Beast House: Where music and musicians tune and vibe 

Special Beast House: Where music and musicians tune and vibe 
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Beast House has emerged as a dynamic creative hub — a space where musicians, producers, designers, and artists come together to collaborate, connect, and grow. (AN Photo/Loai Elkelawi)
Special Beast House: Where music and musicians tune and vibe 
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Among the local talents who have found a home at Beast House is Rayan Charani, a 17-year-old Lebanese producer and singer who was born and raised in Riyadh. (AN Photo/Loai Elkelawi)
Special Beast House: Where music and musicians tune and vibe 
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German DJ, producer, and label founder David Galla first encountered Beast House during a visit to Riyadh and was immediately struck by the atmosphere. (AN Photo/Loai Elkelawi)
Special Beast House: Where music and musicians tune and vibe 
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Beast House has emerged as a dynamic creative hub — a space where musicians, producers, designers, and artists come together to collaborate, connect, and grow. (AN Photo/Loai Elkelawi)
Special Beast House: Where music and musicians tune and vibe 
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Beast House has emerged as one of the Kingdom’s most dynamic creative hubs — a space where musicians, producers, designers, and artists come together to collaborate, connect, and grow.
Special Beast House: Where music and musicians tune and vibe 
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Beast House has emerged as a dynamic creative hub — a space where musicians, producers, designers, and artists come together to collaborate, connect, and grow. (AN Photo/Loai Elkelawi)
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Beast House: Where music and musicians tune and vibe 

Beast House: Where music and musicians tune and vibe 
  • Space provides a year-round platform for talent development, networking, and cultural exchange
  • Since the launch of Soundstorm in 2019, the Kingdom’s flagship music festival, the local industry has grown at a pace that demanded more permanent creative spaces

RIYADH: In the heart of Riyadh’s JAX District, Beast House has emerged as one of the Kingdom’s most dynamic creative hubs — a space where musicians, producers, designers, and artists come together to collaborate, connect, and grow.

Located in Diriyah’s J12, Beast House is more than just a music venue. It serves as a meeting point for Saudi and international talent, blending entertainment, culture, and community into one destination. 

Whether through workshops, live performances, or casual gatherings, the space provides a platform for creative expression that reflects the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving cultural scene.

German DJ, producer, and label founder David Galla first encountered Beast House during a visit to Riyadh and was immediately struck by the atmosphere.

“I visited in April, toured the studios, and knew instantly this was a place I wanted to be,” he said. “The team, the vibe, the creativity — it’s all very inspiring. has something special here, and the people are so welcoming.”

Among the local talents who have found a home at Beast House is Rayan Charani, a 17-year-old Lebanese producer and singer who was born and raised in Riyadh. 

Passionate about pop and electronic music, Charani said the community spirit is what makes the space unique.

“The equipment is great, but it’s really the people that make me want to come back,” he said. “There’s so much love here. It’s a place that inspires me every day.”

Charani’s journey with Beast House began after attending XP Music Futures, MDLBEAST’s annual conference.

Introduced to the venue through industry connections, he soon became part of its creative family. “Beast House showed me that music is not only about sound, but also about community,” he added.

Beyond its studios, Beast House also features a fine-dining restaurant and social spaces designed to foster interaction. 

Visitors can expect everything from intimate conversations over mocktails to exclusive performances, panel discussions, and workshops led by industry figures.

The venue is an extension of MDLBEAST’s mission to build a thriving music ecosystem in . 

Since the launch of Soundstorm in 2019, the Kingdom’s flagship music festival, the local industry has grown at a pace that demanded more permanent creative spaces. 

Beast House was created to meet that need — providing a year-round platform for talent development, networking, and cultural exchange.

During Arab News’ visit, it was clear that Beast House was not only a workspace but an experience in itself. 

The team has successfully created and curated an atmosphere where ambiance, decor, community, and people come together to offer something unique. 

Entry is not limited to members alone — visitors can also spend time working in the space, socializing, or simply enjoying its fine-dining offerings without accessing the studios.

Today, Beast House is seen as a symbol of the Kingdom’s cultural transformation, offering opportunities for the next generation of artists while also attracting global talent to Riyadh. It is not just a venue, but a statement of ’s ambition to cement its place on the world’s creative map. 


