Award-winning film director Mohamed Diab returns to the big screen with Asad, a sweeping historical epic starring Egyptian actor, Mohamed Ramadan.
Hitting cinemas across the region next month, Asad is slated to be the next Middle Eastern blockbuster. Directed by the acclaimed Mohamed Diab, the Saudi-backed historical epic is preparing for its regional debut — known globally for his work on Marvel’s Moon Knight mini series — the film is a high-budget collaboration that bridges the creative powerhouses of Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
The story is set in the 19th century and follows the journey of Asad, played by Egyptian superstar Mohamed Ramadan. Asad is a man of hardened defiance whose life is upended by a forbidden love for a free woman. When the systems of power attempt to strip him of his dignity and his most cherished possessions, his silent resistance transforms into a furious, large-scale slave revolt. The narrative is a visceral exploration of the collective fight for freedom, set within a period of intense social and historical upheaval.
A defining feature of Asad is its stunning visual scale, achieved through extensive filming on location in Saudi Arabia; key filming locations included Riyadh and AlUla. The production made significant use of the Kingdom’s diverse geography, with key sequences captured in the desert landscapes and the outskirts of the capital city. By utilising Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning film infrastructure and the natural production value of its heritage sites, the filmmakers have grounded the 19th-century drama in an authentic, rugged atmosphere that is difficult to replicate on a soundstage.
The link to Saudi Arabia goes beyond the scenery; the film is a flagship project supported by the "Big Time Fund," a Saudi-led General Entertainment Authority (GEA) initiative designed to elevate Arabic language content to a global standard.
The Big Time Investment Fund is a Saudi-led initiative launched in early 2024 to elevate the quality of Arabic filmmaking. The fund is sponsored by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and the Saudi Ministry of Culture, with participation from major media companies like Rotana and Sela. It focuses on financing high-budget productions across Saudi Arabia and the broader Arab world, including major projects like an Umm Kulthum biopic. The initiative aims to strengthen the regional film industry by supporting every stage of development, from production to distribution.
This partnership underscores the Kingdom’s strategic vision to become a central hub for regional storytelling. By combining Egyptian directorial prowess with Saudi locations and investment, Asad serves as a testament to the evolving synergy between the two nations' film industries, promising a viewing experience that is both culturally resonant and cinematically grand.
Asad will be exclusively shown in cinemas from May 14 in Egypt, and from May 21 across the Middle East
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