Blog 11. Wadjda. "I'll Get One and Show You." Due Thursday by 10PM.
ABDULLAH. Did you really think you could catch me? WAJDA. (confused) I did catch you! You and your stupid bicycle. ABDULLAH. Yeah right. Now you're late and covered in mud. If you had a "stupid" bicycle you could go home and change. But you don't, so you can't. Wajda, hurt, looks up as he slowly pedals away with the other boys, all on bikes as well, talking and laughing. They ride in circles, challenging each other, and showing off. Wajda clutches her soaking veil, watching them all ride away together, happy and free. WAJDA. (to herself) I'll get one and show you.
The German DVD cover of Wadjda.
Waad Mohammed as Wadjda.
Reem Abdullah as Mother.
Writer-Director Haifaa al-Mansour.
According to the oracle—Wikipedia—Wadjda was the first feature to be shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and the first full-length film made in The Kingdome by a female director. It took al-Mansour five years to make the film, mostly in trying to find financial backing and in getting permission to film in Saudi Arabia. The movie was filmed in Riyadh, "which often made it necessary for [al-Mansour] to work from the back of a van. as she could not publicly mix with the men in the crew." The film was a financial and critical success. A.O. Scott wrote of it in The New York Times: "With impressive agility, 'Wadjda' finds room to maneuver between harsh realism and a more hopeful kind of storytelling. There is warmth as well as austerity in Wadjda's world, kindness as well as cruelty, and the possibility, modestly sketched and ardently desired, of change." The British newspaper The Guardian named it one of the 10 best films of 2013 (read the review). The Jerusalem Post's Hannah Brown wrote glowingly of the actors: "Waad Mohammed, an incredibly gifted non-professional, leads this wonderful cast. Her heroine is so naturally, equally idiosyncratic and charismatic, that she makes you care about her from the moment she steps on the screen. Reem Abdullah gives a wonderful performance as a strong woman who is nevertheless vulnerable. Abdullah clearly has acting experience and has had a career on Saudi television. Ahd [Kamel] also has previous acting experience, as well as a career as a director and writer of short films."
Here is the trailer for the film.
1. Your reaction to the film so far? And what scene or moment from it has stayed with you—and why?
2. Your impression of Wadjda? What word or phrase best characterizes her for you? Why? Try not to repeat each other here—at the very least refer to different moments in the movie to support your characterization.
3. This, like Pariah, is the coming-of-age of a young
woman—or in this case, a young girl. What's something that Wadjda and
Alike share in their journey to a more mature awareness of the world and
their place in it? Use specifics here—moments or longer scenes that
tie these two strong girls together.
300 words.
A little preview of what's to come. Wadjda is one hell of a businesswoman.
I really like this film! It is my second time watching it. (The first time was in junior high, so that does not really count.) I think Wadjda is adorable and very self-assured, especially for a 10ish-year-old girl. The scene that has stayed with me is when Wadjda’s mother was gossiping on the phone with another woman about the girl from Wadjda’s school who had been seen in public with the man Wadjda had helped set her up with. This event is very controversial in Wadjda’s community, as it is uncalled for to see a young woman with a man not in her family without her parents’ consent. News spreads like wildfire through the school and homes, which I think shows how standards and the status quo is set. This girl’s business became the whole world’s business almost instantaneously. It is hard to break the status quo because it is backed by an almost-unbreakable layer of societal support and often harsh judgement, which I think is a very prominent message portrayed in this scene. Wadjda is determined and defiant from the get-go. She is determined to make money to buy her bike, to beat Abdullah in a race, and even to wear her Converse. She does not give up and constantly berates her mother about this bicycle, her freedom. I think her defiance is really cool, especially because of her young age. It takes a certain level of self-assurance to be able to barter with someone three times your age and not back down. Alike and Wadjda both experience lots of tension in their households resulting from their parents’ relationships. Alike’s father cheats on her mother, who is well aware of it. Wadjda’s grandmother is actively looking for a new wife for her son (Wadjda’s father) because Wadjda’s mother is infertile. This only complicates the lives of these two girls who are trying to grow in these restrictive environments.