Saudi actress Fatima Al-Banawi’s ‘Basma’ to screen in Brazil

Saudi actress Fatima Al-Banawi’s ‘Basma’ to screen in Brazil
Updated 20 August 2025

Saudi actress Fatima Al-Banawi’s ‘Basma’ to screen in Brazil

Saudi actress Fatima Al-Banawi’s ‘Basma’ to screen in Brazil

DUBAI: Saudi actress Fatima Al-Banawi’s film “Basma” is set to screen in Brazil on Thursday.

Al-Banawi shared the announcement on Instagram, posting the official poster, which revealed that the film will screen in Sao Paulo at Estudio Lamina, a local cultural center.

Instagram/@fatimaalbanawi

“Basma,” which premiered on Netflix in June, marks Al-Banawi’s debut as a feature film director. She also wrote the screenplay, contributed an original song to the soundtrack, and stars in the lead role.

The film follows a young Saudi woman who returns to her hometown of Jeddah after two years studying in the US, only to discover that her parents have divorced without telling her.

The story explores her emotional reckoning with the past, including her father’s mental illness and the impact it had on the family. The role of her father, Dr. Adly, is played by Yasir Al-Sasi.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

As she reconnects with her family, Basma is distraught to learn that her beloved father has moved out — and worse, that most of the family are, at best, reluctant to visit him. Convinced that all he needs is the love and care of his loved ones, she decides to move in with him, defying the advice of her mother, Hind (Shaima), brother Waleed (Tared Sindi), and uncle Hamza (Mohammed Essam). But the reunion is far from smooth.

“The most important element was to create a believable, cohesive family. That was one of the main issues,” Al-Banawi previously told Arab News. “The second thing was that — although I recognize that a lot of amazing actors and actresses have (emerged in ) in the past couple of years — as a director, I wanted to see fresh faces. It’s beautiful to see these talents who weren’t given a chance before, or didn’t even see themselves taking this path. Honestly, this whole cast was a blessing.”

Al-Banawi first gained prominence for her role in the 2016 drama “Barakah Meets Barakah.” She also starred in the Egyptian Netflix series “Paranormal.”

In 2020, she directed her first short film, “Until We See Light.” That same year, she co-wrote, co-directed and starred in “Al-Shak,” a Shahid Original series, which she shot fully from home during the pandemic.


Actor Terence Stamp, star of Superman films, dies aged 87

Actor Terence Stamp, star of Superman films, dies aged 87
Updated 17 August 2025

Actor Terence Stamp, star of Superman films, dies aged 87

Actor Terence Stamp, star of Superman films, dies aged 87
  • Born in London’s East End in 1938, Stamp left school to work in advertising, eventually winning a drama school scholarship
  • He landed his most high-profile role as General Zod, the megalomaniacal leader of the Kryptonians, in ‘Superman’ in 1978

LONDON: Terence Stamp, who made his name as an actor in 1960s London and went on to play the arch-villain General Zod in the Hollywood hits “Superman” and “Superman II,” has died aged 87, his family said on Sunday.

The Oscar-nominated actor starred in films ranging from Pier Paolo Pasolini’s “Theorem” in 1968 and “A Season in Hell” in 1971 to “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” in 1994 in which he played a transgender woman.

The family said in a statement to Reuters that Stamp died on Sunday morning.

“He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come,” the family said. “We ask for privacy at this sad time.”

Born in London’s East End in 1938, the son of a tugboat stoker, he endured the bombing of the city during World War Two before leaving school to work initially in advertising, eventually winning a scholarship to go to drama school.

Famous for his good looks and impeccable dress sense, he formed one of Britain’s most glamorous couples with Julie Christie, with whom he starred in “Far From the Madding Crowd” in 1967. He also dated the model

Jean Shrimpton and was chosen as a muse by photographer David Bailey.

After failing to land the role of James Bond to succeed Sean Connery, he appeared in Italian films and worked with Federico Fellini in the late 1960s.

He dropped out of the limelight and studied yoga in India before landing his most high-profile role — as General Zod, the megalomaniacal leader of the Kryptonians, in “Superman” in 1978 and its sequel in 1980.

He went on to appear in a string of other films, including “Valkyrie” with Tom Cruise in 2008, “The Adjustment Bureau” with Matt Damon in 2011 and movies directed by Tim Burton.


‘Platonic’ season 2 — bigger laughs and deeper truths about friendship

‘Platonic’ season 2 — bigger laughs and deeper truths about friendship
Updated 15 August 2025

‘Platonic’ season 2 — bigger laughs and deeper truths about friendship

‘Platonic’ season 2 — bigger laughs and deeper truths about friendship

DUBAI: Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne are back in “Platonic,” and the first three episodes of season two prove that their non-romantic chemistry remains the show’s not-so-secret weapon. The pair’s easy banter and instinctive comic timing once again anchor a series that takes the madcap energy of season one and parlays it into a more nuanced, heartfelt exploration of adult friendship.

