Wadjda (2012)

  'Wadjda' is a 2012 Saudi Arabian film directed by Haifaa Al-Mansou.

  After a small fight with a friend who's a boy named Abdullah, Wadjda saves up money to obtain a bike. A bike, which only men should ride. At school, she enters a 'recite the Qur'an' competition to try and win the prize money of SR 1,000, SR 200 more than the cost of the bike. Meanwhile her mother is attempting to get  back with her father. Will she win the competition?

  This film is historically significant, as it's Saudi Arabia's first feature length film, it's directed by a female Saudi-Arabian and the subject matter is controversial to say the least. If it were filmed in any other country (except maybe North Korea), the film would not be the slightest bit controversial, but this is a country where women have to wear hijabs in public, they aren't allowed to vote and can't even drive a car. Riding a bike is not illegal, but is improper and looked down upon. In the film, there isn't one specific enemy, instead it is society which prevents her from obtaining the bike. It's in no way anti-Saudi, and presents the country in a beautiful and respected way, while promoting women's rights without being offensive and radical.

  The film itself is a story of motivation and defiance, telling the viewer: 'Anything is possible if you put you try hard enough'. I found it better than the eerily similar 'Children of Heaven', but similar to all Middle Eastern movies it's about human rights or has something to say about society. What I like about 'Wadjda' is that, unlike 'The Stoning of Soraya M.' and 'Ten', it's not all doom and gloom. It's a happy lovely story, that's not only concerned about rights, but also on making a good film.

  There's a lot to like and the 16, four or five star reviews on the poster are well-deserved. Firstly, the leading performance by Waad Mohammed is one of the best child performances I have seen. All of the cast act with passion and charisma and is very well directed for a first time director. The use of colour is impressive, especially in the scene she sees the bicycle for the first time. The bicycle is green, the colour of knowledge, learning, growth and harmony. When she sees the bicycle she runs, following the van. As she does this, bright green trees gradually appear in the background, a colour which has not been present thus far in the film.

TO CONCLUDE
I seem to be more impressed with it's historical significance, than the film itself. Very impressive.

SCORE
74