Champions (Arabic: أبطال) is a 2021 Saudi Arabian-Spanish sports comedy film written and directed by Manuel Calvo.[1] It is an Arabic-language remake of the 2018 Spanish film of the same name.[2] Starring Yassir Al Saggaf and Fatima Al Banawi.[3]

Champions
Theatrical release poster
Directed byManuel Calvo
Written byManuel Calvo
Produced by
  • Andrés Vicente Gómez
  • Marco Gómez
  • Stuart Sutherland
StarringYassir Al Saggaf
Fatima Al Banawi
CinematographyJosep M. Civit
Edited byPablo Blanco
Music byAmer Tashkandi
Production
companies
  • Al Maha Al Arabi
  • Al Maha Films
  • Arabian Horses
  • Creative Media Solutions
Release dates
  • December 10, 2021 (2021-12-10) (RSFF)
  • March 10, 2022 (2022-03-10) (Saudi Arabia)
Running time
93 minutes
CountriesSaudi Arabia
LanguageArabic

Synopsis

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After losing a match, Khaled is summoned to a disciplinary court. The sentence comes down and Khaled is forced into unexpected community service: banished from his prestigious job, he must now train a team of amateur players with disabilities. A task he despises, before opening his eyes to these players who are often discriminated against because of their disability.[4]

Cast

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  • Yassir Al Saggaf as Khaled
  • Fatima AlBanawi as Nada
  • Khalid Alharbi as Nasser
  • Walid Baeshin as The father
  • Maya Bakhsh
  • Khairia Nazmi

Production

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Principal photography started at the end of February 2020 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with plans to shoot for 7 weeks there and then in Dubai,[5][6] but could not finish filming due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.[7] The last scenes had to be filmed a year later, at the expense of the lifting of restrictions in the country.[7]

Release

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It had its world premiere on December 10, 2021, at the Red Sea International Film Festival.[8] It was released commercially on March 10, 2022, in Saudi Arabian theaters.[9][10]

References

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  1. ^ Fuente, Anna Marie de la (2020-06-22). "Spanish Blockbuster 'Champions' Remake in Saudi Arabia Sparks Deals with Latido, Vox, Shahid (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  2. ^ Staff Reporter (2020-02-24). "Saudi production house to produce 'Champions' film with UAE counterpart". BroadcastPro ME. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  3. ^ "'CHAMPIONS' - The Movie Starts Filming in Saudi Arabia - Destination KSA". 2020-02-24. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  4. ^ ""Champions", the Saudi film in support of disabilities". KAWA. 2022-02-28. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  5. ^ Bedirian, Razmig (2020-02-24). "'Champions': Film about Saudi Arabian footballers of determination starts shooting in Jeddah". The National. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  6. ^ "Feature film 'Champions' begins shooting in Jeddah". Arab News. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  7. ^ a b Carrión, Francisco (2022-01-23). "En el rodaje del 'Campeones' saudí". El Independiente (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  8. ^ "2021 Films – Page 7 – Red Sea Film". redseafilmfest.com. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  9. ^ Badih, Samia (2022-02-25). "Saudi film 'Champions' set to be released in March". The National. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  10. ^ "Saudi film 'Champions' to be released in March". Arab News. 2022-02-26. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
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