The sophomore season of the Apple TV+ series opens with a major update in Will’s (Rogen) life — an engagement to a woman Sylvia (Byrne) doesn’t have a connection with. It’s an awkward adjustment for both, as their once effortless dynamic is suddenly subject to the gravitational pull of a third party. The early episodes mine this setup for all its comic potential — from misguided attempts at bonding to not-so-subtle turf wars over who knows Will best, and a bachelor party that goes sideways quick. The jokes are bigger, the hijinks just as outrageous, but there’s an added undercurrent of mature self-awareness that keeps the series from depending on laughs alone.

Byrne’s Sylvia continues to be one of TV’s most relatable depictions of mid-life contradictions. She’s a housewife and mother, but still clinging to the “cool girl” identity she once wore so easily. Her adventures with Will allow her to sidestep the mundanity of domestic life, even if they occasionally leave her with more to clean up — figuratively and literally. Byrne plays her with the perfect mix of warmth, femininity and clownery. 

Rogen, meanwhile, tempers his trademark goofiness with shades of vulnerability. Will’s excitement over his engagement is genuine, but so is his anxiety over how it might change the friendship that’s been his emotional constant. His scenes with Byrne shimmer with an authenticity that makes their friendship feel lived-in, not manufactured for the camera.

Through it all, “Platonic” remains breezy, smart and devilishly funny. Season two doesn’t just retread the antics of its debut run — it builds on them, delivering sharper humor and a richer look at what it means to keep a friendship alive as life pulls you in different directions. If these first episodes are any indication, Rogen and Byrne’s love story — platonic though it is — might just be one of the best on TV.


After uproar, documentary on Hamas 2023 attack will screen at Toronto Film Festival

After uproar, documentary on Hamas 2023 attack will screen at Toronto Film Festival
Updated 15 August 2025

After uproar, documentary on Hamas 2023 attack will screen at Toronto Film Festival

After uproar, documentary on Hamas 2023 attack will screen at Toronto Film Festival
  • Earlier this week, TIFF withdrew its invitation to the film “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue,” citing legal clearance for footage used in the documentary
  • The film chronicles the story of retired Israeli Gen. Noam Tibon, whose efforts to save his family and others during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack was profiled in a “60 Minutes” segment

NEW YORK: The Toronto International Film Festival will screen a documentary on the 2023 Hamas attack, after all, following an uproar over the film’s disinvitation from the upcoming festival.
Earlier this week, TIFF withdrew its invitation to the film “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue.” The festival said the decision was based in part on legal clearance for footage used in the documentary. Deadline, which first reported the news, said a sticking point was the identification and legal clearance of Hamas militants’ own livestreaming of the attack.
On Thursday evening, TIFF chief executive Cameron Bailey and “The Road Between Us” filmmaker Barry Avrich issued a joint statement announcing the film’s selection.
“Both TIFF and the filmmakers have heard the pain and frustration expressed by the public and we want to address this together,” said Bailey and Avrich. “We have worked together to find a resolution to satisfy important safety, legal, and programming concerns.”
“In this case, TIFF’s communication around its requirements did not clearly articulate the concerns and roadblocks that arose and for that, we are sorry,” they continued.
The film chronicles the story of retired Israeli Gen. Noam Tibon, whose efforts to save his family and others during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack was profiled in a “60 Minutes” segment.
After being informed that the film wouldn’t screen at the festival, the “Road Between Us” filmmakers issued a statement claiming TIFF “censored its own programming by refusing the film.”
Bailey disputed that allegation, and pleaded that the situation demanded sensitivity.
“The events of October 7, 2023, and the ongoing suffering in Gaza weigh heavily on us, underscoring the urgent need for compassion amid rising antisemitism and Islamophobia,” Bailey said on Wednesday.
The Toronto International Film Festival, North America’s largest film festival, runs Sept. 4–14.


