2020/2021 Winners & Shortlists

Write a short summary of what happens in the film

An action movie. The film opens on a foreign mob packing their stolen goods in the desert. They are interrupted by another armed car that approaches them, forcing to a car chase that turns into an armed gun fight. As the first gang is captured, the boxes of drugs and weapons are transferred to the attackers’ vehicles, where they drive away. We cut to an on-screen message, informing viewers that what they saw could be nothing more significant than a scene from an action movie, before resuming with the events of the film. We fade in to see the gang now driving during nighttime, gloating with exuberance as they approach KSA’s Customs boarders and only to instantly show their ultimate arrest by the customs agents. The on-screen message continues, informing us that for the agents, this is reality, followed by celebratory message for Saudi’s Customs National Day.

Cultural / Context information for the jury

Most government and private agencies celebrate their National Days with creative films that focus on showcasing unity or national celebratory footage. Yet, Saudi Customs are the only entity that is unable to do so, given the negative perception it suffers from by the nationals, as they are categorized as agents that collect financial taxes on border arrivers, while getting recognized as part of the honorary army forces. The negative perception was due to the fact that the government never releases any information regarding the capturing of illegal or dangerous goods on their borders, to help sustain the feeling of safety. In reality, the customs agents, specifically those located on Saudi Arabia’s boarders, are forced to deal with dangerous individuals who attempt to enter the country illegally bringing dangerous goods with them, that include guns and drugs.