Osama Alkhurayji’s debut feature tackles the age-old question of nature versus nurture ALULA: Saudi director and producer Osama Alkhurayji’s debut feature film, “Siwar,” is the latest high-profile local production — following Netflix drama “The Matchmaker” and Tawfik Alzaidi’s debut feature “Norah” — to be shot in the historic region of AlUla. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @arabnews.lifestyle In “Siwar,” AlUla stands in for Najran, a city in near the Kingdom’s border with Yemen. Alkhurayji tells Arab News that “Siwar,” for which a release date has yet to be set, is based on a true story about two families “entangled in a fateful revelation about their newborns.” “The story is set in the Najran region in Saudi Arabia, which is partly isolated or closed off. It is a place that has retained its cultural roots and has not been influenced by modern life,” Alkhurayji says. “Locality is the most crucial factor that I concentrated on in the movie. For me, AlUla bears a strong resemblance to the Najran region, particularly the rural area, in terms of their aesthetic distinctiveness in details such as the clouds, the sky, the colors, the sun’s reflection, and the farms — which are even more beautiful than Najran. Moreover, AlUla also retains its local character.” The film centers on two fathers: Yaner, a Turk, and Hamad, a Saudi, as they navigate societal challenges and personal upheavals. “The film is about identity. What is identity? Is it something we are born with? Or is it a product of our upbringing? This is the most essential question that the film explores,” Alkhurayji says. “The film’s title is inspired by the hospital bracelet placed on a child’s hand after he or she is born, which (can be subject to) inadvertent human error,” he continued. First-time actor Fahid Ben Demnan, a native of Najran, portrays Hamad. “I play a simple, humble character living a rural life in a tribal community. Audiences can anticipate a dynamic shift for me, from comedy to social commentary.” he tells Arab News. “The character’s resemblance to myself is similar and the portrayal of a real-life story from my home town Najran, the community where I grew in, is such a blessing,” he added. Meanwhile, Sara Al-Bakhali, who plays Noura in the film, hopes the audience will connect with the heartfelt narrative of “Siwar.” “Noura is an orphan who lives with her father’s brother. She was married when she was a teenager and has two children — Ali and Sara. They all live in one house as a family. She lives a rural life and is responsible for keeping the farm safe. Then a shocking incident takes place and their lives are completely transformed,” Al-Bakhali tells Arab News. To prep for her role, Al-Bakhali travelled to the Najran region and spent time with local families there, in order to learn their dialect and their customs. “The dialect and playing the role of a mother were challenging, because I have never experienced it before,” she said. Both Al-Bakhali and Ben Demnan were full of praise for their director. “Working with Osama was incredibly enriching; he is a remarkable and humble individual, meticulous about every detail. He also offered invaluable insights into filming and acting and ensured everyone felt comfortable on set and during work,” said Ben Demnan. “He is such an inspiring and supportive director, and I hope to work with him again in the future,” added Al-Bakhali. Alkhurayji — who is also the CEO of Hakawati Entertainment — started making films in 2007, and has earned local and international recognition for his work. A prolific content producer, he has worked with several TV networks, theaters, distributors and streaming platforms including Netflix, Shahid and SBA. While Alkhurayji is excited about the rapid growth of the Saudi film industry, the director believes that it could be “another five years” before it truly hits its stride. But global interest is definitely increasing, he stresses. “It is clear that the environment in Saudi Arabia currently appeals to countries around the world,” he says. “I now get projects and requests from other companies and filmmakers, and I receive many more communications from outside Saudi Arabia than I do from within it.”