#wadjda

Composers have a huge responsibility when they're hired to write music for movies. They need to set the right tone for not only the scene itself, but for the whole arc of the movie's storyline. Submitters sent in their favorite choices for movie music that set the tone in this way, and now you get to vote for the best one!

وجدة (Eng: Wadjda) is a 2012 Saudi Arabian drama film which was both the first first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and the first feature-length film made by a female Saudi director. The story concerns itself with Wadjda, a spirited 10-year-old living in Riyadh, who dreams of owning a green bicycle that she passes at a store every day on her way to school. She wants to race her friend Abdullah, a boy from her neighborhood, but riding bikes is frowned upon for girls, so she starts saving up to buy it herself.

The music for the film was written by Max Richter.

The Incredibles is a 2004 Disney/Pixar joint production film, featuring the story of the changing times during a period where society turns against the superheroes that live among them, causing heroes Bob & Helen Parr to be forced to hide their status as "supers" and instruct their young children to do their best not to appear to be exceptional. However, when a face from their past reappears with devious machinations, everything changes.

The score for this movie was written by Michael Giacchino.

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.

This movie made who I am today

Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951, dir. Albert Lewin): One of the most gorgeous technicolor films I've seen yet. The central romance is captivating, if marred by an undercurrent of misogyny, and Ava Gardner gives a leading lady performance for the ages. This is also one of the more artistic melodramas of the era, an underrated gem for sure.

Nine Queens (2000, dir. Fabián Bielinsky): I'm not a big fan of heist movies but this was pretty fun. The plot had a lot of twists and turns without ever losing me, it felt very expertly crafted.

Lone Star (1996, dir. John Sayles): This felt a bit like Giant updated for the 90s, with the blend of melodrama and racial politics, and I very much enjoyed it. I was especially impressed by how the flashbacks were filmed.

Wadjda (2012, dir. Haifaa al-Mansour): The story is fairly conventional and the tone of the film is mostly light but what really got to me was how it depicted a horrifying everyday reality for women living in Saudi Arabia without ever explicitly calling attention to it - because that's just what it's like!

Alice (1988, dir. Jan Švankmajer): Stop-motion animation already kind of freaks me out so this movie was a nightmare for me. A very creative, well crafted nightmare.

Rain Man (1988, dir. Barry Levinson): On the one hand, there are some cool shots, the music is really good and Tom Cruise's performance is excellent. On the other, Dustin Hoffman's portrayal of Raymond felt too close to caricature and it really dragged the whole movie down.

Come Drink with Me (1966, dir. King Hu): A lot of fun, if weirdly structured. The special effects were both pretty bad and an absolute delight.

Wadjda (2012) dir. Haifaa al-Mansour

Women in Film Challenge 2022: [24/52] Wadjda, dir. Haifaa al-Mansour (Saudi Arabia/Germany, 2012)