Wadjda (2012)

I loved this movie, and can’t imagine what it took for Haifaa al-Mansour to make it. It made me think back to watching Rome, Open City during this 100-year project in the way she was able to create art in some really inhospitable conditions. Also reminiscent of Bicycle Thieves in its use of a wonderful child actor, and Waad Mohammed here was truly remarkable. The bike in question in Wadjda was such a beautiful symbolic device, and the women in this cast really grabbed my heart. Strong recommendation.