Wadjda is an Arabic foreign language film based in Saudi Arabia.
It is about a ten year-old girl named Wadjda who works to overcome familial, cultural and religious rules in her everyday life.
The film does a great job showcasing life in Saudi Arabia in the shoes of a youthful girl.
Focusing on gender inequality and opportunity for women across the country.
Synopsis
Wadjda lives in a small, conservative town outside of the capital city of Riyadh. The majority of her days are spent like many others her age; she goes to school, hangs out with neighbourhood friends, loves to bike and watches television.
However, as fun-loving and adventurous as Wadjda is, this is frowned upon by the people in her town as well as her distant father.
In their eyes Wadjda should be more quiet and adhere to accepted religious and cultural customs. In an attempt to become more "normal", she tries to balance her life between the things she likes and the things she is expected to do.
Wadjda portrays just how hard it is to toe that line and how life is in Saudi Arabia isn't so different from some towns in North America. While also shedding light on differing cultural dynamics between the Saudi region on the West.
Important Themes
In the West, Saudi Arabia is often accused of being very oppressive when it comes to women's rights. With women not having the same opportunities that men have and having less of a worth in society as a whole. And it is easy to believe when currently Saudi Arabia is the only country worldwide that bans women from driving (at the time this piece is written).
It is clear to see that life isn't the same for women living in Saudi Arabia. There still is much improvement that needs to be made, possibly relaxing long held religious and societal customs in the region.
Moreover, many in the West feel the need to jump in when matters of the hijab, niqab or head-covers are brought up as it has become a very contested issue within the last decade.
But for many, it is important to realize that the hijab or niqab is not a sign of oppression but a sign of feminism itself. Many choose to wear them out of their own desire or because of cultural norms.
If a woman feels like she wants to cover up it should be up to her and it shouldn't effect people in North America or Europe that don't wear it.
Conclusion
It is important to note that differences between people are what make us who we are. And that we should all celebrate diversity.
Not only through diversity of race but also of ideas, thoughts, opinions and language. And that is why films like Wadjda are so important. They highlight differences and as well as similarities.
With that being said, Wadjda is a great film to watch about a girl finding her own feet and trying to do what is both best for herself, her family and others who are close to her.
The film tells a quite unique story through a lens uncommonly shown when it comes to films set in the Middle East.
Dawning important themes of feminism, family and friendship throughout the entirety of the film.
