Dakota Johnson Says Saudi Arabia Has “Renewed” Her Faith in Cinema

Dakota Johnson has spoken highly of Saudi Arabia’s film industry, saying her recent visit to the country has “renewed” her faith in cinema. The Materialists actress attended the Red Sea International Film Festival, which highlights new storytelling and showcases emerging talent from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, and beyond.

At the festival, Johnson said she felt inspired by what she saw. “The thing I feel about this festival is inspired. I feel inspired to operate this way in our own production company in the States; I want to support all these filmmakers,” she said.

She added, “There’s so much I’m learning from being here,” and reflected on the difference between the energy in Saudi Arabia and the filmmaking scene in the United States. “In the States it feels really grim; and even in the less than 24 hours that I’ve been here [in Saudi Arabia], I have a renewed faith in cinema.”

Saudi Arabia reopened cinemas in 2017 after a 35-year ban, opening the door for local filmmakers and international projects. Johnson has also criticized Hollywood in the past, calling it “boring” and “bleak.”

She said decision-makers in the U.S. industry are often too cautious. “People are just so afraid, and I’m like, ‘Why? What’s going to happen if you do something brave?’ It just feels like nobody knows what to do, and everyone’s afraid. That’s what it feels like. Everyone who makes decisions is afraid. They want to do the safe thing, and the safe thing is really boring,” she said last year.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!