Wadjda: A Portrayal of Women’s Struggle in a Misogynistic Society Anonymous 10th Grade

The film Wadjda directed and written by Haifaa Al Mansour explores the cultural orders that perpetuate gender segregation in Saudi Arabia. The film achieves this by following the experiences of an ambitious young Saudi girl, Wadjda, who questions the country’s misogyny with everything she does. Overall, this worthwhile film comments on the oppressive intersectionality of gender and religion in Saudi Arabia and optimistically advocates for change through the symbolism of a bicycle.

Interestingly enough, the reality of gender segregation active in the film immediately manifests itself within the actual production of the movie. This movie was the first movie ever filmed in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the director, Haifaa Al Mansour, is the first female filmmaker in Saudi Arabia history. Due to the gender segregation rules in Saudi Arabia, Al Mansour was actually forbidden to interact with her male crew; instead, she had to direct the street scenes from a parked van, watching through a monitor and giving instructions through a walkie talkie (“Wadjda Trivia”). In essence, the misogyny of her country challenged her while she made a movie challenging the misogyny of her country.

Al Mansour’s hope for change in this movie is revealed...