Australian Director Shoots Film Celebrating Saudi Arabia’s Anti-Drug Efforts

The Watchful Eyes, a real-life Saudi ministry of interior narcotics case, is being portrayed as a dramatic depiction of the

heroism of security men in combating drugs. The film, shot entirely in Saudi Arabia, will be released this year and is expected to deliver a compelling artistic experience that highlights the efforts of Saudi security forces in combating crime.

Phillip Noyce, a renowned director with decades-long experience, has been paid by the Saudi regime to make the feature film. He has been escorted around filming locations and prisons by Turki al-Sheikh, a royal adviser accused of human rights violations. Noyce accepted the job for the challenge of working outside his comfort zone and to investigate a previously closed society.

However, critics argue that the Saudi government is using its investments in entertainment to whitewash its human rights record. The regime aims to make the country a leading global production destination as part of Prince Mohammed's Vision 2030 plan for economic diversification.

The Watchful Eyes is a low-budget kidnapping thriller, described by Noyce as 'gritty and raw'. The film's release comes as the Saudi government continues to execute people for drug offences, with 243 people executed last year.

Critics say the film's narrative may play a role in covering up the reality of these executions and human rights abuses. The Saudi government's efforts to rebrand its image through culture and entertainment have been met with skepticism, with many viewing it as a flimsy attempt to disguise brutal abuses of human rights.

The film's production is backed by the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, which has invested heavily in the LIV Golf Tour. However, funding for the tour will cease at the end of the year due to the conflict in the Middle East.

The release of The Watchful Eyes raises questions about the ethics of making a film paid for by the Saudi regime and the impact it may have on the country's human rights record.