The film 'Hobaal' stands out as one of the most notable cinematic works in recent Saudi history, marking a pivotal moment in the Saudi film industry. It premiered at the Red Sea International Film Festival before beginning its commercial run in cinemas and later on Netflix. Directed by Abdulaziz Al-Shalahi and written by Mufrej Al-Majfal, the film features prominent Saudi actors including Ibrahim Al-Hassawi, Mishal Al-Mutairi, and Mila Al-Zahrani, alongside young talents like Hamad Farhan and Amal Sami.

Set in the early 1990s during the Second Gulf War, 'Hobaal' unfolds in an isolated desert region of Saudi Arabia near the Kuwaiti border, where a Bedouin family lives under the strict authority of patriarch Liam (Ibrahim Al-Hassawi). He enforces severe isolation on his extended family, forbidding them from approaching urban areas and determining that exile is the inevitable fate for any family member who chooses to live in the city. This portrayal of family dynamics and authority raises questions about obedience and its consequences within the family structure.

As audiences witness the family's struggles for independence against strict patriarchal control, 'Hobaal' serves not only as a reflection of individual family experiences but also mirrors wider societal themes in Saudi Arabia. The film prompts viewers to consider the implications of isolation and the tension between tradition and modernity amidst significant historical events, ultimately contributing to the discourse on Saudi identity and cultural representation in cinema.