"The film will be shot entirely in the Kingdom and is expected to deliver a compelling artistic experience that highlights the heroism of Saudi security forces and introduces their efforts in combating crime to audiences around the world."
"Saudi authorities executed 356 people last year, including 243 for drug-related cases, and analysts say an increase in the kingdom's execution rate is largely due to its war on drugs."
"Al-Sheikh, the chair of the country's General Entertainment Authority, is known internationally for spearheading the Saudi bid to dominate world boxing and kickstarting moves to increase its influence on international football."
Renowned Australian filmmaker Phillip Noyce is directing The Watchful Eyes, a feature film financed by the Saudi regime that portrays the country's narcotics officers as heroes. The film, based on a real case from Saudi Arabia's ministry of interior, began filming in December and will release this year. Saudi Arabia executed 356 people last year, with 243 executions related to drug offenses, and analysts attribute the rising execution rate largely to the kingdom's aggressive war on drugs. Noyce has been guided through filming locations and prisons by Turki al-Sheikh, a royal adviser with documented allegations of human rights violations. Al-Sheikh, chair of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority and close confidant of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has promoted the project extensively on social media.
#saudi-arabia-propaganda #filmmaker-ethics #human-rights-concerns #drug-enforcement #capital-punishment
Read at www.theguardian.com
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