For only the second time in 30 years, a movie has been shown publicly in Saudi Arabia. Authorities in that country, which shut down theaters under Islamic law in 1982, allowed the 2009 IMAX movie Journey to Mecca to be screened at the Jeddah Hilton on Sunday, Daily Variety reported. "Some would say the impossible happened," the trade publication commented. Screening of the movie was featured at the opening of the Jeddah Economic Forum, under the patronage of King Abdullah bin Abdulazia Al-Saud. Variety did not indicate whether the screening might become a wedge to open up additional film screenings in the country, although it did conclude that it "represents a huge step that could be significant for film fans in Saudi Arabia."

06/03/2012