I really like this movie so far. Wadjda is very free spirited and optimistic which makes the film seem light hearted even though times are tough. One scene that stuck out to me was when the teacher told Wadjda to wear black shoes like all of the rest of the girls, but she decided to color in her shoes instead. I thought this scene showed her persistency to stay who she is and not let anyone, even the school principal change that.
Another word I would use to describe Wadjda besides free spirited, is clever. She knows what she wants and she will find a way to get it. For example, Wadjda really wants a bike to race her friend, but since her parents will not get it for her, she does whatever she can to raise money herself even if it means being deceitful. I like Wadjda’s character because of the fearlessness and courage she has even if she knows she might get into trouble.
Both Alike and Wadjda don’t seem to be content in their current lifestyles. One thing that both girls struggle with is their wardrobe and people telling them what and what not to wear. Alike’s mother is very insistent on her daughter looking a certain way and dressing very feminine. Similarly, Wadjda is forced by her school to have a certain dress code when it comes to her shoes and her head dress that she does not agree with. Both girls are living lives that they are not completely satisfied with. I am curious to see if Wadjda continues to rebell throughout the movie like Alike did, or if she conforms to her surroundings. By what I have seen so far, she does not seem like the type of girl to give up on what she believes in.
I have really enjoyed this movie sop far, despite the fact that we've only seen a small part of it. From the moment it started, I felt completely engrossed in the world of the film- something that didn't seem to happen as quickly for me with some of the other films we've watched this term. I really love Wadjda's character and I can't wait to see what the rest of the film has in store. The word I would use is rebellious, but not necessarily in the traditional sense. She is an independent young girl who is willing to question the rules and expectations her society has for her, and does not understand all of the restrictions put on women. Wadjda is more concerned with having fun and enjoying her childhood, but is reprimanded for doing so. The moment that stuck with me the most in the scene where Wadjda is listening to Grouplove's Tongue Tied (they are a great band, by the way- amazing live!) and her mother calls her music "evil", or when the principle reprimands Wadjda for having love songs which are "forbidden". Also, girls in Saudi Arabia generally aren't allowed to ride bikes, which is something that she wants to do very bad. In order to do this, Wadjda begins saving up money to buy a bike, and is a bit mischievous in her methods of obtaining it, at times. She agrees to deliver a card to a girl named Abeer's brother, but for a price: a price which she made the brother pay as well. Though this was an amusing scene, Wadjda later learns that Abeer was caught with a man outside of her family and was married off by her parents- an idea which seems to scare Wadjda quite a bit. Wadjda doesn't understand why she is forced to follow so many rules that she does not agree with, while her friend, a young boy, is able to do everything that she wants to do. Alike and Wadjda are both forced to follow very strict societal rules and meet expectations that they simply cannot because it is not who they are. Alike is expected by her mother to dress feminine and to be her idea of a perfect daughter, while Wadjda is constantly being told that her shoes, clothes, and music do not meet the expectations her school, principle, and family have for her. Most notable, however, is the fact that both girls are trying to be themselves and enjoy their lives in societies that don't allow them to be who they are. Alike and Wadjda are both struggling under the pressures of their respective societies, and are expected to be perfect portraits of model young women, painted by their societies' standards and expectations for women and girls. I feel strongly that Wadjda, like Alike, will not let these pressure and expectations hold her back.
