A New Day in Old Sana'a

Watch A New Day in Old Sana'a

"One man must choose marriage and tradition...or true love and the unknown."
  • NR
  • 2005
  • 1 hr 26 min
  • 6.1  (195)

A New Day in Old Sana'a is a romance drama film from 2005, directed by Bader Ben Hirsi, and stars Nabil Saber, Dania Hammoud, and Paolo Romano. The movie is set in the old city of Sana'a, Yemen, and tells the story of a wealthy young man named Tariq, who falls in love with a beautiful woman named Bilquis, from a lower economic class.

The film's opening scene begins with the morning call to prayer in the ancient city of Sana'a. We are then introduced to Tariq, a successful young man who is working on restoring an old palace in the city, which he hopes to turn into a hotel. While touring the city, he spontaneously meets Bilquis, a beautiful and independent woman, who is selling bread in a local market.

Tariq is immediately drawn to Bilquis, and the two share an instant connection. However, Bilquis is from a lower social class than Tariq and has been arranged to be married to a local merchant, Omar. Despite this, Tariq continues to pursue her, and the two begin a secret romantic relationship.

As the film progresses, we see the challenges that Tariq and Bilquis face as they navigate their different social classes and competing interests. Tariq's father disapproves of their relationship and wants Tariq to marry into a wealthy family, while Bilquis is struggling to break free from a prearranged marriage that she does not want.

The film explores the theme of class divisions and social hierarchies in Yemeni society, and how these distinctions can often hinder love and personal happiness. Through the story of Tariq and Bilquis, the film sheds light on the struggles that many couples face in Yemen, where traditional customs and social expectations often conflict with personal desires.

The cinematography of the film is breathtaking, capturing the beauty and intricacy of the ancient city of Sana'a. The director does an excellent job of creating a visual contrast between Tariq's luxurious lifestyle and Bilquis' more modest living conditions, emphasizing the themes of social class and economic disparity.

The soundtrack of the film is also notable, featuring traditional Yemeni music and instrumentation, which adds to the authentic feel of the movie. The film's score is composed by Khaled Al Haddad and Ali Oulidi, and it perfectly captures the emotion and tone of each scene.

Overall, A New Day in Old Sana'a is a charming and heartfelt film that explores the complexities of love and social expectations in Yemeni society. The chemistry between the two lead actors, Nabil Saber and Dania Hammoud, is palpable, and the supporting cast does an excellent job of bringing the story to life. The cinematography, music, and direction are all top-notch, making this film an excellent representation of Yemeni cinema.

A New Day in Old Sana'a is a 2005 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.

Description
Where to Watch A New Day in Old Sana'a
A New Day in Old Sana'a is available to watch, stream, download and on demand at Amazon Prime. Some platforms allow you to rent A New Day in Old Sana'a for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2005
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 26 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.1  (195)