‘Black Panther’ Screening Breaks Saudi Arabia’s 35-Year Cinema Ban

Marvel’s Black Panther continues to make history, becoming the first film to be publically screened in a movie theater in Saudi Arabia since the nation lifted a 35-year cinema ban.

On Wednesday night, Black Panther received a gala premiere in Riyadh at the first movie theater to open in Saudi Arabia since the nation lifted a 35-year ban on cinemas in December. Angela Bassett, who portrayed Ramonda, Queen Mother of Wakanda, was among those who recorded a video message in which she said that she was “thrilled, honored and excited to bring Black Panther to Saudi Arabia.”

Saudi film producer Mohammed Al Turki explained why AMC’s president Adam Aron selected Black Panther to lift the 35-year ban:

“He said it wasn’t just because it was so successful, but because the story of the film followed a prince who wanted the best for his kingdom, and it was something a lot of people here could relate to.”

You can check out an image from the screening below!

Another theater is set to open in central Riyadh next week.

“Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the events of “Captain America: Civil War,” returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King. However, when an old enemy reappears on the radar, T’Challa’s mettle as King and Black Panther is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the entire fate of Wakanda and the world at risk.

Directed by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke,  Florence Kasumba, Sterling K. Brown, Andy Serkis and John Kan. The film is now playing in theaters!

Source: The Hollywood Reporter