By Marwan Hafez
KWUAIT: Despite recent advancements in Kuwait’s film industry, significant challenges remain, including limited funding and resources compared to more established film markets. However, the passion and dedication of emerging Kuwaiti filmmakers, along with a supportive community, point to a promising future for the country’s cinematic landscape. Salem Alhajeri, a Kuwaiti filmmaker, shared his perspectives on the current state and future of cinema in Kuwait. His insights shed light on the specific challenges facing the local film industry and suggest ways to foster its growth and creativity.
"Understanding the market is key to film production,” Alhajeri explained. "In small markets like Kuwait, we face resource constraints that impact the scale and quality of our film projects. This contrasts with larger markets where more resources are available.” He compared the situation in Kuwait to that of Hollywood, noting, "Hollywood has vast resources and a large audience, which allows them to produce cutting-edge and high-quality films. In contrast, Kuwaiti filmmakers often work with smaller budgets and fewer viewers, which can limit our creative possibilities.”
To address these limitations and boost Kuwaiti cinema, Alhajeri proposed international collaboration. "To enhance the Kuwaiti film industry, Gulf cooperation could be a viable option. Partnering with countries with extensive film production experience could help improve film quality and expand markets.” He said. "Additionally, using languages such as English could be beneficial for reaching a broader global audience.”
Alhajeri also touched on the issue of freedom of expression in Kuwait. "The level of freedom for publishing and expression varies greatly across the region. In some places, strict rules can limit creative freedom, which is a major obstacle for innovative filmmaking.” Another restricting factor mentioned by Alhajeri is Kuwait’s cultural traditions, which highly affects the country’s film content. "Our traditions play a big role in shaping the films we produce. While it’s important to honor these traditions, we also need to introduce new ideas and modern storytelling techniques to help our industry grow.”
He cited the notable progress seen in Saudi films as an example of how new ideas and improved quality can reflect significant advancement. On a positive note, Alhajeri praised Kuwait’s advertising industry for its exceptional creativity. "Our commercial sector meets international standards with its innovative talents. This same level of creativity should be applied to our film production to develop the quality and expand the reach of our movies.”
In closing, Alhajeri stressed the need for diversity in Kuwaiti film content, advocating for a broader range of topics beyond family-oriented or traditional themes. "We have the potential to explore various subjects and engage audiences of all ages. By combining traditional elements with innovative ideas, we can create films that are both captivating and impactful.”