Saudi Arabia has now held the first public screening since the ban was lifted, playing possibly the most sinful production ever created by Hollywood: The Emoji Movie.
Last year, Saudi Arabia announced the 35-year ban on movie theatres was finally coming to an end, the latest social push by the country’s young Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Following The Emoji Movie screening, Sultan al-Otaibi commented on the location rather than the movie, telling Reuters: “It’s more comfortable, more fun to have a change of scenery and an activity on the weekend.
Saudi authorities hope there will be at least 300 cinemas with 2,000 screens in the country by 2030.