WADJDA,
Haifa A-Mansour, Germany/Saudi Arabia/US/UAE, 2012 [PG], Arabic EST, 98 minsA film made by a female Saudi filmmaker is the story of a spirited young girl living in a suburb of Riyadh. Wadjda is determined to buy a bike so she can race against her friend Abdullah. But in conservative Riyadh we are told, girls do not ride bikes, as they are dangerous to a girl's virtue. But she does, with cursory regard for mum's fretting or the disapproval of her staunchly traditionalist teacher. Wadjda is funny and romantic but includes a political edge that never soft-pedals its push for reform.
It earned a nomination for Best Foreign Film at the 2014 BAFTA awards.
Discussion followed by Q&A led by Derek Wall, with Mina Boromand, photographer and Aylaa Ebbibary, PhD Candidate, SOAS on the panel.
Screenings are at Bolivar Hall, 54 Grafton Way, London W1T 5DL.
Nearest tube: Warren Street. Overground: Euston.
Buses: 10, 14, 18, 24, 27, 29, 30, 73, 88, 134, 205, 390.
Booking information: tickets are available from 10.20 am on the day and may not be booked in advance.
Admission £10, concessions £8. Annual members £6/£4. Sorry no credit cards.
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