Ibrahim Alhajjaj is a rather popular Saudi Arabian actor, whose credits include for Rashash (2021), Six Windows in the Desert (2020) and No Escape (2019). His last work, “Sattar” finds him in a role of Saad, a man who is trying to become a professional wrestler, with the help of Ali Hogan, a rather unusual coach.
“Sattar” had its world premiere at Red Sea International Film Festival, and we talked with Alhajjaj about wrestling and his training for the movie, his cooperation with the director and co-protagonist, how the life for an actor in Saudi Arabia is and many other topics.
Sattar is screened at Red Sea International Film Festival
Is wrestling big in Saudi Arabia?
Actually, yes. There are a lot of wrestling fans in Saudi Arabia. It started back in the 80s, maybe late 70s, when the Saudi TV channel started airing WWE matches, so there is a big audience which even includes people that are from 80 years old now until 40, fans from all the age ranges. I think, however, that “Sattar” is not just a wrestling movie, it is about a guy who wants to make his dream come true. And people see that dream as really weird, since wishing to become a wrestler is not exactly common in our society, so people look down on him.
Do you like the guy, would you hang out with him in real life?
I would actually hang out with Saad, because he is not just someone who likes wrestling, but also a cool guy. He is up to date, he knows what is happening in the media, he is a very modern personality, that is why I would hang out with him.
Before he succeeds, he has a big failure. Do you think that failing is an important part of life, that eventually leads to success?
Yes, you need to fall down to get back up, which is actually Mohammed Ali's comment. What is not ok is to fall down and stay there. I think that is Saad's motive, he kept falling down throughout his childhood and teenagehood, until he grew up and found this chance with Ali Hogan.
I also have a good story about how they convinced me to be in the story. This is my first feature film, I have been receiving a lot of scripts the past three years, but I kept turning them down because I believe that in cinema, especially in the box office, the first impression is the final impression. So when the producers of the film contacted me, it took them one hour to convince me to accept the role. They told me the story, they said I was going to play the wrestler, I took it as a new challenge, and I am really happy that I did it.
Didn't they mention money?
(laughter) Of course they did, actually the negotiation took an additional half an hour (laughter)
How was your cooperation with Abdullah Al-Arak?
I love him, he is a wonderful director, he knows how to deal with actors, how to put a good frame on, how to deal with people on set. He has all the good things that you can find in a director.
Does he allow improvisation or is he strict?
He does allow a certain limit; you know how actors always want to put their touch in the role. We are bratty, actors are bratty people. He did give me space, but he also cut it when it was not needed. It was lovely, it was like a good cup of coffee.
How was the training for the role?
I trained for two months for wrestling, it was… not fun (laughter). It was exhausting.
You got beaten up a lot?
Yes, I got beaten up and I am a big boy, I am 110 kg, so doing wrestling for my weight is something you need a lifetime of practice to do, and we squeezed that in two months and I hope people find my wrestling good now. I am a good fighter now. Let's go man, let's try it (laughter).
And how was your cooperation with Abdul Aziz Al Shehri?
He is a lovely actor. I have worked with him before in small sketches on TV level and YouTube. He is a very dear friend of mine, and Saad and Ali have this lovely chemistry, although they come from different backgrounds. They have totally different personalities but eventually find chemistry in the film and I hope people like it.
How is life for an actor in Saudi Arabia?
It is wonderful, the life of an actor in Saudi Arabia is blooming. Whenever I turn around there is chance, there is an entity supporting talent, someone offering you a part. I can summon all that by saying I bought a car, a house, and an apartment from being an actor in Saudi. And I have only been working for eight years only, so I think that sums it.
Will you continue as a wrestler or an actor?
As an actor, because it is less damaging to my body (laughter).
