between Majed Zuhair Samman, Head of Performing Arts and Film at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdul Aziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), and Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzy, under the banner of his Cairo-based company Film Clinic. Additionally, co-producer Rula Nasser from Jordan’s The Imaginarium Films adds her expertise to the project.
Film Clinic Indie Distribution is entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the MENA release, while international sales are being handled by Film Constellation.
