Hot trailer for Saudi Arabia’s first female-helmed feature “Wadjda” (video)

 July 4, 2013 - 18:14 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Saudi Arabian filmmaker Haifaa Al Mansour’s Wadjda is the first-ever feature shot entirely inside the Kingdom – and notably the first Saudi film made by a female director, Deadline said.

It debuted in Venice last year where Al Mansour said she was sometimes relegated to directing by telephone since Saudi law does not allow women and men to be seen together outside. Following Venice, the movie played the Telluride, Palm Springs, London, Tribeca and LA Film Festivals among others.

It tells the story of a young girl who challenges deep-rooted Saudi traditions in a determined quest to buy a bicycle. Sony Pictures Classics acquired the pic last September from Berlin-based producer Razor Films and will release later this year.

It debuts in the UK on July 19 via Soda Pictures.