2020/2021 Winners & Shortlists

Write a short summary of what happens in the film

This film is a story of musical discovery across Saudi Arabia. We follow the journey of four friends who meet at dusk at a Pepsi vending machine - and in a celebration of the region’s old and new cultural traditions -we see the friends travel through various locations, from the expansive cityscapes of Riyadh and the narrow streets of oldtown Jeddah, to the Maraya concert hall in Al Ula and heritage towns across the Kingdom. The friends experience the Arabic Superstar Hussain Al Jassmi, witness traditional Arabic Drummers, and briefly take part in a Stomp-style percussion group and a DJ re-mix. They connect with the Saudi violinist Abdelrahman Badr and dance to a set from Cosmicat, the premier female Saudi DJ. Throughout this journey across the musical landscape of the kingdom, we re-connect the Pepsi brand to its deep connection with Saudi music - past and present.

Cultural / Context information for the jury

This film is for the Saudi market and points to the changing cultural context of the Kingdom. It features the main-stream popularity of Hussain Al Jassmi and also new, emerging Saudi talent in sport and the performing arts, such as actress Mila Al Zahrani, Formula ePrix driver Reem Al Aboud, violinist Abdelrahman Badr and Cosmicat - the first female Saudi DJ. The lyrics of the track were written by the Saudi poet, Prince Badr Bin Abdul Mohsin. Within a week, the song on which the film’s soundtrack was based on, went to Number 1 in the Anghami music charts. The film implies that a modern Saudi - whilst aware of its heritage and musical roots - is ready to discover the new.