Saudi anime ‘Future’s Folktales’ trailer highlights cultural fusion

Saudi anime ‘Future’s Folktales’ trailer highlights cultural fusion
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Manga Productions has announced the release of the official trailer for the second season of the popular Saudi anime series Future’s Folktales. (Supplied)
Saudi anime ‘Future’s Folktales’ trailer highlights cultural fusion
2 / 4
Manga Productions has announced the release of the official trailer for the second season of the popular Saudi anime series Future’s Folktales. (Supplied)
Saudi anime ‘Future’s Folktales’ trailer highlights cultural fusion
3 / 4
Manga Productions has announced the release of the official trailer for the second season of the popular Saudi anime series Future’s Folktales. (Supplied)
Saudi anime ‘Future’s Folktales’ trailer highlights cultural fusion
4 / 4
Manga Productions has announced the release of the official trailer for the second season of the popular Saudi anime series Future’s Folktales. (Supplied)
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Saudi anime ‘Future’s Folktales’ trailer highlights cultural fusion

Saudi anime ‘Future’s Folktales’ trailer highlights cultural fusion
  • Produced in collaboration with Japan’s Toei Animation studio, Asateer 2: Future’s Folktales will stream on Shahid and air simultaneously on MBC1
  • Trailer introduces Maha and her brothers, Rayan and Sultan, as they navigate daily challenges, finding solutions in the folk stories told by their grandmother Asma

RIYADH: Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Misk Foundation, has announced the release of the official trailer for the second season of the popular Saudi anime series “Future’s Folktales.”

Produced in collaboration with Japan’s Toei Animation studio, “Asateer 2: Future’s Folktales” will stream on Shahid and air simultaneously on MBC1 in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as TV Tokyo in Japan, starting Nov. 1.

It will also be available in North America, Europe and Latin America, with platforms to be announced later this year, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The trailer introduces Maha and her brothers, Rayan and Sultan, as they navigate daily challenges, finding solutions in the folk stories told by their grandmother Asma, which blend traditional tales with futuristic visions.

Fifteen Saudi artists and producers from Manga Productions contributed to character design and creative direction, showcasing a diverse array of traditional environments and costumes that reflect the rich cultures of the Arabian Peninsula.

Manga Productions CEO Essam Bukhary said: “The growing global interest in the distribution of Asateer2 Future’s Folktales across various international platforms is clear evidence of the success of our young talents in creating content that meets international standards and can compete on the global stage.”

He added: “At Manga Productions, we remain committed to producing innovative works that inspire the new generation and enhance Saudi Arabia’s position as a beacon of creativity, while ensuring we maintain the highest standards of quality and excellence in everything we do.”

Creative Director at Manga Productions Sara Oulddaddah said that during the production of Asateer 2, “We focused on enhancing our internal production capabilities and providing opportunities for Saudi talents who worked diligently with our partners across all stages of production.”

She added that “through Asateer2, we aim to continue sharing our inspiring Saudi culture, history and fantasy with the world, while contributing to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s creative content industry.”

The new season, which combines Saudi creativity with Japanese expertise, continues the remarkable success of the first season, which exceeded 100 million views worldwide, SPA reported.


Elyanna shares backstage footage after ‘SNL’ debut 

Elyanna shares backstage footage after ‘SNL’ debut 
Updated 07 October 2024
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Elyanna shares backstage footage after ‘SNL’ debut 

Elyanna shares backstage footage after ‘SNL’ debut 

DUBAI: Palestinian Chilean singer Elyanna made her “Saturday Night Live” debut over the weekend, teaming up with frequent collaborators Coldplay on stage to perform their new song, “We Pray.” The singer took to Instagram to celebrate the milestone after the show by re-posting footage of backstage rehearsals recorded minutes before she hit the stage. 

Elyanna and the British band were joined on stage by Argentine singer and actress Tini, also a featured artist on the track. Elyanna also released her own Arabic-language version of the song on Sept. 20.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Elyanna (@elyanna)

Coldplay also performed their new track “All My Love” from their new album “Moon Music,” which was released on Friday.

Elyanna is set to perform live with Coldplay again when the band heads to Abu Dhabi for four shows in the UAE capital in January 2025. The band will perform as part of the “Music of the Spheres World Tour” on Jan. 9, 11, 12 and 14 at Zayed Sports City Stadium.

The “SNL” performance comes just days after the 22-year-old also appeared at iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas to perform the same song.

In August, she took to the stage in Dublin to perform “We Pray” in Arabic. She performed alongside rapper Little Simz, Nigerian singer Burna Boy and Tini.

