Wadjda, directed by Haifaa Al Mansour, is a groundbreaking film and the first feature entirely shot in Saudi Arabia. It follows the story of a spirited 10-year-old girl in Riyadh who dreams of owning a green bicycle and defying cultural norms. The film took five years to complete due to numerous challenges, including Saudi Arabia's strict gender segregation laws. Al Mansour directed much of the movie from a van, using a monitor and walkie-talkie to communicate with her crew. Despite these difficulties, Wadjda not only highlights the struggles of Saudi women but also marks a historic milestone as the debut feature of Saudi Arabia's first female filmmaker. (1h 38m)
Directed by: Haifaa Al-Mansour
Produced by: Gerhard Meixner, Roman Paul
Guest Bio:
Haifaa Al Mansour is the first female filmmaker in Saudi Arabia. She studied comparative literature at the American University in Cairo. She recently completed a Master’s degree in Film Studies from the University of Sydney under the prestigious Endeavour Scholarship Award. She began her film directing career with three shorts, Who?, Bereavement of the Fledgling, and The Only Way Out, followed by her award-winning documentary Women Without Shadows. The success of her films around the world inspired a new movement of independent filmmaking in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She is famous for penetrating the wall of silence surrounding the lives of Saudi women and providing a platform for their unheard voices. Her work is dedicated to fostering change for Arab women. Her first feature film, Wadjda, was developed within the pilot screenwriters lab that inaugurated the collaboration between TorinoFilmLab and the Dubai International Film Festival in 2009.
