Wadjda, about a 10-year-old Saudi Arabian girl, came across my desk I thought it would be a good film for my 12-year-old daughter to watch. The story focuses on Wadjda, who lives in a suburb of Riyadh. Although she is Muslim and lives in a conservative world, Wadjda is fun, enterprising and pushes the limits set by her parents and teachers. After a fight with her friend Abdullah, Wadjda sees a beautiful green bicycle for sale. She wants the bicycle to beat Abdullah in a race. Wadjda’s mother won’t allow her to buy it for fear of ruining her virtue.
So Wadjda decides to try and raise the money herself. She hears of a cash prize for a Koran recitation competition at her school and devotes herself to memorizing and reciting the verses. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but the story ends not as you would expect.
My husband, daughter and I enjoyed the film and discussing the similarities and differences between our cultures. I recommend it for your family, too. It is rated PG for thematic elements, brief mild language and smoking. The film is in Arabic with English subtitles.
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