11 October All day
Saudi Stories Take Centre Stage in Durban
The Saudi Film Nights tour heads to Durban on 11 October, bringing two thought-provoking contemporary Saudi films to The Playhouse Company’s Drama Theatre.
The Durban programme features Siwar and First Funeral Day, two very different stories that explore family, identity, loss and the complicated truths that can reshape people’s lives.
When DNA Changes Everything
Inspired by true events, Siwar follows a Saudi family and a Turkish family whose lives are turned upside down after DNA testing reveals that their children were accidentally switched at birth.
What follows is more than a shocking discovery. The film opens up questions around identity, parenthood, belonging and what truly makes someone part of a family.
Confronting Grief and the Past
First Funeral Day takes a more intimate approach, focusing on an estranged father who returns to his former home following the death of his child.
His return forces the family to confront grief, distance and truths that have remained unresolved.
Together, the two films showcase the emotional range of contemporary Saudi cinema while giving Durban audiences an opportunity to connect with stories that explore universal experiences through distinctly different cultural perspectives.
With Saudi filmmakers also attending the screenings, the Durban stop offers audiences more than a night at the movies — it creates an opportunity for conversation and cultural exchange.
