Saudi Arabia9 Essential Films from Saudi ArabiaStop 1 of 9

Wadjda

Name: Wadjda
Released: 2012

Das Mädchen Wadjda

2012

A spirited ten-year-old girl in Riyadh sets her heart on a bicycle — forbidden for girls — and enters her school's Quran recitation contest to win the prize money, quietly defying the rules laid down for her. The first feature shot entirely in Saudi Arabia, a warm, subversive gem.

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Part of 9 Essential Films from Saudi Arabia

This film is stop 1 of 9 in the hand-ranked native-cinema route through Saudi Arabia. See the complete ranking or read the selection methodology.

Watching this film stamps Saudi Arabia in the 196 country film challenge.