Review of Wadjda (2012) by Abd Al Rahman A — 21 Feb 2014
Wadjda absolutely looks and feels like a freshman feature film. The story is very simple and there are no ground-breaking camera techniques or tricks here. The acting is all adequate but it is apparent nobody onscreen has spent much time in front of a camera before.
The subtitles even feel lacking at times. But ... this can be mostly forgiven as Wadjda is one of the most important films made in recent years! This is the first film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia but what is even more noteworthy is that the writer and director of Wadjda is Haifaa Al-Mansour, a woman! Al-Mansour's film stars mostly woman, and the film's title character is a young girl who absorbs knowledge but -- more than anything -- wants to ride a bike although unfortunately in Saudi society, it is improper for a woman to ride a bicycle as it threatens her virtue.
Wadjda tells a simple story ... daring every step of the way. The film isn't polished and it is very rough around the edges but Wadjda steals your heart. If you feel nothing in the film's final moments, I wouldn't want to know you.
This review of Wadjda (2012) was written by Abd Al Rahman A on 21 Feb 2014.
Wadjda has generally received very positive reviews.
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