Wadjda 2012

…where some dreams can still come true.Haifaa al-Mansour is from a town in the Saudi heartland, Al Zulfi. The town was the site of the Battle of Sabilla, in 1929, when Ibn Saud decisively crushed the forces of the Ikhwan. But it is the setting of Zulfi that I most remember, one of the loveliest in all Saudi Arabia, with the green oasis set against the mountains and the sands of the Al-Dahna, the strip of desert that connects the Nafud desert with the Rub Al-Khali. And I’d like to think that this beautiful setting inspired Ms. Al-Mansour to become Saudi Arabia’s first and most prominent female film director.“Wadjda” is her first feature length movie, released in 2013. It involves the straightforward aspirations of a 10-year old girl: if boys can ride and own bikes, then, why can’t I? Most places in the world this aspiration is readily fulfilled, but this is Saudi Arabia, where women (famously) cannot drive a car. And this is also a very real portion of Saudi Arabia not often featured in the media: the 10-year old girl, Wadjda, is from a lower middle-class family – hardly poor and deprived – but also where 800 SR (approximately $225), the purchase price for the bike, is not readily available.Men are deep in the background, playing supporting roles. The three principle characters are all women, with Wadjda being played by Waad Mohammed, her mother is played by Reem Abdullah, and the school principal, Ms. Hussa, played by Adh Kamel. In terms of “mobility,” it is important to realize that as recently as 2003, Saudi women were not allowed to appear in popular Saudi programs such as “Tash ma Tash.” They had to import Jordanian, Egyptian or Bahraini women for the female roles. Reem Abdullah is a Saudi, who commenced her career on “Tash ma Tash” in 2007. Adh Kamel is from Jeddah, the more liberal town in the Kingdom, and thus without the Nadji background, and was still able to play the evil school principal – the “enforcer” of morality – brilliantly. Kudos.The movie is filmed in Riyadh, a city whose population has grown at least 20 times in a single lifetime. But its “signature” skyscrapers, nor any other prominent feature, are ever shown. Rather, it is filmed in one of the endless non-descript neighborhoods in the suburban sprawl, where construction is still much in evidence. Aside from Wadjda’s central aspiration, other issues that are reflective of Saudi women’s concerns are included: will my husband take a second wife, particularly if I cannot produce a boy?; the hassles with drivers; should I take a job (like in a hospital) where I will have to interact with males that I am not related to?; youthful, arranged marriages; and lesbianism.Wadjda realizes that the only way she will be able to obtain the money for her bike is to join the Religious Club, participate in the Koran memorization contest, and win the top prize of 1000 SR. The movie makes it clear that at the beginning Wadjda knew very little about the Koran. In the finals, the evil school principal, whose heart may be softening a bit towards her “convert,” chose, ironically Verse 7 of the Sur’at al-Bakara for the recitation. “Great is the penalty they will incur…” in reference to those who falsely claim their allegiance to Allah. Al-Mansour also adds a nice touch by including the suggestion that the principal, Ms. Hussa might be less than pure herself, and even “getting a little on the side.” And the music is so well-done by Max Richter.The major problem I had with the film: where are all the cars?! Riyadh is one of the least bike-friendly cities on earth. I should know. I love to ride a bike. About two decades ago I, along with a small group of Western guys, would attempt bike rides early on Friday mornings, when the traffic is the least. That lasted about a month. We concluded it was simply too dangerous. Just too many “crazy drivers” out there. And that was not well-depicted in the film. Personally, I’d be on the side of squashing Wadjda’s aspiration, not because she is female, but because no one, male or female, for their safety, should be riding a bike in Riyadh!Still, “with a suspension of disbelief on the safety issue,” this is a great, 5-star, well-produced, Saudi film… and I would love a comment that would indicate I have not kept up with modern times, and there are now specially dedicated bike routes – well separated from motorized vehicles -that can be used in Riyadh, by both sexes!

If you read the blurb provided on IMDB for this movie, it's very simple and non-detailed. A Saudi girl wants a bike. Her mother and others say girls can't ride bikes. There's a variety of reasons for this, namely that it could hurt her virginity and then she'd never get married.But, oh my, there's so much more going on here. So much more. Through Wadjda, we see the lives of Saudi women, the superstitions, the lack of rights, the people with control issues.We see a woman abandoned because she can't "give" her husband a son. We see the control men exert over their wives (What does it matter how he prefers your hair when he's never around to see it?), even when they aren't around. And the school...how quick the adults are to assume the worst of young ladies, how fast to expel and destroy the lives of young, misunderstood women. Did I mention the girls aren't supposed to laugh or be heard by men? Nor are they permitted to have different shoes from everyone else.And that scene I mention there...has me docking a bike. There's a situation Wadjda witnesses. Actually, it's not a situation. Something is misunderstood and two girls' lives possibly ruined. Wadjda has a chance to speak in their favor and yet she doesn't do it, very unlike the Wadjda we come to know throughout the movie otherwise and I can only guess it was because she was either 1. tired of being picked up on the principal herself and wanted in the lady's good graces or 2. had to do with the contest for the money.And yet we never see Wadjda learn anything from this. There are no repercussions from her lying, no lesson.I'm not sure either if the Koran story line was intended or not, but I felt there was a side issue with Wadjda pretending to be a devout person with the Koran thing, when really, all she wanted was to win the money for a star. And yet, this really showed us how very easy it is to fool others, especially when they are seeing want they want to see.I thought this was a terrific movie. I'd love to know what becomes of Wadjda in the future. I hope her spirit does not get trampled. (Yes, I know this is fiction but when I watch a movie, it feels real to me, especially movies like this.)I think my favorite scene was when she added her name to the family tree. That moved me.

This is what cinema is all about - . humane, enjoyable and full of depth.Wonderful performances. A gem of world cinema that demands to be seen to better understand Saudi culture (first Saudi feature film). Made by a Saudi woman. Made me think about Samira Makhmalbaf, Tahmineh Milani etcTruly excellent picture quality on this Bluray.Excellent extras - Women without Shadows feature is a real bonus. Historical perspective on the position of women in Saudi society.Great Bluray release.

Independent, female-gaze, kids-on-film, coming-of-age comedy. The director's debut feature film, it's also the first feature shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and the first full-length film made by a female Saudi director. Absolutely precious.

We thoroughly enjoyed this film about the struggle for women’s rights in the Middle East, made by Yemen’s only female director. Seller supplied the DVD rapidly & at a good price, so would recommend seller too.

I first saw this film when it first came out and then only because it was scheduled on my shift. But I was so glad I saw it. Culture is a difficult subject to describe / understand but this film gives a genuine and non-judgemental insight into life in Saudi Arabia. The fact that the film has such a talented and endearing cast is a bonus. The young girl, who is the focus of the film, is very natural in her role, the co-stars are also well up to their task of creating a scenario that is both realistic and problematic in a country that is not keen on any sort of female empowerment. This is definitely a "feel-good factor" film, you will come out smiling, guaranteed. There are political aspects to the making of this film that have been well publicised but the finished result is both charming and endearing. Excellent.

A delightful film, made more interesting by its Saudi setting. It's suitable for children, but they would need some help in understanding the social setting: for example, second wives, the ban on women driving and the position of women in general. One is left with the impression that 10 year old girls are the same the world over.