Why You Need To Watch Maskoon, Saudi Director Lina Malaika’s Debut Film
Known for intertwining her cultural roots in her work, the avid filmmaker shares authentic perspectives, having co-directed the film with David Darg
Directed by Lina Malaika and David Darg, and produced by Carla Dibello, Maskoon, is the first thriller shot in an old historic district in Jeddah called Al-Balad. Excitingly, it is also the directorial debut of a first-time female Saudi director.
Malaika, who has a MA in filmmaking from the New York Film Academy in NYC, is considered to be a pioneer in the Saudi creative industry, best-known for intertwining her cultural roots in her work to share her own authentic perspectives and stories.
Malaika is joined by Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning director, Cinematographer and film editor, David Darg. An Oxford graduate, Darg’s work can be viewed on popular streaming services including Netflix, Hulu and Amazon. After working for the BBC, National Geographic, founding Ryot films in LA, which was acquired in 2016, Darg is now the Co-Founder of Arabia+, a Dubai-based production company and streaming platform.
Filming alongside American actress Paris Verra, is also Saudi female actress Summer Shesha.
Producer of the film and founder of Arabia+, Carla Dibello, is also a woman –proving Maskoon to be a project showcasing female talent and empowerment.
The psychological thriller centers around an American archeologist working at an excavation site in Al-Balad, Jeddah. A series of sinister events begin to unfold after the discovery of an ancient box and an encounter with an antique dealer however the real terror is what she is experiencing in her own mind.
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/@linamalaika