1. I enjoy Wadjda so far. The best thing about it for me is getting a glimpse into Saudi culture. I didn’t realize it until we started the film, but I had no idea what Saudi Arabia was like beyond news articles about the oppressive regime and inklings of misinformation I’d pieced together from “sources” such as Aladdin. What has stuck with me the most is the internalized oppression within the women of Saudi Arabia. It’s one thing to see a group in power telling an oppressed group what they can and can’t do and who they should and shouldn’t be. Seeing the oppressed group, here, the women, enforce those rules so strictly on themselves is shocking, and saddening to watch. Seeing the teacher force Wadjda into the uniform identity of what Saudi girls are supposed to be reminds me almost of brainwashing. Like this woman is a robot-enforcer for the patriarchy. 2. Wadjda is, above all else, absolutely driven. She knows exactly what she wants and she’ll do whatever it takes to get it. Unlike Alike, who was unsure of what she wanted and allowed other people to place their own ideas upon her before finally breaking free, Wadjda takes action from the get-go to try and beat the system to achieve what she wants, buying that bicycle. 3. While I just mentioned that Wadjda’s character initially acts with more agency than Alike’s, both girls eventually understand that they don’t want to fit into the box that the people around them deem appropriate. The most specific instance that the two share is clothing. Wadjda doesn’t want to wear the full headscarf or the same mundane black shoes that the other girls wear. Similarly, Alike doesn’t want to wear the feminine pink blouse that her mother picks out for her. Eventually, Alike changes and realizes that she doesn’t want to dress masculine, the way that lesbians like Laura do, and allows herself to accept the féminity that is true to her character. We see this manifest as she wears a pink hoodie in the final moments of the film.
I love this movie so far. The setting is new and fresh, Wadjda is very charismatic; she gets inside your head. More on that later. The scene that struck me was when she asks for 20 extra rial from the dude she sets helps her friend up with. When I first saw this scene, I couldn’t help but think “Damn, I would never do that. She’s so much cooler than me.” She is so cunning and resourceful, and I admire her a lot for that. All she wants is a bicycle, something trial for many kids in the world, yet it is out of reach, and she will stop at nothing to get it. I see Wadijah as charismatic, at least from my perspective in the audience. We all know what it is like to struggle against the confines we are set in, whether we accept it or not.. From the get-go, we are on her side. Just by action and body language alone we can feel her struggle. The audience is on her side, and even her friends at school admire her for her bravery. Even Wadjda’s mother has to deal with the expectations of bearing a son, and it’s a pity she can’t see her daughter is fighting the same fight. Wadjda and Alike are both frustrated with not fitting in to the roles that society has prescribed for them. Alike doesn’t want to be straight: she isn't, and she doesn't like going to the club. This is exemplified by when she’s dressing up for church, and doesn't want to wear typical clothing. Similarly, Wadjda struggles with her headscarf and how she is constantly being told to move or cover up because there are men around. The scene where her boy-friend comes at her with his shining bike could not be more symbolic. He is literally more mobile than Wadjda, just because “girls don’t ride bikes”. On top of that, she lsoer her sandwich.
I enjoy watching this movie. Although this will be my third time watching it, I feel like it is not a movie I get bored by. There are lots of aspects that continue to draw my eye in, and the fact that it is set in such a different place than where we live keeps me intrigued. One of scenes that stays with me the most from what we have watched so far is the scene when Wadjda first sees the bike she wants to buy. The bike appears to be almost riding on its own along the top of the wall because it is on top of the car. The fact that it appears like this makes Wadjda dream of riding a bike like a fantasy. Bikes can't ride on their own, and in that society, women don't ride bikes either. They are both impossible, yet Wadjda still wants to ride.
I think Wadjda is incredibly clever and strong willed. She knows what she wants, and she devises clever and smart ways to do so. For example, when she decides to start earning money for the bike, she gets money from saying the bracelets are extra money and fooling the man with the truck to pay her extra even though she had already been paid. She knows how to bargain and trick people. She does not fit within the society she lives in though. She speaks out when she has thoughts rather than staying quiet, she wants a bike even though it's looked down upon, and she likes western music and other things that aren't allowed in Saudi Arabia. Although she is aware of the dangers of not following the rules, she seems to be a character who does not understand the purpose of the strictness. She doesn't want to be like all the other women.
They both are somewhat outliers in their society. Alike is a lesbian African American girl whose mother does not accept her sexuality. She is treated like she has no place within the family due to her differences. When Alike was being beaten by her mother, she cried that “there is nothing wrong with her” even though she is gay. Wadjda also is out of place in her world. She doesn't want to be muffled by the rules within her society and instead, pays little attention to doing what is told. She is a witty, clever, independent girl who has bigger dreams than those expected of women in Saudi Arabia. One example is when all the girls stop playing outside and go inside to not be seen by the construction men except Wadjda. She doesn't care about being seen by them so she continues to play. Her defiance against the social expectations shows how different she is from other in her life. Both girls don't know their place within their worlds.
