February 2025 at Hayy Cinema

Join us at Hayy Cinema this February for a diverse lineup of films from around the world! Experience the 4K restoration of Lion of the Desert, and explore contemporary cinema with the Saudi film Saify  We’re also bringing the Berlinale-selected Chinese film Some Rain Must Fall (2024) to the big screen. Don’t miss these screenings, plus engaging discussions and events only at Hayy Cinema.

Monthly Programme

A Cinematic Tribute to Omar Mukhtar, Restored to 4K.

Lion of the Desert (1981): Lion of the Desert tells the story of Omar Mukhtar, the leader of the Libyan resistance against the Italian colonization of Libya in the 1920s. The film chronicles Mukhtar’s struggles, his dedication to freeing his people from foreign rule, and his eventual capture and execution. The film also explores the broader themes of resistance, sacrifice, and the human cost of colonialism.

Genre: Historical Drama
Director: Moustapha Akkad
Country: Libya / United States
Language: Arabic, English
Subtitles: Arabic, English

Exclusive KSA Release after restoration, not suitable for children

A Rollercoaster of Blackmail, Dreams, and Desperation in 1990s Saudi Arabia

Saify (2024): Set against the backdrop of late 1990s Saudi Arabia, Saify tells the story of a man in his forties, clinging to dreams of quick wealth despite a lifetime of failed ventures. Running a small cassette shop selling banned religious sermons, he stumbles upon a dangerous recording that could ruin a powerful businessman’s reputation, setting off a chain of events that forces him into a high-stakes game of greed, deception, and survival.

Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Director: Wael Abumansour
Country: Saudi Arabia
Language: Arabic
Subtitles: English

A Haunting Tale of Family, Breakdown, and Redemption

Some Rain Must Fall (2024): Cai, a 40-year-old housewife, feels disconnected from her true self. During her daughter’s basketball game, she accidentally injures an elderly woman, setting off a chain of events that disrupt her life and compel her to confront her past and future.

Genre: Drama
Director: Qiu Yang
Country: China
Language: Mandarin (Chinese)
Subtitles: English, Arabic

Exclusive KSA release