At 40 years old, Saify Muhammed is a washed-up confidence trickster who owes money to everyone, including his ex-wife. Now he finds himself trying his hand at blackmail. The year is 2000; and in his small dilapidated cassette shop, Saify has turned to selling recordings of banned Islamic sermons he mistakenly thinks will turn an illicit profit.
However, his fortunes seem set to change after he finds a tape containing a scandalous recording of the influential, local philanthropist Sheikh Asaad, and Saify’s latest scheme soon has him seeking cover with his ex-wife.
This tense, and sometimes darkly comedic thriller which premiered at Red Sea International Film Festival, offers sharp social commentary on a society governed by wealth and performative moral virtues.
Saify is presented in partnership with Telfaz.
Content Notice: This film contains themes of blackmail, religious and political corruption, and morally ambiguous behaviour.