Dakota Johnson: Visit to Saudi Arabia “Renewed” My Faith in Cinema

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Dakota Johnson recently expressed her admiration for Saudi Arabia’s growing film scene. After attending the Red Sea International Film Festival, she said the experience reinvigorated her belief in the power of movies. The festival showcases new talent not only from Saudi Arabia, but from across the Arab world and other countries as well.

I was really moved by what Johnson shared at the festival. She said seeing all the incredible work here genuinely inspired her, and she wants to bring that same supportive energy to her production company back in the States. She made it clear she’s eager to help these filmmakers in any way she can.

She shared that she was learning a lot from her experience, and noted a stark contrast between filmmaking in Saudi Arabia and the United States. She described the atmosphere in the US as bleak, but said that even in the short time she’d been in Saudi Arabia, she felt hopeful about the future of cinema.

In 2017, Saudi Arabia reopened its cinemas after a 35-year ban, creating new possibilities for both movie creators and viewers. Actress Johnson has publicly criticized Hollywood, calling it uninspired and depressing.

She disapproved of the tendency for leaders to play it safe. Last year, she explained, “It seems like people are paralyzed by fear. I always wonder, what’s the worst that could happen if they took a risk?” She felt that decision-makers often lacked initiative, prioritizing safety over boldness, which she found uninspiring.

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2025-12-11 11:44