EMERGING
MARKETS
Censorship? Easing restrictions Censorship is also being affected by this shift in attitude. I can vividly recall in the early 2000s sending the Saudi censor board a VHS copy of Disney’s U-rated animated feature “Atlantis” for release on DVD. Featuring a watery cast dressed mainly in modest swimwear, any suggestion of flesh came back from the board edited out. The result was a nonsensical 12 minutes of footage. Unsurprisingly, “Atlantis” never got a release in Saudi Arabia. The Vision 2030 edict is now lifting censorship restrictions to facilitate trade and compete with its neighbours in the region. The sense is that Saudi Arabia wants to be seen in censorship terms as liberal as the UAE so in turn the UAE is having to work a little harder to stay one step ahead. That isn’t to say that it’s anything like as liberal as the West and every piece of content still needs to pass through a strict censor board. But the shift is noticeable. Perhaps it’s time to revisit “Atlantis”.
compete for product from the West to distribute amongst the other chains themselves. At present there is only one distributor — Front Row Filmed Entertainment — that is in the enviable position of hoovering up all the business, but there is plenty of room for healthy competition. It seems inevitable that this will take place over the next few years. Local offices for major studios may well spring up as they see the potential in investing in the lucrative Arab market. There will be a sweet spot, where the number of cinemas just services the swelling population — there is a danger it may eventually tip over into saturation. But all this seems a long way off and as Adon Quinn reminded me, “Let’s just speed to market while the going is good.” All of this activity, the liberalisation of trade, the embracing of diversity, the huge state investment and the education of the workforce is going to be a force for massive positive change in the region. Dazzling though this all is, there are caveats. These are still sheikhdoms. Perceived
accomplishments applauded in the UAE.”
freedoms may not quite be as they seem. Doing business
Room for competition, not over-saturation
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here is different. There are cultural, political and ideological differences between the West and the GCC to be mindful of,
There are gaps in the market; distribution has yet to take hold
but the opportunities are extensive and exciting — and for
in the GCC as a standalone business, and the cinema chains
creative industries, the next ten years will be captivating.
2-3
The luxury vibe, as typified by Reel Cinemas’ Platinum suites. Is the A/C a little chilly? Take a cashmere blanket
“High-profile women leaders are encouraged, and their
In the coming 2-3 years Muvi expects to open eight locations in KSA in the next 8 months, and an astonishing 250 screens within 2 years
in 2004, Dubai represented just 6% of India-based Yash Raj Films’ international business (the US accounted for 30%). Dubai now accounts for 30% of its business
6%
www.cinematech.today
31/07/2019 11:26