In 2018, Saudi Arabia removed its religious ban on cinema and revealed its intentions to transform itself from an oil-based economy into an entertainment powerhouse. The goal was to use the country’s wealth to not only invest in media companies, but to lure studios to the kingdom through a combination of tax incentives and state-of-the art facilities, while developing its own national film business. Eight years later, however, Saudi Arabia’s moviemaking ambitions have yet to materialize, stunted by regional turmoil and a failure to recognize what audiences want. This year, the kingdom suffered an international embarrassment after “Desert Warrior,” an $150 million tentpole starring Anthony Mackie and touted by broadcaster MBC – that bankrolled it – as Saudi’s ticket to break out on the movie world map, flopped spectacularly. “Desert Warrior” recently wound up grossing a mere $700,000 in the U.S. and across the Arab world during the two weeks following its April 23 release.…