P R E M I S E
Saudi Arabia is undergoing major socio-economic reforms at the moment in the form of the Vision 2030 initiative; an attempt to “eradicate extremist views” as well as to end its dependency on oil, according to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Women have recently been granted many rights they have not had previously such as legally being able to drive. Although this is a positive step forward for the country, the male-guardianship system still exists, where men have absolute authority over the women of their family, and with their consent only, are women allowed to travel and work. While some families do not abide by this social construct, many men do abuse the power legally bestowed upon them, controlling the women of their family’s every move.
M O H A M M E D H A M M A D
W R I T E R / D I R E C T O R / P R O D U C E R / E D I T O R
Mohammed comes from a diverse cultural upbringing. Originally from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, he grew up in London and Paris which fostered his natural inclination towards the fine arts. Mohammed has a background in painting and music production, however, after being introduced to the world of filmmaking, he realized that he can combine his love for the visual and sonic arts in the form of storytelling.
In 2006, Mohammed began his film and TV production career in Dubai as MTV Arabia’s first VJ. Since then, he has worked with reputable production houses and media outlets in the region such as National Geographic, MBC, and DMI.
After having collaborated with prominent Saudi philanthropist and public figure Ahmad Al Shugairi on several projects, Mohammed naturally shifted his main focus of work to socially-conscious driven content. His most recent works examines topics of social injustice, as well as deconstructing the psychological impact of societal codes of behavior on the human condition.
Mohammed currently resides in NYC and frequents Saudi Arabia on film production commissions.
M O H A M M E D H A M M A D
W R I T E R / D I R E C T O R / P R O D U C E R / E D I T O R
Mohammed comes from a diverse cultural upbringing. Originally from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, he grew up in London and Paris which fostered his natural inclination towards the fine arts. Mohammed has a background in painting and music production, however, after being introduced to the world of filmmaking, he realized that he can combine his love for the visual and sonic arts in the form of storytelling.
In 2006, Mohammed began his film and TV production career in Dubai as MTV Arabia’s first VJ. Since then, he has worked with reputable production houses and media outlets in the region such as National Geographic, MBC, and DMI.
After having collaborated with prominent Saudi philanthropist and public figure Ahmad Al Shugairi on several projects, Mohammed naturally shifted his main focus of work to socially-conscious driven content. His most recent works examines topics of social injustice, as well as deconstructing the psychological impact of societal codes of behavior on the human condition.
Mohammed currently resides in NYC and frequents Saudi Arabia on film production commissions.
M O H A M M E D H A M M A D
W R I T E R / D I R E C T O R / P R O D U C E R / E D I T O R
Mohammed comes from a diverse cultural upbringing. Originally from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, he grew up in London and Paris which fostered his natural inclination towards the fine arts. Mohammed has a background in painting and music production, however, after being introduced to the world of filmmaking, he realized that he can combine his love for the visual and sonic arts in the form of storytelling.
In 2006, Mohammed began his film and TV production career in Dubai as MTV Arabia’s first VJ. Since then, he has worked with reputable production houses and media outlets in the region such as National Geographic, MBC, and DMI.
After having collaborated with prominent Saudi philanthropist and public figure Ahmad Al Shugairi on several projects, Mohammed naturally shifted his main focus of work to socially-conscious driven content. His most recent works examines topics of social injustice, as well as deconstructing the psychological impact of societal codes of behavior on the human condition.
Mohammed currently resides in NYC and frequents Saudi Arabia on film production commissions.
M O H A M M E D H A M M A D
W R I T E R / D I R E C T O R / P R O D U C E R / E D I T O R
Mohammed comes from a diverse cultural upbringing. Originally from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, he grew up in London and Paris which fostered his natural inclination towards the fine arts. Mohammed has a background in painting and music production, however, after being introduced to the world of filmmaking, he realized that he can combine his love for the visual and sonic arts in the form of storytelling.
In 2006, Mohammed began his film and TV production career in Dubai as MTV Arabia’s first VJ. Since then, he has worked with reputable production houses and media outlets in the region such as National Geographic, MBC, and DMI.
After having collaborated with prominent Saudi philanthropist and public figure Ahmad Al Shugairi on several projects, Mohammed naturally shifted his main focus of work to socially-conscious driven content. His most recent works examines topics of social injustice, as well as deconstructing the psychological impact of societal codes of behavior on the human condition.
Mohammed currently resides in NYC and frequents Saudi Arabia on film production commissions.
M O H A M M E D H A M M A D
W R I T E R / D I R E C T O R / P R O D U C E R / E D I T O R
Mohammed comes from a diverse cultural upbringing. Originally from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, he grew up in London and Paris which fostered his natural inclination towards the fine arts. Mohammed has a background in painting and music production, however, after being introduced to the world of filmmaking, he realized that he can combine his love for the visual and sonic arts in the form of storytelling.
In 2006, Mohammed began his film and TV production career in Dubai as MTV Arabia’s first VJ. Since then, he has worked with reputable production houses and media outlets in the region such as National Geographic, MBC, and DMI.
After having collaborated with prominent Saudi philanthropist and public figure Ahmad Al Shugairi on several projects, Mohammed naturally shifted his main focus of work to socially-conscious driven content. His most recent works examines topics of social injustice, as well as deconstructing the psychological impact of societal codes of behavior on the human condition.
Mohammed currently resides in NYC and frequents Saudi Arabia on film production commissions.
P I G E O N S
Jeddah is full of areas where flocks of pigeons conglomerate on bird feed left by generous pigeon feeders who ritually engage in satisfying their hunger. Especially on the corniche, the pigeons meet daily to feed, and you can see children joyously run through them watching them fly away at their feet. The pigeon scenes in the film are very much inspired by my own experience in finding solace in Saudi as an expatriate national coming back to his homeland.
Growing up in Europe, I would visit Saudi yearly, however, did not enjoy staying for long periods of time for various reasons, particularly not being able to enjoy basic freedoms I normally would be able to in the cities I grew up in. Over the past few years, I have been spending longer periods of time in Saudi, especially for work. One day I took a walk on the corniche and met a pigeon feeder for the first time at dawn. I walked passed him as I saw hundreds of pigeons gathering at his feet as he fed them. I almost let the moment pass me by, when he noticed my hesitation in walking away and called me over. We struck up a long movie-esque stereotypical “old man and his protege” conversation about life and all its glory for a good half hour.
Watching the pigeons and bonding with the old man was a moment that made me say to myself, “this place isn't so bad”. While he was telling me about his divorce, I selfishly couldn't help but think about how amazing it would be to film the pigeons flying in slow motion. The idea for the scene was engraved in my memory, waiting for the moment it would be incorporated into a film.
Once the idea for Precious started, I knew it was time to pull this scene out of the vault. I knew there couldn't be a more powerful image to bring the story full circle other than to see her play among the pigeons as a child and to see her revisit this area she used to play in as a woman who is forced to wear the Niqab.