Wadjda (2012)
The first ever film to be shot entirely in Saudi Arabia, with everything filmed on location in the capital Riyadh. It was the directorial debut of Writer/director Haifaa Al-Mansour, who also became the first Saudi woman to ever direct a feature-length film. It was released 6 years before the 35-year old ban on public cinemas in the country, meaning that it wasn’t actually able to run anywhere in the country itself.
The plot centers around a girl trying to win money from a Quran competition so that she can buy herself a bike (which is frowned upon), but makes mention of other issues effecting women as well. Haram relationships, homosexuality, child marriage, second wifes, dependence on drivers before the ban on women driving was lifted etc. All in the background, no greater statement on them. That isn’t a criticism. I’ve grown up in Saudi pretty much all my life, and thats sort of just what life is like. You are beholden to the system, to what rules are currently in place, and to those who hold power over instating them. In the film, there is no moment of greater transgression against anything, because there isnt an opportunity one in life either.
The bike plot itself is also deeply relatable. I was one of the few girls in my neighborhood allowed to ride a bike, so many girls would often borrow it in secret. I remember one time when a group of young boys were chasing after me and a couple of girls on me and my sister’s bike, shouting haram aleyk (it is forbidden for you) after us, and one girl stopped to turn around and told one of them “go burn your house down.” He said he'd tell her brothers and father about her riding around, and she became pale. We were between the ages of 10 and 13 when this happened.
I continued to ride my bike, and it became more normalized through the years. For young girls that is. When I turned 13, I was no longer allowed to ride it. My father banned me from it, saying it was shameful. They gave it away without my permission. And they didn’t care when I cried. I’m 23 now, and haven’t been on a bike since. I havnet beel able to. But Inshallah, in January I'm leaving this place. I'm going back to my home country. I'm getting a job, and I'm saving up to buy a green bike. Just like Wadjda did.