I like this movie so far, I'm definitely pulling for Wadjda and invested in her character. She’s so smart and so young it's really inspiring how she sets her mind on getting a bike, and does everything she can to accomplish her goal. Reading the subtitles can be a little difficult at times as sometimes they are not translated perfectly. I think the mother-daughter relationship between Wadjda is very interesting and I’m curious to see how it develops. The scene that stayed with me from the first half was when all Wadjda classmates went inside from playing to hide from the men working on constructions. Wadjda kept on playing her hopscotch game, not caring that she was the only one still outside apart from some older girls painting their nails. I really like this because it introduced us to Wadjda as and individual, she does what she wants, not just what others are doing.
I would describe Wadjda as ballsy, she does want she wants with no regard. She seems very impulsive and independent, with no real intentions of assimilating. I really like Wadjda so far, her character is propelling. Something as simple as getting bike is an incredible challenge for women, but Wadjda has her heart set on it. She was particularly ballsy when she confronted the bike shop owner, giving him a mixtape and making him promise not to sell “her” bike.
Wadjda and Alike are both young women in a society full of people and norms dictating who they should be. They both have complicated relationships with their mothers. Neither of them seem to belong in the world that they live in. For Alike, it’s a struggle to embrace her sexuality in a family that expects her to be straight. For Wadjda, she does not fit in with the other girls her age, she wants to be able to ride bikes like the boys. Both of these characters struggle with fitting into the gender roles expected of them by society. They both make an effort to change themselves to fit in with one side more. Wadjda colors her sneakers black to try to match the other girls and Alike tries on a fake dick to try to be the kind of lesbian Laura wants her to be.
1. I really enjoy this film. Although I must admit that the tone seems too upbeat for the subject matter. I would imagine a film dealing with a young girl navigating the oppressive sexist society of Saudi Arabia to be dark and gloomy, but instead we have this blissfully ignorant little girl somehow finding joy and wonder in a world so set against her. The scene that stuck with me was when Wadjda started selling bracelets to get money for the bike. I will admit, I was taken aback by how quickly she took action. She immidialaty had a plan and wasn't going to take no for an answer.
2. I would describe Wadjda as profoundly naive. Naive because she doesn't truly understand how the world works and the oppression that she faces, but profound because through that ignorance she manages to point out the flaws in the system. Like when she criticizes the driver for arriving early, or challenges the notion that women can't ride bikes.
3. I agree with what everyone has already said. Both Alike and Wadjda are trapped in the expectations how how women should act, dress, and work in society. Clothing provides a big restriction on their characters. Both characters are trying to find out who they are underneath all the layers of oppression, stereotypes, and societal standards.
1. So far, I have really enjoyed this film. This movie carries such a different tone in it than it does in our previos movies. I am struck by the application of humor in this story, which I find refreshing after having encountered the reality of women’s oppression in Saudi Arabia. A particular moment that exemplifies how the humor has relieved me occurs when Wadjda finally purchases her bike. She is able to brag about it to her friend, who earlier proclaimed that girls cannot ride bicycles. Not only did this scene make me laugh, but it also made me happy to see an oppressed person rebel against someone who benefits from an unjust system.
2. The best word that I can use to describe Wadjda is aware. Not only is she aware of how to use her cleverness to gain money, but she is also partly aware of the social status of women in Saudi Arabia. She notices how women in her society are seen as voiceless objects that are subservient to the wills of their male counterparts. For example, when Wadjda is walking home from school, an older male construction worker makes sexual comments to her; in response, she can only keep her head down and walk away.
