“The Matchmaker” is a groundbreaking film for Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing film industry, exploring the controversial concept of “misyar” and breaking local boundaries. The psychological thriller released be Netflix last week centers on a married IT worker who becomes infatuated with a beautiful intern at his office and ventures into uncharted territory, following her to a mysterious desert resort where a matchmaker promises men she will pair them with their perfect bride.
Produced by Telfaz 11, a disruptive Saudi shingle, and directed by Abdulmohsen Aldhabaan, “The Matchmaker” has supernatural elements and marks one of the first psychological thrillers from Saudi Arabia. Shot in the ancient city of AlUla, the sprawling desert area is a captivating backdrop for the film’s eerie, atmospheric setting.
In an exclusive interview with Variety, producer Mohammed Alhamoud, who heads development at Telfaz 11, discusses the genesis of the film and why it represents a novelty for Saudi Arabia’s film industry.
Experimenting with Genre
According to Alhamoud, the idea behind “The Matchmaker” was to experiment with genre, stepping away from the traditional drama and comedy that dominate Saudi filmmaking. The Telfaz team wanted to make a psychological thriller that played on the controversial concept of “misyar,” a no-strings-attached marriage that waives conventional rights such as cohabitation and financial support.
“Misyar” is a disputed practice in Saudi society, with legal and cultural disputes surrounding it. The team behind “The Matchmaker” came up with the concept of a matchmaker who sought specific types of men, inviting them to a secret resort in the desert to change their lives, providing the basic premise of the film.
Portraying New Dynamics between Men and Women in Saudi
Alhamoud emphasized the importance of representing women in Saudi society accurately in the film. While the director, Aldhabaan, has a personal connection to the story, Telfaz aimed to depict women in Saudi Arabia as they are today.
The intern, a key character in the film, represents the new dynamic between men and women in the workplace in Saudi Arabia. The story follows a bored office worker who becomes infatuated with the new intern, reflecting the changes in Saudi society where men and women mix freely in the workplace.
“We were actually very cautious about that from the beginning. That’s why alongside a male director, we also had female writers with us in the writers’ room,” Alhamoud explained. “This film might be personal for the director, but from our side we want it to represent what women in Saudi are like today.”
Target Audience and Social Importance
Alhamoud believes that the film appeals to both genders, with a female matchmaker at the heart of the story and a modern Saudi man whose wife has a better job than him as the protagonist. He sees a diverse audience for the film, mainly in Saudi Arabia, where audiences are drawn to supernatural and mystical stories.
While the social aspect of the film is important, Alhamoud explained that the team at Telfaz did not focus on it initially. The most important aspect was the story itself, which they wanted to be genre-driven and relevant to Saudi society.
“We wanted to make a good psychological thriller with a strong atmospheric element that was provided by the location at AlUla,” Alhamoud said. “So we did not focus on the social aspect first. For us, the story is the most important thing.”
Breaking Barriers in Saudi Arabia’s Film Industry
“The Matchmaker” is a significant film for Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing film industry, breaking new ground in its exploration of controversial topics and new dynamics between men and women.
Mohammed Alhamoud, the head of development at Telfaz 11, believes that the film’s supernatural element and the unique setting in AlUla will be appealing to audiences of all ages. He stated that, “At Telfaz, we wanted to make a good psychological thriller with a strong atmospheric element that was provided by the location at AlUla. So we did not focus on the social aspect first”.
Indeed, “The Matchmaker” offers a unique look at Saudi society, particularly in its portrayal of the changing dynamics between men and women. As Alhamoud explains, the inclusion of a female intern was not something that was contrived for the sake of the story. Rather, it reflects the reality of modern Saudi Arabia, where men and women are increasingly interacting in the workplace. The film also tackles the controversial topic of “misyar” marriages, which are often done in secret and waive many of the traditional rights that come with marriage.
Overall, “The Matchmaker” represents a significant step forward for Saudi Arabia’s film industry. While the country has seen a boom in filmmaking over the past few years, most of the movies produced have been dramas or comedies. By contrast, “The Matchmaker” is one of the country’s first psychological thrillers, and it tackles subject matter that is both controversial and relevant to Saudi society.
As for Telfaz 11, the studio is already planning its next project: a comedy series about the life of Saudi women. “We’re very interested in creating content that represents the true Saudi experience,” Alhamoud says.
“The Matchmaker” is a groundbreaking film that offers a unique look at Saudi Arabia’s changing society. With its blend of supernatural elements, psychological tension, and social commentary, the movie is sure to appeal to audiences of all ages and genders. As Saudi Arabia’s film industry continues to evolve and grow, it’s clear that Telfaz 11 and other studios are poised to lead the charge in creating truly innovative and boundary-pushing content.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.
