Wadjda

2013 • 97 minutes

About this movie

A story set in Saudi Arabia and focused on the experiences of a young girl who challenges her country's traditions.

Ratings and reviews

It is great to see a Saudi film feature strong female characters on top of having a female director, but this was nothing like what I expected. In the descriptions I read, it was about a young girl who challenged tradition. She learned to ride a bike. I will admit that I am no authority on the cultures behind Islam, but this film was not pro-female. It supported many of the hateful and backwards views on women that many Americans have come to believe about Islamic women. Wadjda's character was the funniest and probably the best child character I have seen in film recently. But this film in my opinion did not challenge any of the issues I expected it to. It took shots at lesbians, it reinforced the importance of the burka, and showed a women barely phased by the abandonment of her husband. It did nothing but reinforce misogony within Saudi Arabian culture. I am not only horrified by its prevelance but saddened for the lack of value that it portrays women with. I would have liked to seen the mother questioning the traditional values of women in the Muslim culture. I just have so many mixed emotions about this film. I do recommend this film because it has a great story.

Wadja is one of the most decent Saudi films I have ever seen since most of the current Saudi works are really bad with those actress whose their faces are full of make up. Moreover, Wadja is just a nice story with decent actors and it's professional work over all. I would recommend the film and it's worth it.

This was a great film. Wadjda's character is bold and fearless. She defys cultural norms and comes into her own. It subtley shows the struggles of being a girl in that type of society without being bias. Even across cultures this movie is relatable.