“I’m still in awe of last night! Sharing this moment with all these amazing artists on @coldplay’s stage felt so wholesome,” she wrote to her 1.7 million followers on Instagram. “I sang ‘We Pray’ in Arabic, I sang for hope and most importantly for my hometown Palestine.”


Tilda Swinton wears Maison Alaia as protesters interrupt film screening

Tilda Swinton wears Maison Alaia as protesters interrupt film screening
Updated 06 October 2024
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Tilda Swinton wears Maison Alaia as protesters interrupt film screening

Tilda Swinton wears Maison Alaia as protesters interrupt film screening

DUBAI: British actress Tilda Swinton wore an all-black ensemble from Maison Alaia on the red carpet at the New York Film Festival screening of her film “The Room Next Door.”

The simple design from the label, which was founded by late Tunisian couturier Azzedine Alaia, featured a black sweater and skirt, which Swinton paired with bright red heels.

According to a report by Deadline, the post-screening Q&A for “The Room Next Door” was interrupted by protesters chanting in support of Palestine as well as Lebanon, the recent target of Israeli airstrikes.

A spokesperson told Deadline: “Two individuals held a banner and shouted slogans in the theater during the Q&A following the NYFF screening of Pedro Almodovar’s film ‘The Room Next Door.’ They were peacefully escorted out.”

The protest reportedly drew some applause, along with some shouts calling for them to “go away.” Director Almodovar gave the group a chance to be heard as he and Swinton helped diffuse the situation.

“The Room Next Door” is Spanish filmmaker Almodovar’s first English-language movie. The picture won the Golden Lion at its Venice Film Festival world premiere as well as the Brian Award for Almodovar.

Swinton described the protest as “a dignifying thing for this festival,” adding: “These interruptions are uncomfortable, but they’re necessary, and it is relevant to our film. Syria is the room next door, Beirut, Gaza. Pedro’s film asks us not to look away.”


REVIEW: ‘Wolfs’ boasts A-list double trouble with Clooney and Pitt

REVIEW: ‘Wolfs’ boasts A-list double trouble with Clooney and Pitt
Updated 03 October 2024
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REVIEW: ‘Wolfs’ boasts A-list double trouble with Clooney and Pitt

REVIEW: ‘Wolfs’ boasts A-list double trouble with Clooney and Pitt

LONDON: The opening 30 minutes of Apple TV’s new (grammatically irritating) comedy thriller “Wolfs” is that rarest, most wonderful of things — a beautifully shot showcase of two phenomenal actors demonstrating that they are at the very top of their game.

George Clooney and Brad Pitt play two unnamed fixers called to the hotel room of a prominent district attorney whose hookup winds up dead. Though both prefer to work alone, the two contractors agree to set aside their differences to finish the job. But when the supposedly dead teenager turns out to be, well, not so dead, the two fixers must traipse across New York to clean up the rapidly spiraling mess.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Apple Films (@applefilms)

With both Clooney and Pitt willing to make fun of their own advancing years — it’s an ongoing bit that both are trying to hide their various aches and pains — director Jon Watts (recently the helmer of the Marvel “Spider-Man” movies and co-creator of Disney’s upcoming Star Wars show “Skeleton Crew”) sticks to a formula that works: namely putting the two rival fixers in a series of exasperating situations that will force them to begrudgingly like each other.

The ‘buddy comedy’ middle third of “Wolfs” is actually the least satisfying, particularly after the extremely funny opening act wherein the two professionals try to ‘out-cool’ one another. There are a few jokes that don’t land, a couple of plot points that fall off a cliff, and a grating riff on the two fixers insisting they’re not partners that we can all see through.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Apple Films (@applefilms)

But a tight, clever final third boasts set pieces which are efficiently restrained (this is no “John Wick” movie), an interesting final twist, and Clooney and Pitt really leaning into that “Oceans”-level chemistry. “Wolfs” is a snappy, smart thriller and, with a sequel reportedly on the way, will thankfully not be the last we see of this new take on an old partnership.


Dutch Moroccan DJ and producer R3hab promises Saudi gig

Dutch Moroccan DJ and producer R3hab promises Saudi gig
Updated 01 October 2024
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Dutch Moroccan DJ and producer R3hab promises Saudi gig

Dutch Moroccan DJ and producer R3hab promises Saudi gig

DUBAI: Dutch Moroccan DJ and record producer R3hab plans to return to Saudi Arabia before the end of the year, he told Arab News, hot on the heels of a busy six-month period during which he has hit the decks in Finland, China, Spain and beyond.

