Riyadh - Saudi Arabia - Welcome to Arabia - Directors Cut

Описание: Saudi Arabia is changing rapidly and it is inviting the world to come and explore. By making tourist visa now widely available, the country is truly opening its doors to the travellers. It’s definitely positive development for the people as the reception of travellers wil change the country for the good.

We were asked to create a series of travel films to showcase the various regions in the country. We pleasantly surprised by the array of gems are to be discovered throughout this vast country, that till date remained fairly undiscovered.

In this film follow Saudi Fatima on a journey showing her friend foreign friend Enza her country.

Note this is a director's cut that is different form the original launched earlier.

Places that are being shown are all around the region of Riyadh:

Historical Diriyah: it’s the historical home of the Saudi state. It was restored by King Abdullah and therefore now a UNESCO heritage site. Entering the site gave us the feeling being lost in a labyrinth guiding you through Saudi’s past. With some imagination you can daydream how ancient civilisations thrived between the walls of the old city. There’s walkways to explore every corner of it, there’s museums to learn about the past and hundreds of photo opportunities.

If you’re interested n strolling around Riyadh’s oldest and the most visited market Souk Al-Zal is your place to go. At his market you can discover the more traditional side of the Saudi culture and influences from other countries like Jemen. The contrast to the razzle-dazzle of the modern high rises and huge shopping malls in the centre is enormous.

Al Masmak Palace Museum in the equally named fortress gives a tour though Saud history. It’s full of objects, reliquaries, foto and video exhibitions. The open spaces in the fortress are great for photography as there’s a particular kind of light hitting the historical walls from above.

The most epic landscape in this region is surely The Edge of the World .. you’ll drive through the vast desert till you reach a spectacular sharp edge where an ancient ocean bed drops a dazzling 300m after it continues to street out to the horizon. There’s some hiking trails and around and you might find some fossils too. Go near sunset and you will be able to get truly amazing footage and photo’s.

Go to the Nadj village restaurant for on of the most immersive traditional Saudi food experiences in term of food and ambience. It’s a true oasis when you want to escape the heat of the day. The air gets moisturised which gives also a mysterious atmosphere. You’ll have you’re in a private space sitting on cushions on the ground seeing how the traditionally dressed waiters bring you mouthwatering food. It’s recommended to explore the other spaces.. we had fun filming here, as it breathes culture and there’s amazing details to capture everywhere.

The Kingdom Tower Skybridge is the main land mark of Riyadh An elevator brings you up to the glass corridor this enormous glas high rise in the heart of the city. From here you can gaze over both sides of the city until your eye gets lost in the desert. Go at sunset to see the light change.. a good time-lapse opportunity here.

At the Abdullah Park there are fountains that are pretty nice at night. There’s a light show with music that can be watched from a huge balcony. Try drive around on a twin bike at night and enjoy the space.

This project commissioned by the Saudi Commission for Tourism
Agency: Media Monks
Production house: Dubai Films

Director: Caspar Daniël Diederik
Producing Production Coordinator: Michael Essey
Lead Producer: Ivan Sebastian
Creative: Miriam Patience
Editor: Hani Fayed
Agency Producer: Jatinder Mahli
DOP/Camera: Ziryab Al Gabri
Camera B: Nate Root
B-roll/Photographer: Steel Stride
Sound unit: Tom Savage
Starring: Enza di Lecce
Starring: Fatima
Ground team coordinator: Majid

PROJECT COMMISSIONED BY THE SAUDI COMMISSION FOR TOURISM
AGENCY: MEDIA MONKS
PRODUCTION COMPANY: DUBAI FILMS

DIRECTOR: CASPAR DANIËL DIEDERIK

EDITOR: HANI FAYED
MUSIC COMPOSER: REID WILLIS
SOUND DESIGN: VLADIMIR DOSHA

DOP - 1ST CAMERA: ZIRYAB AL GABRI
2ND CAMERA: NATE ROOT
PHOTOGRAPHY: STEELE STRIDE
SOUNDS UNIT TOM SAVAGE
STARRING: ENZA DI LECCE
STARRING: FATIMA

LEAD PRODUCER: IVAN SEBASTIAN
CREATIVE: MIRIAM PATIENCE
AGENCY PRODUCER: JATINDER MAHLI
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR: MICHAEL ESSEY
GROUND TEAM COORDINATOR: MAJID SAYED