Incoming: Fantastic fall features 

Incoming: Fantastic fall features 
Updated 14 August 2025

Incoming: Fantastic fall features 

Incoming: Fantastic fall features 
  • Some of the biggest movies coming your way over the next few months 

‘Spinal Tap II: The End Continues’ 

Starring: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer 

Director: Rob Reiner 

In cinemas: Sept. 12 

The long-awaited sequel to one of the greatest comedy films of all time, and the original — if you will — mockumentary, sees Guest, McKean and Shearer reunited as the hapless heavy rockers who have decided to reunite after 15 years for one final show. There’s a hitch, naturally: they need a drummer — a tricky sell when so many who previously sat the stool for Tap have met untimely ends. Along for the ride, of course, is documentary maker Martin Di Bergi (Reiner) to ensure that the historic occasion is recorded for posterity.  

‘The Roses’   

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Coleman, Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon 

Director: Jay Roach 

In cinemas: Aug. 29 

This star-studded remake of the 1989 black-comedy movie “The War of the Roses” (itself based on Warren Adler’s 1981 novel) sees Coleman and Cumberbatch play Ivy and Theo Rose, an apparently idyllically married couple — he an architect, she a chef. But when Theo’s career trajectory starts to plummet just as Ivy’s starts to soar, the underlying tensions and competitiveness in their relationships begin to surface, with devastating and hilarious results. With some A-list comedy talent on the cast list, and Roach (the “Austin Powers” movies, “Meet the Parents”) at the helm, this might be that rare thing — a comedy movie that actually gets audiences into the cinema.  

‘One Battle After Another’ 

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall 

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson 

In cinemas: Sept. 25 

The latest feature from one of the most acclaimed writer-directors of his generation (although not hugely successful at the box office) is an action-thriller with a touch of satirical black humor thrown in. DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson, who was once a member of a revolutionary group called the French 75. Well over a decade since the group disbanded, their nemesis — white supremacist Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw (Penn) — resurfaces, and Ferguson must call on his former fellow activists to help him rescue his daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti), herself a budding revolutionary. Radiohead’s Johnny Greenwood is the film’s composer — his sixth collaboration with Anderson. 

‘After The Hunt’ 

Starring: Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri 

Director: Luca Guadagnino 

In cinemas: Oct. 10 

Italian director Guadagnino’s films — which included “Call Me By Your Name,” “Suspiria,” and “Challengers” — are rarely a disappointment, and this one brings some serious cross-generational star power to the big screen. Roberts plays Alma Olsson, an Ivy League professor whose close friend and colleague Hank Gibson (Garfield) is accused of assault by Olsson’s protégée Maggie Price (Edebiri — winner of an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her role as Syd in “The Bear”). In trying to deal with that situation, Olsson must face up to some long-buried secrets from her past. Even if none of the cast manage to bag an Oscar, then composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross probably have a good shout. 

‘Good Fortune’ 

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, Aziz Ansari 

Director: Aziz Ansari 

In cinemas: Oct. 17 

Ansari’s feature debut as director is a comedy about a low-ranking angel called Gabriel (Reeves) who comes down to Earth to try and show Arj (Ansari) that money can’t solve your problems by allowing him to swap places with his rich tech-bro employer Jeff (Rogen). It doesn’t quite go the way Gabriel expected, and he ends up having his wings taken off him and being banished to live among humans. Gabriel and the now-homeless Jeff move in together as all the work Gabriel did as an angel is undone. Keke Palmer and Sandra Oh also star.  

‘A House of Dynamite’ 

Starring: Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Gabriel Basso 

Director: Kathryn Bigelow 

On Netflix: Oct. 24 

Little has been revealed about Netflix’s upcoming thriller, but the stars and director alone are enough to build hype. Bigelow made history in 2009 when she became the first woman to win the Best Director Oscar (for “The Hurt Locker”) and “A House of Dynamite” will be her first feature since 2017’s “Detroit.” And with Elba and Ferguson heading the cast list, it’s a safe bet there’ll be some seriously strong performances in this tale told in real time about a group of White House officials frantically dealing with a missile attack on America.  

‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’ 

Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Stephen Graham, Jeremy Strong 

Director: Scott Cooper 

In cinemas: Oct. 24 

Timothée Chalamet has already wowed critics with his portrayal of Bob Dylan this year in “A Complete Unknown,” and now “The Bear” star Jeremy Allen White takes on Dylan’s closest contender for the title of greatest living US songwriter: Bruce Springsteen. Cooper’s biopic isn’t the tale of how Springsteen became a star — at the time the film begins he’s already a hit. Instead, it’s the story of the making of his stripped-back 1982 masterpiece “Nebraska,” recorded on a four-track in his bedroom at a time when he was struggling with his fame and the demons of his past. White has already received praise from The Boss himself, as has Graham as Springsteen’s domineering father.