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.
S O C I E T A L P R E S S U R E S
In order to differentiate the story from other narratives that spoke of the same issue, I decided to examine the root of the conflict in the form of societal pressures of honor and reputation. The more I thought of the story, the more I realized that Khaled is essentially a victim of societal constructs of chauvinism in a patriarchal society himself. I feel that this has not been highlighted before with stories that deal with the issue of domestic abuse. I knew I had to bring this part of the story to the forefront, constantly going back to the hang-out session Khaled has with his friends as they constantly mock and emasculate him for allowing his wife to reveal her face. This is what pushes Khaled off the edge as he desperately wants to fulfill his role as “man of the house” by abusing the power bestowed upon him. Although violence is the extreme version of what happens in cases of domestic abuse, many women have confided that the control started with being asked to wear the Niqab.