Saudi actress and artist Sarah Taibah is charting a new course in her creative journey, trading familiar roles for the terrifying unknown in the upcoming Emirati horror film, ‘Hoba’ (‘The Vile’).
A Creative Spirit Drawn to Challenge
For Sarah Taibah, a multi-talented Saudi writer, artist, and filmmaker, creativity is a driving force. She describes her career not as a lack of focus, but as a natural expression of her artistic identity. “I think I’ve always been a creative person,” Taibah explains. “So one of the major things, for me, is to do what I feel strongly about and whatever inspires me.”
Her path to acting began unexpectedly during her Master of Fine Arts studies in San Francisco. A friend’s request to star in a short film reignited a childhood passion for performance. The film’s success on the festival circuit cemented her love for the craft, leading her to pursue it professionally.
Venturing into Villainy and the Unknown
In ‘Hoba,’ directed by Emirati filmmaker Majid Al-Ansari, Taibah takes on her most challenging role yet. The film tells the story of Amani (Bdoor Mohammed), a devoted wife and mother whose life shatters when her husband brings home a second wife, Zahra, played by Taibah. As Zahra enters the home, a sinister, unseen force begins to torment the family.
Taibah was drawn to the project by the director’s vision and the opportunity to break from being typecast. “The character couldn’t be more different than me,” she says. Zahra is the film’s villain, a manipulative and frightening presence with a “toxic charm.” Taibah aspires for audiences to deeply despise the character, yet find themselves strangely captivated by her.
The Unique Demands of Horror
Stepping into the horror genre required a different approach for the actress. The film is a claustrophobic psychological thriller, with nearly the entire story unfolding within a single, confined location. “It was less character work than I do with other genres,” Taibah notes. “It was more about, ‘We are here, we are here now. We don’t know.’” This setting, she explains, forces the characters and the audience to confront their deepest psychological fears head-on.
A New Wave for Arab Cinema
‘Hoba’ is part of a growing movement in Middle Eastern cinema that is exploring genres beyond traditional dramas and comedies. Having previously contributed to the fantasy film ‘Hwjn’ as a writer, Taibah is excited to be at the forefront of this shift.
“It’s time to play with horror, magical realism, and fantasy,” she states. “I feel like it’s such a blank canvas, and audiences are really hungry to see more from the region. Entering a cinema is not just about relatability, what’s true and realistic; it’s a place where you escape real life into this magical world.”
She trusts that Al-Ansari, with his knowledge and taste for international horror, is the right director to helm such an ambitious project.
While Taibah has yet to see the final cut of ‘Hoba,’ she believes audiences are in for a complete cinematic experience. “It’s a horror film, and we don’t have many of these,” she says. “And also, it has really good cinematography. Good director, good cast.” The film promises to be a chilling addition to the region’s evolving film landscape when it releases at the end of October.
