RIYADH — TaleFlick, a prominent platform for curating global stories, is now focusing on Saudi Arabian poetry. This initiative aims to connect Saudi literary heritage with Hollywood, following Saudi Arabia’s designation of 2023 as the “Year of Arabic Poetry.”
Uri Singer, Hollywood producer and CEO of TaleFlick, spoke to Arab News about the project. “We are open to poems from around the world, but our focus is initially on Saudi poetry because it is largely unexplored in Hollywood. As a producer, intellectual property is crucial,” Singer explained.
Singer believes that Saudi poetry offers fresh and untapped potential for storytelling. “There is a significant opportunity here. We want to bring these stories to a wider audience and showcase the rich cultural tapestry of Saudi Arabia,” he said.
TaleFlick, which began accepting Arabic content last year, is now expanding to include poetry. The platform aims to honor and elevate this art form by transforming poems into visual narratives for film and television. Poems submitted will be curated and presented to a global network of studios and producers for potential adaptation.
Submissions are currently free of charge and not limited by the platform’s membership options, which range from $99 to $499.
Singer, known for producing the film “White Noise” (2022), has visited Saudi Arabia multiple times for the Red Sea International Film Festival. He was struck by the widespread practice of poetry in Saudi society. “Almost everyone I met writes poetry, which I haven’t seen anywhere else,” Singer remarked.
He noted that Saudi youth often use poetry for communication, a practice that is uncommon in Hollywood. Despite some local reality TV shows like the UAE’s “Million’s Poet,” which may not appeal to Western audiences, TaleFlick plans to feature poetry in its upcoming reality series, “House of Poetry.” The show, inspired by formats like “Big Brother,” will involve contestants writing poetry in various settings.
Poets can submit their work in Arabic or other languages. TaleFlick’s network will handle translation and adaptation to ensure accuracy and international appeal. The platform aims to preserve the authenticity of local stories while collaborating with poets to maintain the integrity of their work.
Singer emphasized the importance of maintaining creative control for the original poets. “At TaleFlick and my production company, Passage, we collaborate closely with creators. We aim to stay true to their vision, even if adaptations deviate from the original work,” he said.
Saudi Arabia’s film industry has seen significant growth since the re-opening of cinemas in 2018 and the establishment of the Film Commission. The country now hosts major Hollywood premieres and has a thriving film scene. Singer believes this is a prime opportunity to introduce Saudi poetry to a broader audience. “Saudi Arabia has a vibrant new cinema-going audience. We need to find compelling stories that reflect its rich culture,” he concluded.