{
  "id": 12679563,
  "title": "‘A Matter of Life and Death’ is Saudi's pick for the Oscars",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/a-matter-of-life-and-death-is-saudis-pick-for-the-oscars",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T17:23:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/a-matter-of-life-and-death-is-saudis-pick-for-the-oscars-1.500702257"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Saudi Film Commission has selected the film A Matter of Life and Death to represent Saudi Arabia at the 99th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The decision came after a thorough review by the Saudi Oscar Selection Committee, comprised of prominent filmmakers and industry experts. The film, set in Jeddah, follows Hayat, who fears an inherited curse will claim her life at age 30, and Yousef, a heart surgeon with a medical condition. As their paths cross, they grapple with themes of life, death, love, and fate. Directed by Anas Ba-Tahaf and written by Sarah Taibah, the movie features Yagoub Alfarhan and Sarah Taibah, alongside other emerging and well-known Saudi actors. The film adheres to the Academy's eligibility requirements for the Best International Feature Film category, undergoing several evaluation stages before reaching the shortlist and final nominees. The winners will be announced during the Academy Awards ceremony in March 2027.",
  "summary": "The Saudi Film Commission has announced that the feature film A Matter of Life and Death will officially represent Saudi Arabia at the 99th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category, following a careful review of a number of Saudi films under the supervision of the Saudi Oscar Selection Committee, reported SPA. The committee brings together leading Saudi filmmakers and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}