An enterprising Saudi girl signs on for her school's Quran recitation competition as a way to raise the remaining funds she needs in order to buy the green bicycle that has captured her interest.
Direction
Haifaa al-Mansour directed from a van, hidden from men.
Acting
Waad Mohammed's grin could start revolutions.
Writing
Every Quran verse choice is deliberate rebellion.
Director
Haifaa al-Mansour
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Al-Mansour couldn't interact directly with male crew, directing via monitor from a van — the constraints of her own production mirrored her protagonist's.
Wadjda's green bike is a deliberate echo of The Wizard of Oz — but in Riyadh, there's no wizard, just a girl pedaling herself toward possibility.
SA
