READ MORE: The Romantic Comedy Is Having a Revolution — And It’s Happening on TV
The romantic-comedy has come a long way since the days of Nora Ephron. In the U.S. they’re mostly considered cliche and void of any real substance, though that doesn’t stop people from seeing them. But in a country like, say Saudi Arabia, the rom-com is practically revolutionary.
Mahmoud Sabbagh makes his feature writing and directing debut with “Barakah Meets Barakah,” a film about romance, love, and connection in a society which prohibits all three. Perhaps Saudi Arabia’s first-ever romantic comedy film, “Barakah Meets Barakah” follows Barakah, a municipal agent, and Bibi, a social media star, from first encounter through their hilariously frustrating first date.
Featuring performances from Hisham Fageeh (Barakah) and Fatima Al-Banawi (Bibi), the film should make an inspiring debut at the Berlinale this year. “Barakah Meets Barakah” makes it’s world premiere on February 12 in Berlin.
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