Hong Kong icon Jackie Chan took to the stage last weekend to announce that he wants to shoot a movie in Saudi Arabia.
Joined by other film icons such as Shah Rukh Khan, Jason Momoa and Jean-Claude Van Damme. The 65-years-old star, visited the kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the first time as he was set to be honoured with the Joy Excellence award, in the kingdom’s Joy Entertainment Forum in Riyadh.
The “Rush Hour” actor took to the stage to thank the kingdom for their invitation, as he was handed the award by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Entertainment Authority.
“All those years, I made action comedy because I like to make joy and make people laugh but besides that we have a message (in the movie) and it’s about love, love your people, love your country, love the world and also bring the peace around the world,” he said.
He later revealed that after a few hours he has already found some places for action scenes, and his intention for returning back to the kingdom with his film crew.
“It’s my first time in Saudi, and I know it’s a big country. After only a few hours (travelling) here and looking at locations I know there’s a good place for car chasing, explosions, action; so, next time, I hope to come back with my crew,” the star added.
The 2-day festival was held in the luxurious Ritz-Carlton hotel, as the event was made in order to help development the kingdom’s entertainment sector, which they hope will allow them to become the leading movie and television hub of the region.
Moreover, the event was also part of the Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s modernisation efforts, which also had the long standing ban on cinema lifted just last year.
Source: South China Morning Post.
