Saudi Arabia Lifts the ban on cinemas after 35 years!
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Saudi Arabia on Monday lifted 35 years-long bans on cinemas, part of a series of social reforms by the powerful crown prince that is shaking up the ultra-conservative kingdom. Licensing cinemas were the first step taken by the government and the first movie theatres are expected to open next March, in a decision that could boost the kingdom’s promising film industry.
Reviving cinemas would represent a paradigm move in the kingdom, which is promoting entertainment as a part of a sweeping reform plan for a post-oil era, despite opposition from hardliners who have long belittled movie theatres as vulgar and sinful.
In a statement, the culture and information ministry said, commercial cinemas will be allowed to function in the kingdom by early 2018, for the first time in 35 years, marks a breaking point in the development of the cultural economy in the kingdom. The information minister Awwad Alawwad also said that Saudi Arabia is expected to have more than 300 cinemas with over 2000 screens across the kingdom by 2030.
