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Al Majalla’s Film Watch

Al Majalla’s Film Watch newspress_en Sat, 08/29/2026 - 05:10 Culture & Social Affairs Every month, Al Majalla grabs the popcorn and settles back to watch a selection of the latest films (and occasionally a golden oldie) before offering an assessment. In this, we cover new releases in Arab cinema and beyond. Marjouj Writer and director: Mishal Al Thubaiti Country of production: Saudi Arabia Toward…

Al Majalla's Film Watch is a monthly newspress that offers a selection of the latest films, occasionally including classic movies, before presenting an evaluation. This segment focuses on the documentary Marjouj, directed and edited by Mishal Al Thubaiti, which won the Jury Prize in the documentary competition at the most recent Saudi Film Festival.

The film follows Marjouj Hazazi, also known as Turki Al Sufyani, a young Saudi man who gained notoriety for his hacking exploits, becoming one of the Arab world's most recognized cybercriminals. Hazazi began hacking government systems and university databases, such as Taif University, to expose vulnerabilities and advocate for better utilization of young tech talent.

Marjouj presents a blend of factual narration and dramatized reconstructions, examining legal and ethical debates surrounding Hazazi's actions. The film also delves into Hazazi's personal journey, from his early days before fame to his eventual retreat from the public spotlight, painting him as a modern-day Robin Hood who challenges the digital divide between those who control the technology and those who are passive consumers.

Written by urgent.news from Al Majalla English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

Read the original at en.majalla.com →

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