Review of Wadjda (2012) by Mikael K — 24 May 2014

Saudi Arabia is one of the newest countries to produce cinema- movies are technically illegal there- with "Wadjda" being the first film shot entirely in the country. It's also the first Saudi film written and directed by a woman, and it is indeed interesting to see a country that has legally the least equality between the sexes in the world through a movie that is completely female. All the protagonists and antagonists are women, the world presented their rich, hidden one, existing behind veils and closed doors.

The story is about Wadjda (terrific Waad Mohammed), a ten year old girl with a will of her own. She is close with her mother, works to succeed in school and is indeed among the smartest in her class. What she wants the most is her own bicycle with which to race and win Abeer, a boy she befriends. Wadjda decides to get money for her own bicycle by winning the school Qur'an-reading competition. Of course, girls aren't supposed to ride bikes. And soon Wadjda will be of age when she will no longer be able to spend time unsupervised or unveiled, let alone to have any contact with Abeer. Wadjda chooses to ignore what adults tell her, evading her assigned place, but her restrained future is constantly looming in every scene.

The main antagonist of the film is the head teacher in Wadjda's school for girls. Young, intelligent and successful, she has climbed to the top of the hierarchy for women, which of course isn't saying much. "Wadjda" is about women under the oppression of patriarchy, but even that patriarchy is represented by the relatively successful women who aggressively uphold it. As a balance we get to observe everyday life in Wadjda's home where her mother tries her best to encourage her daughter. Clashes with the norms are inevidablen even there, but the family relationship is more open, warm and accepting.

The front running premise alone makes "Wadjda" an interesting, even by default important film, but it is actually quite good just as a piece of cinema. The story is subtle, the scenes everyday, but the drama is continuously engaging. There is clear competence in Haifaa Al Mansour, she directs and writes with talent, there is nothing uncertain in her approach. The work honed, beautifully shot, well acted and original. Combine all this with the fact that it's a glimpse into a world usually hidden from us, and you have intrigue enough to satisfy the viewer. And it's not just about getting a chance to marvel at life in Saudi Arabia, the film is an important piece of feminist cinema, period. The core ideas here are universal and relevant anywhere.

"Wadjda" is not historical only for it's subject matter, country and creator. It resulted in a law that allows even adult women to finally ride a bike in Saudi Arabia. In designated areas, with a male relative accompanying them and properly attired, of course. Small steps. Hopefully the beginning of many.