2020/2021 Winners & Shortlists

Write a short summary of what happens in the film

It’s 1985. A warm summer afternoon in Hawkins, Indiana. Dustin and the gang from Stranger Things are all on a hilltop. Dustin is trying to contact his new girlfriend, Suzie, in Utah, using his new all-powerful ham radio. He doesn’t reach her, but his garbled message is picked up by three friends who are chilling outside a late night sandwich shop. In Saudi. At first, they can’t figure out where the strange sound is coming from. But when they realise it’s coming from the silver filling in one guy’s mouth, things get fun.

Cultural / Context information for the jury

Most commercials that air in Saudi present a picture perfect version of Saudis, that tend to misrepresent real people. For this film, we wanted to be super authentic in portraying the relationship between the friends, while staying true to Saudi culture, humour and the time period. Contrary to popular belief, Saudi in the 80’s was heavily influenced by Western culture and fashion. And Stranger Things gave us the perfect opportunity to bring out that nostalgia. Late night cruises with the boys or ‘Shabab’ is a typical pastime for Saudi youth. And you’ll always see cars parked in front of sandwich shops or ‘boufias’ - it’s the Saudi equivalent of the American teens hanging out in a diner. We took that situation and gave it a weird 80’s myth meets Stranger Things, twist.

Provide the full film script in English.

In Stranger Things 3, Dustin creates his own radio device to communicate with Suzie, his long-distance girlfriend. When he can’t reach her, Dustin believes his messages are lost in the ether. But he was wrong. We’re 1980’s Jeddah, and the message is received by a group of friends who don’t speak English. They’re out on a late-night sandwich run and this is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to them. Script OPEN ON the scene from Stranger Things, with Dustin and the gang on the hilltop. Super: Hawkins - 1985 Dustin is talking into his radio trying to make contact with Suzie. Dustin: Suzie, this is Dustin, do you copy, over? Suzie, this is Dustin, do you copy, over? CUT TO the wide shot of the sun setting as Dustin continues trying to reach Suzie. MATCH CUT TO the midnight sky in Jeddah where a car is parked in front of a neon-lit Sandwich Store. Super: Saudi Arabia - 1985 Marzouq - the cool leader of the gang, is walking to the car holding a bag of freshly made sandwiches. Hammani - the Afro haired dude sitting in the front passenger seat, he’s humming a tune. Abdalla - nicknamed Aboud, the youngest in the gang, passed out in the back seat. Marzouq hops into the driver’s seat. Without turning around, he holds out a sandwich to Aboud in the backseat. Marzouq: Extra garlic and pickles… No response from Aboud. Marzouq: Extra garlic and... Marzouq glances in the rear view mirror and sees that Aboud is asleep. He throws the sandwich at Aboud. Aboud wakes up startled. Aboud (scared): Mom, forgive meee! Marzouq: What’s wrong with him? Hammani: He’s getting beaten up by his mother again. The same dream as... Marzouq: Shhhh...shut up! Everyone goes quiet. We hear Dustin’s message from Hawkins (lots of static): Su...do….py! Marzouq: You hear that? The silence is interrupted by the loud chewing sounds coming from Aboud in the back. The boys turn and stare at Aboud. Aboud swallows the food in his mouth immediately. It’s properly silent now. Dustin’s message again (low pitch and unclear): Suz...do…you....co..y! Everyone hears it now. Hammani freaks out and starts praying. Oh god! Protect us from evil. Protect us... Marzouq flicks him with the back of his head. Marzouq: Dude, shut up! Let me listen. Hammani can’t hide his fear. He’s in panic mode and you can see it in his eyes. Aboud: It’s coming from the radio. Marzouq checks the radio. Marzouq: I don’t have a radio. We hear the voice again. Dustin (low volume and unclear): Suz...do…you....co..y! Marzouq tries to follow the source of the voice. Aboud is also interested to know where it’s coming from, leans forward and sticks his head between both Hammani and Marzouq’s heads. Marzouq (yelling at Aboud): Move a bit, man! Marzouq keeps following the voice until he finally reaches Hammani’s mouth. We see his surprised face (Aha!). He looks at Aboud without saying anything, they both know what needs to be done. they need to open Hammani’s mouth. Aboud and Marzouq tag team to open Hammani’s mouth. Aboud holds his head while Marzouq pries open his mouth. Marzouq: Open, opeeen! With Hammani’s mouth wide open we hear Dustin’s voice again, but this time super clear. Dustin: Suzie, do you copy, over? Marzouq (with a weird smile on his face): It’s the cavity in his teeth! Aboud: What?! Marzouq: I read somewhere that dental fillings can catch radio signals. Hamanni: Bro, get off me! Marzouq: Aboud, get him! (signals him to go for it) Aboud grabs Hamanni, while Marzouq reaches out for his mouth. Dustin: (Now the sound is loud and clear) Suzie, do you copy, it’s Dustin! Marzouq: You see! It’s speaking. Now screaming into Hammani’s mouth. Aloo!! Aloooo, my friend! This is the best thing that’s happened to them all week, they’re all excited. Aboud: I think it’s English. Marzouq (yelling into Hammani’s mouth): English?!! Alooo, welcome English. Aboud: Bro, let me handle this. Aboud yells into Hammani’s mouth now: Mmm...Alooo! My name is Abdalla! Dustin: Suzie, do you copy? Aboud (in broken English): I am fine, thank you! Marzouq is impressed with Aboud’s English: Wow, Aboud! Your travels have taught you well. Aboud: All my trips to Cairo. Marzouq: Don’t they speak Arabic in Cairo? Anyway, tell him that Marzouq sends his regards. Aboud (still yelling in Hammani’s mouth): Ehm..my brother, Marzouq says welcome! Aboud winks at Marzouq as if to say ‘message delivered’. We hear Dustin’s message again: Suzie, do you copy? Marzouq: What is he saying? Aboud has no idea what Dustin is saying, so he improvises. Aboud: He says hi to you and your family! He can’t wait to see you. Marzouq is excited to hear that. Marzouq: That’s amazing! Now screaming into Hammani’s mouth. Marzouq: My friend! International call. Very expensive. Wrong number...wrong cavity! Marzouq and Aboud laugh hysterically into Hammani’s mouth! Hammani has had enough. Just then, all the neon lights outside start to flicker. The boys stop laughing. The electricity cuts off. The boys freeze. All we can hear is Dustin’s message and it’s fuzzy and broken again with more static. Dustin: Suzie, do …copy it’s….tin, ...ver. Cut to the roof of the car. Marzouq sticks out his head first, Aboud and Hammani follow. They look around suspiciously at the flickering neons trying to understand what’s happening. As the camera pulls back slowly, we see a reflection of red light on their faces. We hear the growl of the Mind Flayer from Stranger Things. Marzouq (scared voice): Suzie? Stranger Things theme music kicks in. Netflix END CARD. ST3 Now Streaming.