Saify
| Saify | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Wael Abumansour |
| Written by | Wael Abumansour |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Sashank Sana |
| Edited by | Seifallah Ben Othman |
| Music by |
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Production company | |
Release date |
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Running time | 98 minutes |
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
Saify is a 2024 film written and directed by Wael Abumansour.[1] It ran as the only Saudi feature film in competition at the Red Sea International Film Festival.[2]
Synopsis
The film follows a forty-year-old con artist named Saify Muhammed. Struggling with debt to his ex-wife, he attempts blackmail.[3]
Production
In September 2024, Telfaz11 announced that it would be producing Saify, with Wael Abumansour writing and directing, and a release date for later in the year.[4]
Critical reception
The Reviews Hub lamented that the film "confuses and frustrates rather than satisfies" and that its plot "is full of holes."[5]
Dirty Movies found that "The plot of Saify is barely comprehensible for non-Arabs such as I (a frustration shared with another Western journalist with whom I watched the movie). The lack of cultural knowledge seriously compromises the viewing experience."[6]
References
- ^ Lodderhose, Diana (2024-12-12). "Saudi Writer-Director & Head Of Telfaz11 Studios Wael Abumansour Lifts Lid On Red Sea Competition Satire 'Saify' — Red Sea Studio". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ^ "WATCH: Director Wael Abumansour & Actress Nour Alkhadra Discuss Saify". CairoScene. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ^ "WATCH: Aixa Kay & Husam AlHarthi on New Saudi Drama 'Saify'". CairoScene. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ^ Vivarelli, Nick (2024-09-19). "Saudi Arabia's Groundbreaking Telfaz11 Studio Announces Satirical Film 'Saify' Involving Banned Religious Sermons". Variety. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ^ Film, The Reviews Hub- (2025-06-25). "Saify - SAFAR Film Festival 2025". The Reviews Hub. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ^ victorfraga (2024-12-09). "Saify". DMovies. Retrieved 2025-12-23.