Wadjda - first Saudi Arabian film directed by a woman

[DalstonDad]

Have you heard about Wadjda? It's the first feature film written and directed by a woman in Saudi Arabia - a country without cinemas. She had to direct it from a van - liaising with the crew via walkie-talkie.

The plot follows the story of a young girl who wants to ride a bike (which is not allowed). She learns verses from the Koran to win a prize to be able to buy a bike. It's had pretty good reviews and is showing in a lot of independent cinemas and some Cineworld and Vue.

Not sure my DD is old enough for a subtitled film - which is a pity.

Have you heard about it?

I hadn't heard about it, has it been released in the UK?

Yes, it's currently showing at various cinemas, including most of the art house ones around the UK. I saw it at Fact Liverpool but it's also on at the Rio in Dalston and in various others around London.

I know its subjective...but is it good/heartwarming/sad/insightful/worth seeing?

I'm hoping to see it soon, and now am all the more interested, since I didn't know it was by a woman!

Read about this film and really want to see it - and perhaps go with DDs (who are learning Arabic)