Movie of the Week: ‘Wadjda’

AHFW’s Movie of the Week is a thoughtful, groundbreaking drama out of Saudi Arabia about Wadjda (Waad Mohammed), a 12-year-old girl and her singular pursuit!

“Wadjda” (2012) – In Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to drive, and apparently, girls are not allowed to ride bikes.  Don’t tell that to Wadjda (Waad Mohammed).  This 12-year-old girl is happy to question – like a preteen-Gloria Steinem – societal laws and rules assigned to women and is determined to own and ride a bike.

Writer/director Haifaa Al-Mansour must be determined as well, because she is the first Saudi woman to direct a feature-length film!  Her highly refreshing movie does play some familiar beats, but the wonder of this unfamiliar land constantly raises our interest.  All the while, Al-Monsour’s picture offers hope, joy, life lessons, and the pursuit of a dream: riding a sparkling green bike, when everyone says that it cannot and should not be attempted.

Image credits: Koch Media; Trailer credits: JoBlo Movie Trailers

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