3. Both Wadjda and Alike have better relationships with their fathers than they do with their mothers. Personally, I believe that this dynamic comes from the protagonist’s contempt towards what their respective mothers represent: an authoritative figure that wants to change them into their own ideas of what a young woman should be. In Pariah, Audrey wants her daughter to be more feminine and to never be suspected as being gay. She buys her daughter a “girly” dress in an attempt to change the way that Alike dresses. In Wadjda, the protagonist’s mother wants her to accept her “place” as a Saudi Arabian woman which, in this case, would prevent her from buying a bike. The mother breaks a plate after Wadjda has been sent home from school, which signifies her frustration at her daughter for being herself.
I am definitely enjoying this film so far, but it is frustrating me. I have never really known that much about the gender segregation in Saudi Arabia and I never had an idea of how extreme it was. One scene that peaked my interest in terms of this realization was the scene where all of the girls were outside at school. As soon as any man could see them they all went inside. I am a bit confused as to why the women are not allowed to be seen, touched or heard by a man. I suppose it is about modesty and staying close to god, but even then I just cannot wrap my head around why it is so extreme. Although I still respect the culture of Saudi Arabia, I do find their laws around gender and women to be extremely backwards. It seems like that kind of pressure is a very challenging environment for a young girl like Wadja to grow up in.
So far my impression of Wadja is very positive. She is very passionate about what she loves and she would not trade her individuality for anything. It seems as though she is unaware of the laws that segregate her and hold her down, and that causes her to do what she thinks is right rather than what others think is best for her and I respect and admire that a lot. The scene that really made me invested in Wadja was the one of her coloring her shoes. Her teacher told her to wear black shoes like the other girls at her school, and she decides to wear black shoes. Rather than get a new pair, she proceeds to color the ones that she already has in order to make them into black shoes. This scene made me laugh a little bit, but at heart it is very sweet and shows exactly what she thinks of the system she is in.
One thing that these two girls share in their journey to a more fruitful and aware life is their mother figures. Wadja's mother is very domestically conservative and does not support anything that goes outside of her comfort zone. Wadja's mother is similar to Audrey from Pariah in that Audrey also does not support anything that she does not understand. Neither characters put in a whole lot of effort to understand their children and rather than try new parenting tactics, they both try to bend their children to their will regardless of how their children feel about it. This type of influence in their lives is what makes the two characters similar.
I really like this film. The topics of gender suppression portrayed in such a different reality than what is familiar to me are very interesting to see. I also think its super cool that its the first film to be shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and it is such a powerful yet approachable portrayal of important issues for this groundbreaking film to address. One scene that stuck out to me was when Wadja was playing hopscotch and while all the girls rushed inside to avoid being seen by the men on the roof above. I found it very true to Wadja’s character as the one girl commented how all the respectable girls would go inside but Wadja just laughs and keeps playing by herself.
I would describe Wadja’s character as honest. This may seem like a strange word to use for her, but I think she is portrayed as completely sure in her ways and beliefs and true to herself in a completely honest way. She is true to herself in a way in which she doesn’t care if shes fitting the norms or following the pack as she believes in her own drive that much. The ways she rebels by wearing the shoes she wasn’t allowed to or is determined to get this bike aren't her trying to be rebellious specifically, but just follow her beliefs and truth. She is also an extremely likable character who you can't help but rooting for as her core is so inspiring.
I think both of these girls could be labeled as “pariahs” in their society. Staying true to themselves means being ostracized by the community that surrounds them. They are both constricted by gender roles in way of clothing and appropriate behavior. Just as Alike is made to change her clothing, Wadja is forbidden as well of any self-expression. Just as Alike is not allowed to hang out with Laura or go to certain parts of town, Wadja is not allowed to get a bike or do the activities she longs to as well. Both of these tales of self-growth and expression of these young women have many commonalities tying back to the restrictions of their societies.
So far I have really been enjoying the film. It has given me some interesting insight into a culture that I am not all that familiar with. The scene that stuck with me the most from the film so far had to be when that creepy construction worker starting trying to catcall Wadjda. This was extremely jarring for me as the overall tone of the movie up to that point seemed somewhat idealistic and happy, but that disturbing experience jarred me back to reality. This only served to remind me that this truly is the reality that many women have to deal with on a day to day basis. To see this happening to someone as young as ten, and to have her think so little of it, tells me that this has been normalized and the society represented here is deeply flawed and in need of revision.
