Cultural Exchange?

The Saudi Arab News reports on a cultural exchange with the Irish Embassy. They note that at an exchange where an Irish film was aired to a large Saudi audience:

These festivals attempt to educate Saudis about different cultures and promote exchanges between Saudi Arabia and European countries. The film was screened on a moonlit veranda, and attendees enjoyed the film as well as the nice breeze that filled the open space. “Waking Ned” introduces Saudis to two best friends, Jackie O’Shea, played by Ian Bannen, and Michael O’Sullivan, played by David Kelly, as they chance upon someone in their village who has won the lottery and they want in on the cash. When the lottery winner dies from shock, the entire village rounds up to convince an inspector that O’Sullivan is the deceased to split the reward. “We chose this movie, as opposed to last year’s horror film because we wanted to break routine. Everyone’s joining us after a long day at work and they just want to relax,” the office manager at the consulate, Rodaina Harb, told Arab News. “We wanted to display Irish culture, it’s beautiful music, the simplicity of their life, and to distinguish it, as most Saudis believe it to be a part of Britain, when it’s its own country. in fact,” she added. Fatima Mazin, a female in attendance told Arab News: “I thought the movie was hilarious, and the fact that the people put their wits together to fool someone and get that much money was very amusing.”

Now this is a bit of a strange cultural presentation. Humor can be a powerful tool if used properly. On the other hand one thing I learned is that one should never open a talk with a joke. They always backfire. And a movie about a dead winner and a couple of con artists is hardly a way to present a country.