The DJ, who took to the stage at the E-Sports World Cup in Riyadh alongside Wiz Khalifa this summer, said in an interview with Arab News. “I’ve been to Riyadh many times, the energy of the city is unique. I really love performing in Saudi Arabia, the crowd energy is something else,” he said.

Asked if his Saudi fans will get to see him again soon, R3hab said: “All I can say is I’ll be back in Saudi before the end of the year and I can’t wait to play all the unreleased music I’ve been working on in the last months.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by R3HAB (@r3hab)

R3hab’s love story with the Kingdom does not end there. He shot a music video for his track “Run Till Dark” at the historic city of AlUla.

“The ‘Run Till Dark’ shoot was exceptional. AlUla has so much history and we shot in some amazing locations. One that I won’t forget is Gharameel — this is a stunning desert reserve with beautiful natural stone pillars unlike anywhere else in the world. We were lucky to be the first film featuring this incredible site,” he said.

Last month, R3hab released two singles, each a collaborative effort.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by R3HAB (@r3hab)

On his track “Gozalo” with Deorro, he said: “It’s been 10 years since Deorro and I produced our hit ‘Flashlight.’ We thought it’s time to get in the studio together again and combine his Latin influence with my energetic vision.”

And on his more recent release, “All Night,” a collaboration with Sophie and the Giants, he praised the artist’s vocal talent and shed light on the track’s pop influences.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by R3HAB (@r3hab)

“Sophie’s voice stands out and I wanted to work with her on a record since I heard ‘Hypnotized.’ ‘All Night’ is a party anthem to keep us all dancing towards the end of the summer, it has a retro influence with a dance-pop touch.”

The second half of the year has been as busy as the first for the jet-setting producer with appearances at Dreambeach Festival (Spain), WKND Festival (Finland), Unseen Festival (Thailand), Smukfest (Denmark), Ministry of Sound (UK), Mysteryland (The Netherlands), EDC China and the Mega DJ Festival (South Korea).

“Touring can get very intense, so I take special care to recover, exercise and eat well on tour. The motivation is simple — the people. Connecting with the crowd every time I go on stage is a very rewarding feeling and my main drive,” he said.


London plays host to rousing ‘Marvels of Saudi Orchestra’ performance

London plays host to rousing ‘Marvels of Saudi Orchestra’ performance
Updated 29 September 2024
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London plays host to rousing ‘Marvels of Saudi Orchestra’ performance

London plays host to rousing ‘Marvels of Saudi Orchestra’ performance
  • With unique Saudi flair, the performers showcased a rich repertoire that intertwined Saudi and British musical traditions

LONDON: The Saudi National Orchestra and Choir, in partnership with the UK’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, delivered a rousing performance at London’s Central Hall Westminster on Saturday night as part of the “Marvels of Saudi Orchestra” concert tour.

With unique Saudi flair, the performers showcased a rich repertoire that intertwined Saudi and British musical traditions.

In his opening remark, the CEO of the Saudi Music Commission, Paul Pacifico, said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is in the midst of an unprecedented program of social, cultural and economic transformation under Vision 2030.

“Music has a very special role to play in that transformation,” he continued. “Music’s ability to develop skills and to provide platforms for cultural and artistic expressions, as well as routes to sustainable economic development and social mobility, is at the heart of our work in the Saudi Music Commission.”

He added: “Through this concert, we strive to present some of the most iconic Saudi songs to a global audience, while inspiring the audience back home, who can take pride in seeing this music performed on one of the great stages of the world for the first time.”

English mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly also performed a song in Arabic — from the first-ever Saudi opera, “Zarqa Al-Yamama” — which had its world premiere in Riyadh this year.

Pacifico expressed hope that the event would promote cultural exchange and strengthen human connections, highlighting that “for that reason, coming to this venue is especially resonant.

“It was in this very room on the 10th of January, 1946, that the first meeting took place at the United Nations General Assembly,” He explained. “Then and now, our aim is to bring people from different cultures together to foster greater mutual understanding.”

The first segment of the two-hour concert boasted arrangements by the Saudi National Orchestra led by maestro Reaab Ahmed and accompanied by dance performances. The repertoire included iconic Saudi singer Mohammed Abdu’s “Ana Min Hal-Ard,” “Hna Talabna Allah,” “Ismahili Ya Al-Gharam,” and Adele’s hit “Rolling in the Deep” to name a few.

British maestro Benjamin Pope and Connolly of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performed the second part of the program. It featured “Crown Imperial,” “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4,” “Zadok the Priest,” and a scene from the opera “Zarqa Al-Yamama.”

The evening concluded with a medley of Saudi tunes and Rashed Almajed’s hit “Ashiginak,” conducted by Hany Farahat.