The Saudi Arabian region of AlUla has no shortage of fun activities for locals and tourists to partake in, from concerts to hot air balloons, art exhibitions to culinary magic, but, if you're looking for a unique movie experience, then look no further than AlUla’s Cinema ElHoush. This beautiful outdoor cinema is designed as the region's arthouse, a hub for arts and culture while catering to moviegoers five nights per week.
Here is what to expect when visiting Cinema ElHoush. As a cinema, you can expect to see some of the finest selections of Saudi, Arab, and international films. In fact, the films are shown based on the following weekly themes: Cannes & Venice Film Festival, Saudi movies, Contemporary Arab movies, Afghan movies, and more. In addition, you can also expect to watch classical films, as well as documentaries.
The cinema also has a cafe and lounge for refreshments. Head over for your local cold brew coffee before your next viewing, or just simply hang out at the lounge with families and friends. The cafe opens from 6:30 PM to 12:30 PM, whereas the cinema operates from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM.
Cinema ElHoush is the brainchild of Saudi film director, producer, and screenwriter, Mahmoud Sabbagh, who set out to establish one of the first true arthouses in the Kingdom. Before AlUla, in fact, it first launched in the coastal city of Jeddah.
"The idea of the cinema comes from outdoor cinemas, which was a phenomenon that existed in old Jeddah from the 1940s until the end of the 1970s, where people gathered in courtyards where they would screen a film and enjoy it," he told Arab News in a 2019 article.
As demand for cinema continued to grow, Sabbagh noticed that there were still not enough arthouses in Saudi Arabia, saying, "With the opening of cinemas, we are witnessing a burst of commercial-driven cinema multiplexes. However, there was a void someone had to fill by introducing this idea of arthouse cinemas."
Undoubtedly, Cinema ElHoush brings to AlUla a stunning outdoor experience, while spoiling viewers with a broad selection of both regional and international films. If you want to see it for yourself, it's located in Aljadidah, just a short drive from Winter at Tantora Festival, in AlUla . You may also buy your tickets for either weekly themes at www.experiencealula.com.
