By Our Swords | ala had suyufna

In celebration of Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day, Merak in collaboration with the Saudi Heritage Commission created a cinematic musical piece that reimagines history through the timeless symbol of the founders’ swords.
Rather than presenting heritage as static, the film brought the swords to life as narrators of the nation’s story — from the birth of Diriyah, through the struggles of restoration, to the unification led by King Abdulaziz. Each sword reflects a founding moment: courage, sacrifice, defense, and prosperity.
The creative centerpiece is an original song written in Nabati-inspired poetry, fusing traditional rhythms with contemporary cinematic composition. This choice gave the project a dual soul: rooted in local authenticity, yet resonant with modern audiences.
Visually, the film employed “reflections of the swords” as a storytelling device. Historical landmarks — Qasr Salwa, Qasr Imam Turki, Al-Masmak Fortress, and others — appear as shimmering reflections across the polished steel. This innovative technique transformed objects of war into mirrors of cultural memory.
By uniting three swords into a single symbolic blade at the finale, the film leaves audiences with a powerful message: our heritage is not fragmented, but one continuous story of resilience and unity.