I would describe Wadjda as, above all else, self assured. We can see from the very beginning that she is exceedingly comfortable with forging her own path and does not neet society or her parents breathing down her neck and telling her how to live. Wadjda knows what she wants and even from a young age has the courage and sense of self confidence to take it.
One specific theme that I saw that ties the two movies together is the role of their mothers. While so far, the mother in Wadjda appears to be much more tolerant and loving towards her daughter, there still remains an air of disapproval or worry as to how Wadjda conducts herself, something abundantly present in Pariah. I think that the common thread between these two girls journeys to adulthood lies in their ability to distinguish their own self worth outside of the bounds of what society or specific people in their lives tell them they need to be, something I Wadjda is able to achieve.
I like this film a lot so far. I think that it's cool to see a story set in Saudi Arabia that doesn't focus on terrorism or violence that we usually see portrayed. It's also interesting from a little girl’s point of view. One scene that stuck with me from our viewing today was where the construction worker yelled down at Wadjda and harassed her. I think this stuck with me because I was just shocked that a 30 or 40 year old man would say such a perverted and inappropriate thing to a girl who is only about 12 or so.
I really like Wadjda’s character so far. If i had to describe her in one word, I would use the word “strong-willed.” I think that she has a very strong will not to be put down by her mother or her principal when she wants something. Also, with the bike, she is determined to save up enough money to buy the bike, and even though the price is daunting, she sticks with it. I think another part of this is her ability not to be discouraged or scared when something doesn't go her way. I'm excited to see where this strength takes her.
I think that Alike and Wadjda share the experience of having a mother who is strict on what they can and cannot do. In Wadjda, this doesn't happen as severely, but it is still there when her mother tells her that as long as she lives, Wadjda will not buy a bike. In Pariah, the mother is a lot more strict about everything in Alike’s life such as who she hangs out with and what she wears. I think that both of these characters are fairly defiant against their mother’s wishes and will work against those restrictions to find their place in life.
I’ve been excited about finishing the movie since we left Wednesday! This film is yet another new perspective I get to see now. Other than documentaries, this is the first movie I’ve seen that was made/filmed in Saudi Arabia. The setting is really beautiful, and the main family really nice. The movie tackles the oppressive treatment of women in the country, and it’s an important feature of the film, as the main character is a young girl named Wadjda. The movie conveys a multitude of different emotions; some really comedic, some heartwarming, some excitement,etc. Having all of these attributes makes a good movie, as seen with other films the class has watched. 2. I think the best word to describe Wadjda would be divergent. Though she is defiant, I don’t think she is defiant for the purpose of standing against her society. I think she is living her life without regard to the social expectations of women, and her actions just so happen to defy what is seen as “ladylike”. She is also divergent in the way she thinks; most 10 year olds are NOT that quick witted! I live the scenes where we see Wadjda immediately find a way to make a situation profit her. As with Alike, the beginning scenes of each respective film set the main characters out as different. In “Pariah” Alike stands out by the fact she is in a lesbian strip club, and when the audience notices she isn’t joining in with any one group. Wadjda stands out among her class, as shown with the focus on her converses. The scene notes the clear uniformity the girls had put upon them, in contrast to the free thinking Wadjda has. Both of them also have a voice of condemnation in their lives, someone who wants to control them. With Alike, her mother tries to control who she’s friends with, where she goes, and all the way down to her sexual orientation. With Wadjda, it is her principal. She constantly tries to suppress Wadjda’s youthful divergence, and both adults are seen as a foil to the characters’ freedom.
1. I liked it! I think it’s such a good movie! Wadjda is such a little rebel and she is so cute. For me, Wadjda is so pure that I fell in love with her as a character almost instantly. She knows what she wants and she sees that other people are unhappy with it but she doesn’t care. I think the mother daughter contrast in this movie is also super neat. One moment that stayed with me the most was when she stayed outside to play even though men could see her. When the teacher comes out, she warns the 2 older girl painting their nails, and when they leave their nail polish outside in their hurry to go inside, Wadjda picks it up for them. She didn’t have to do that, and I think this compassion is a quality that I find very outstanding in Wadjda.
