The 12th Saudi Film Festival (SFF) opened at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran with the charming documentary "King of the Shoulders," which had audiences laughing out loud. The film explores the Hasawi bisht, a formal garment usually made of dark-colored wool with decorative gold and silver accents, worn by Saudi men over their crisp white thobes during celebrations.
Filmed in the Heart of Bisht World
The documentary was filmed in Al-Ahsa, in the Eastern Province, which has been home to the best bisht tailors for over 200 years. Since the 1940s, Al-Ahsa has led production in neighboring Gulf countries due to its exquisite craftsmanship and superior skill. This year's SFF theme is "Cinema of the Journey," and the documentary meets the prompt by taking viewers through the power of threads; every stitch is a story.
The bisht is not merely a fashion garment but a strong symbol of national identity. Selected to set the stage for the festival as the opening film, it is also one of the entries in the Documentary Film Competition, with the winner to be announced at the SFF finale on July 2.
A Male-Centric Craft Passed Down Generations
While a bisht is visually recognizable — Saudi kings wear it, as well as grooms on their wedding day and graduates at their ceremonies — the community surrounding it is tight-knit, the garment being mostly passed down from grandfather to father to son. It is primarily a male-centric craft and worn by men. Some families in Al-Ahsa have dedicated their entire lives to it, and viewers meet some of them in the documentary.
The title itself was inspired by the intricate poetry of celebrated Hasawi wordsmith Jassim Al-Suhayih. Crafted by Diriyah-based DNA Studio with support from Ithra and the Cultural Development Fund, the 32-minute documentary marks the debut for director Maram Al-Khaldi, a testament to Ithra's commitment to elevating strong emerging local voices.
Intimate Look at the Process
Filmed in domestic settings within Al-Ahsa and at their local market, the documentary gives an intimate look at the process. It is not necessarily a "how it is made" type of documentary, but "why is it made." It also weaves in the super specific Hasawi humor in an endearing way. Traditionally, the bisht has two slots for sleeves but is to be worn with only one arm through the sleeve and the other wrapped loosely and tucked into the side.
According to the review by Jasmine Bager, "This piece of fabric holds history in its hands — or as the title aptly states — on its shoulders. It is a really well-made documentary and one that wears its heart on its sleeve."
