Saudi’s first psychological thriller The Matchmaker has been the talk of the region since it released on Netflix on April 27, and with good reason–it’s a film that not only is full of mystery in intrigue, but taps on aspects of Saudi society that are being touched on in cinema for the first time.
According to director Abdulmohsen Aldhabaan, that’s all with intention. He and the team at Telfaz11 went through great lengths to tap into both real-life experiences as well as the myths and legends of the Kingdom, in order to craft something both wholly familiar and completely unique.
To break down all that went into crafting his hit film, Esquire Middle East sat down with Aldhabaan to discover all that went into the making of the film.
Read our full conversation below.
Abdulmohsen Aldhabaan speaks with Esquire Middle East
What was it that attracted you to this project to begin with? What made you feel this was a story you needed to tell personally?
The story from my end is connected to us Saudis from old legend. It’s a real raw story connected to society as a thriller in a more dramatic way. I felt engaged and pulled to the story, as I wanted to write it from my own perspective and own lens in a way that connects to the Saudi society.
Could you tell me more about how this connects to Saudi society?
Back in the day, it was very difficult for people to get engaged or get to meet someone just through one on one. Not all, but the majority would have to go through a matchmaker to help them get to their match or get their prospective husband or wife. I wanted to tell that story and focus on that aspect because that’s how it was back in the days, as now it’s not the case. So, I was focusing on that angle and how people used to go to a matchmaker to seek marriage as something that was scrutinized back in the day somehow. People would end up not necessarily with the best partner due to the restrictions that they would have back then.
Beyond those real life aspects, how did you learn about these legends that inspired the story and how did you go about weaving this narrative into those legends?
Each culture has its own legends and mythologies. So for us it would make more sense to have the matchmaker villainized in a way that is connected to our legends and our stories that maybe our ancestors would tell. We’re more connected to legends and mythology when telling stories here, so presenting the matchmaker to be this witch who is getting her vendetta makes a stronger connection and is more thrilling to the culture and society who is receiving the film versus something that’s more scientific or just more strategic that just wouldn’t be as exciting.
How did you go about researching those legends and that history?
The idea of the matchmaker is something that’s related in our society regionally as well. Having it be the “Bruja” or the Witch is something universal that a lot of cultures and societies would relate to. I wanted to take that character and build on the stereotype of it being a witch and just exaggerate it a little bit to be more exciting and more thrilling.
What was it about Al Ula that you felt was the perfect setting for this?
Filming in a place that is very historic and very legendary is something that goes hand in hand with the ambiguity of the movie. There’s something mystical about living in the desert and not knowing what you will face daily and what secrets the desert unfolds or will be hiding for the person living there. So it blends very well with the mystery of the movie and culture of the movie. It being a historic place, a legendary place, a place that’s very near and dear to Saudis, as well as a place that is filled with mystery, excitement, and thrills sort of complements the entire package of the movie and the story, all contributed.
How did you go about assembling this cast?
Aside from all being very talented, Husam Al Harthy the lead actor comes from a comedic background, so I thought it would be very interesting for him to take on this new role and take something that’s new and challenging for him. But at the same time, something that would complement his character as his qualities adapt to the character of this film. We felt that it was a challenge but at the same time something very interesting and new and fresh for Husam to bring.
As for Reem Al Habib the lead actress, obviously she’s a very great actress and her character blended very well with the movie. I felt that she’s the perfect match for this film as she has done many films previously and is very talented and knowledgeable in this field.
As for Nour Alkhadra, the intern who Husam falls in love with, you know it’s always great to bring in a fresh face to screen. And she has also worked previously in this industry and has done a couple of movies, so I felt combining all of those three elements together to create something that would bring something new, fresh and exciting to the screen.
What’s your working relationship like with the team at Telfaz11?
I’ve loved working with Telfaz, especially with them being the leader in Saudi when it comes to comedy and entertainment. We thought of both of us getting together and bringing something new and different to the table like The Matchmaker, which is a psychological thriller with a little bit of mystery and excitement. We sat together, processing this story, wondering how is it going to be? How is it going to reflect to the Saudi society? What elements can we bring together that can be relatable but at the same time mysterious and intriguing? There were several steps and several processes involved in us getting together, starting to hone the story, perfect it, and bring something different and new to the table.
What’s ground would you still like to break, in terms of your personal goals?
As artists, work is never complete. I’ve barely scratched the surface. Coming from a background not only as a director or as a professional in this industry, but also a person who loves this industry, who enjoys watching movies and making them, I feel I’m only just starting. And, taking on this movie, The Matchmaker, which is something new for me, is definitely exciting as it’s bringing something new to my field of knowledge. I have a long way to go, and want to work on more complex genres to bring to the Saudi film industry.
What inspired you to become a filmmaker like what was it in your life? What was the moment that you knew this is what you wanted to do?
Ever since I was a child I have always been drawn to this industry and knew deep inside that one day I will end up working in film. However early on, I never knew whether I wanted to be an actor or someone behind the scenes. But as I fell deeper into this industry and more involved I found my passion for filmmaking. I’ve found my place in something that I want to do for the rest of my life.
What were the films that inspired you most?
Terminator II was the first film to leave a huge impact on me. I’m a lover of classic Hollywood as well; directors like Hitchcock, and Fritz Lang.
What excites you most about working with Netflix, and what that means for the future of Saudi cinema?
Working with Netflix has been refreshing and exciting. Netflix has enabled me to bring my A-game more and has encouraged me to create this movie and to bring the best out of my abilities. Not only this, but also giving me a platform for my work to be amplified and spread for the world to see and being available on such an iconic and international platform such as Netflix. I feel grateful and content with this opportunity and working with Netflix has been both easy and exciting. As for the film industry in Saudi Arabia, of course, it’s completely different than the way it was before. There’s way more opportunities to grasp and there’s way more genres and movies to work on, to bring to the Saudi community and to the Saudi people. This is just the beginning and we have a lot of work to do in telling Saudi stories on an international level.
Watch the film here.