Award-winning Abu Dhabi-based filmmaker Nancy Paton and reformed Hollywood wild child Lindsay Lohan are hoping to be among the first to capitalise on the return of cinema to Saudi Arabia, as well as the liberalization of gender roles in the kingdom, when they shoot female-centric feature Frame in Riyadh this September.
Please support this incredible #movement .. I look forward to being a part of this with the movie #FRAMETHEMOVIE https://t.co/oOQAYGFqJq
— Lindsay Lohan (@lindsaylohan) December 11, 2017
Lindsay revealed that her movie will follow an American photographer who leaves her husband in the US and moves to the Saudi Arabia capital, Riyadh. She also added that the film will be called Frame. The 31-year-old said, “The character becomes immersed in Saudi culture and is taken in by a group of women who introduce her to their lives.”
Adding in a little more detail, Lindsay also stated, “The character then starts to understand the culture and how the women there are. Like fencing is a big thing there, so there are a lot of fencing courses and horse-back riding… the women take her in to understand why they cover and why they do these things.”
Paton says that she intends to have the film ready in time to hit the festival circuit in 2019, with a Saudi, regional and global release to follow.
Historically, Saudi Arabia has not been the easiest place to access for either film crews or women, with a complex visa system, tight controls on shooting, and strict laws regarding gender roles offering significant hurdles. Paton is confident things are changing, however: “By the time we go into production all will be good for a female film crew,” she insists.
“Exciting times are ahead for women and film and Saudi Arabia and cinema.”
