Wadjda
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Wadjda

WADJDA is a 10-year-old girl living in a suburb of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Although she lives in a conservative world, Wadjda is fun lovi...ng, entrepreneurial and always pushing the boundaries of what she can get away with. After a fight with her friend Abdullah, a neighborhood boy she shouldn't be playing with, Wadjda sees a beautiful green bicycle for sale. She wants the bicycle desperately so that she can beat Abdullah in a race. But Wadjda's mother won't allow it, fearing repercussions from a society that sees bicycles as dangerous to a girl's virtue. So Wadjda decides to try and raise the money herself. At first, Wadjda's mother is too preoccupied with convincing her husband not to take a second wife to realize what's going on. And soon enough Wadjda's plans are thwarted when she is caught running various schemes at school. Just as she is losing hope of raising enough money, she hears of a cash prize for a Koran recitation competition at her school. She devotes herself to the memorization and recitation of Koranic verses, and her teachers begin to see Wadjda as a model pious girl. The competition isn't going to be easy, especially for a troublemaker like Wadjda, but she refuses to give in. She is determined to continue fighting for her dreams... Show More

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t, she enters a religious recitation competition in her school in the hopes of winning the cash prize. However, her rebellious nature and refusal to conform to societal norms cause her to clash with the school administration.

Undeterred, Wadjda takes on odd jobs and starts selling homemade bracelets to her classmates. Along the way, she develops a friendship with her school's headmistress, who also becomes her ally in her quest to own the bicycle. Together, they navigate the challenges of a patriarchal society and slowly start to break down barriers.

Through Wadjda's journey, the film sheds light on the limitations imposed on women in Saudi Arabia. It highlights their struggle for autonomy and the importance of challenging societal norms. Wadjda's unwavering determination serves as an inspiration to viewers, especially young girls, to stand up for their dreams and fight for equality.

Directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour, Wadjda is the first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and directed by a female Saudi filmmaker. It received critical acclaim for its honest portrayal of gender inequality and the charming performance of its young lead actress, Waad Mohammed.

Wadjda is a heartwarming and thought-provoking film that offers a unique glimpse into the lives of women in Saudi Arabia. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in exploring different cultures and understanding the power of resilience and determination.