DUBAI: Saudi actress Adwa Bader, who stars in feature film “Naga” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) received the Share Her Journey Fellowship and Award at the festival this year.
“Naga,” a satirical and fast-paced thriller by Saudi director Meshal Al-Jaser, revolves around the adventures of Sarah, portrayed by Bader. Sarah finds herself stranded in the desert and races against the clock to return home before a strict curfew imposed by her conservative father.
Expressing her gratitude for the award, Adwa Bader, who was also acknowledged as a Rising Star at TIFF 2023, took to Instagram to convey her appreciation.
She wrote, “I am incredibly grateful to the brilliant genius @meshalaljaser and the dedicated cast and crew of @nagathemovie. Without your support, this achievement wouldn’t have been possible. I extend my thanks to my unwavering support system that guided me through this journey. I am thankful to @tiff_net for selecting me as one of the #tiffrisingstars of 2023, and to our mentors throughout the program. I am also appreciative of receiving the #tiff23 TIFF Share her Journey Fellowship and Award.
Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to all the wonderful individuals I’ve met along this incredible journey. Thank you.”
In “Naga,” Sarah must adhere to her father’s strict curfew, initially set for a seemingly innocent shopping excursion. However, her true intention is to secretly rendezvous with Saad, a young suitor who has secured her an invitation to an underground desert party. The plot takes an unexpected turn, leaving Sarah stranded far from home.
As she navigates a series of encounters with conceited and eerie men, not to mention a menacing, rabid camel, Sarah embarks on a thrilling adventure through various facets of contemporary Saudi society, all while racing against the relentless passage of time.
“Naga” is the latest creation from filmmaker Meshal Al-Jaser, following his absurdist sci-fi film, “Arabian Alien.” In 2020, Al-Jaser’s film competed in the Best Short Film category at the Sundance Film Festival.
TIFF programmer Peter Kuplowsky had high praise for “Naga,” stating, “I am often searching for films that captivate audiences within the opening moments, and more than any other selection this year, ‘Naga’ astounded me with its gripping prologue. It masterfully establishes the story’s stakes, and as it unfolds, Meshal skilfully addresses numerous thought-provoking themes without compromising character development or momentum.”
