It\u2019s only a minute ago that comedians were criticized for attending the recent Riyadh Comedy festival in Saudi Arabia. Top among the critics was Human Rights Watch.<\/p>\n
Now Hollywood stars are lining up for the Red Sea Festival in Riyadh. Among them: Angelina Jolie, Paul Dano, Jude Law, Anthony Mackie and Ben Kingsley.<\/p>\n
Oscar winner Sean Baker, who just won his statue for \u201cAnora,\u201d will head up the jury.<\/p>\n
Rowan Athale\u2019s \u201cGiant,\u201d which tells the story of British-Yemeni boxing champion Prince Naseem \u2018Naz\u2019 Hamed, will be the opening night film. It features Pierce Brosnan and is produced by Sylvester Stallone.<\/p>\n
Will any of these stars get the same scrutiny as the comedians? I doubt it. Despite Saudi Arabia chopping American journalist Jamal Khashoggi into little pieces, stars go anywhere there\u2019s a freebie trip and a red carpet. <\/p>\n
The Red Sea Festival has been cleverly buying its way into Hollywood, investing in the Cannes Film Festival and other A list gatherings. No one will say no, not even Jolie, who claims to be a human rights activist.<\/p>\n
The Hollywood trades are also happy to promote the Red Sea Festival because there\u2019s ad money involved they won\u2019t turn down.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been writing about the Red Sea Festival for a few years now, but Saudi Arabia\u2019s record of human rights violations hasn\u2019t stopped anyone from getting on the plane or doing business with them. <\/p>\n
Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardem Sign on to Executive Produce Jordan\u2019s Pro-Palestinian Oscar Entry Film Funded by the Saudis<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n