Saudi film producer Faisal Baltyuor is preparing to launch Cinehouse, the Kingdom’s first arthouse cinema, in October. Speaking from his Riyadh headquarters, Baltyuor shares that the initiative was inspired by his own desires as a film enthusiast. He has been instrumental in several successful Saudi titles, including Netflix originals, but Cinehouse represents a personal passion aimed at creating a unique cinematic experience.
“Having it in Riyadh, the capital and the heart of the country, was important,” Baltyuor states. He envisions Cinehouse as a vibrant center for filmmakers, aspiring to attract audiences from all corners of Riyadh, including travelers from the airport.
The inaugural screening will showcase the 1975 documentary “Development of Riyadh City,” directed by Abdullah Al-Muheisen, chosen intentionally to highlight the city’s history.
Supporting Saudi talent is a cornerstone of Cinehouse’s mission. The venue is committed to nurturing local professionals across various roles, ensuring it becomes a place that honors and cultivates Saudi creativity.
“We wanted to create a place that feels like home, while showcasing the best of Saudi talent in both cinema and dining,” Baltyuor says. He emphasizes that Cinehouse aims to offer more than just a place to watch films; it is about creating a holistic cinematic environment.
Cinehouse will feature three intimate screening rooms equipped with cutting-edge Dolby Atmos sound systems, as well as a menu curated by a renowned Saudi chef. “We’re creating a space where people feel like they belong,” Baltyuor adds.
Each month, a dedicated team will select films, ensuring a mix of local Saudi and Middle Eastern offerings alongside international cinema. October’s lineup includes films like “The Zone of Interest,” “The Executioner,” “Fallen Leaves,” and “The Burdened” by Yemeni director Amr Gamal.
Faisal Baltyuor’s Five Must-See Movies:
- The Godfather
“I don’t think there’s a single person who doesn’t know how the great director Frances Ford Coppola, with this film, influenced lovers of artistic cinema — to the point that it turned into a cinematic icon that was, and still is, high up the lists of the best films in history.”
- The Shawshank Redemption
“What I love most about this cinematic masterpiece is that it’s an ordinary story about hope, which the little-known director Frank Darabont transformed into a great film. Could Stephen King have imagined, when he wrote ‘Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption,’ what it would become? I don’t know. But, as Andy Dufresne says: ‘Remember, Red, hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.’”
- Inception
“Christopher Nolan’s visual world — which revolves around memory, mind, and the nature of the human psyche — always aims to explore topics within the framework of a social-philosophical plot in an attempt to reach the truth of man, time, and identity in an artistic way. In this film, he took inspiration from the architectural compositions of the works of the Dutch artist M. C. Escher.”
- Past Lives
“In South Korean culture, the concept of In-Yun is one similar to fate, which suggests that nothing is coincidental and every single meeting is mainly the result of meetings that happened in previous lives. That’s what’s at the heart of Celine Song’s romantic drama.”
- Ratatouille
“This is a must-see because Pixar, and even Walt Disney Pictures, have not yet produced a better film than this animation in all its aspects — the story, the imagery, the technology, and the acoustics.”