2. I really like Wadjda. I think if I had to describe her using on word I’d just say different. She wants to ride bikes, which is a traditional boy thing. She is very assertive and knows what she wants. In the linked video, you see her tell a fully grown man what to do. She wears the same beat up converse everyday, not because she doesn’t have better shoes to wear I think, but because it’s her own little way of rebellion. She runs her own bracelet business to raise money to buy a bike against her parents will. Wadjda is so strong willed. She knows what she wants and she isn’t afraid to get it.
3. I think it was very interesting to see how both Wadjda’s mom and Alike’s parents are very concerned about them. They almost seem ashamed of their behavior/personality. They both seem to have grown in up very traditional surroundings. Alike’s parents are in denial about her sexuality, and Wadjda’s mom is very upset when she hears she is not being traditional enough at school. The way both of these characters dress seems to upset the people around them, weather that is the school or their parents.
1. I love this film because of the simple plot line. A young girl living in Saudi Arabia tries to buy a bicycle despite all the social norms that keeping her from buying the bike. I love that this simple story carries such heavy themes such as the restriction of women. One scene that stuck with me was when the principal got mad at those two girls for laughing in the presence of a man. It struck me because it is not something I am used seeing. It seems really oppressive and degrading that there is this culture that is oppressing these women. They have to cover their bodies, are not allowed to be in the presence of men that are not in their families, and have to be married off. However, I am looking at this from a western perspective. I view this culture as deviant from the norms that I have been raised on, and I understand. However, it doesn’t sit well with me that this type of culture exists.
2. I love Wadjda because she uses her intelligence to get what she wants. She doesn’t listen to the norms that are being forced onto her. I would call her defiant. for this very reason
3. Both Wadjda and Alike both have female authorities telling what they can’t do or be. Alike feels that she can’t be herself because her mother pushes this heteronormative propaganda in hopes that Alike will change while Laura tells Alike to be this AG lesbian; Alike comes to realize that is not who she is either. With Wadjda, she doesn’t have two female authorities coming from different sides but rather from the same side. Her mother shuts her down when she finds out Wadjda wants to buy a bike. The principal of the school is also restricting her because Wadjda is trying to be an independent woman who tries to get what she wants. The principal sees this as a problem and tries to suppress her with her authoritative position of power.
I am enjoying the film so far. Wadjda is very smart and does not let societal views of women stop her from trying to get what she wants, a bicycle. A scene that really stuck with me was when Wadjda was in her room and her mother was talking on the phone about Abeer and how she was caught with a boy. The look on her face made me think that this was the first time that somebody she knew personally was getting in serious trouble for meeting with a boy. It made her realize that the society she lives in does have very strict rules for what is and is not allowed for women.
One word that describes Wadja is cunning. She is a busnesswomen and she is willing to do whatever it takes to make money, even lie and cheat people. She makes Abeer give her twenty dollars and then she tells the boy that she was delivering Abeer’s letter to that he has to give her twenty dollars. She also raises the price on her bracelets because she “broke her back” working in them. She is very intelligent and knows what to say, and is more than willing, to people to get more money from them.
They have both shared incidents of their mothers perpetrating the misogyny or homophobia that they are facing. Wadjda’s mother jokes about marrying her off multiple times, and Wadjda listens to her mother on the phone talking about Abeer and how her parents should have married her off. Wadjda is a very strong young girl and probably does not want to think of a future like of just being married to a man. Alike has to witness her mother's passive aggressive comments towards Laura, like when they are in Alike’s room and her mom insist upon them keeping the door open. Both of these girls have to see or hear their mothers, somebody they should look up to, talk about futures that they do not want for themselves.
1. I like the film so far because it is a very realistic portrayal of the extremely rigid role for women in their society, it is humanized through the lense of the humorous and courageous character of Wadjda. The scene that stayed with me was one of the first in which Wadjda’s teacher caught two girls laughing outside and said to them something along the lines of “a woman’s voice musn’t be heard outside” and “a woman’s voice is her nakedness.” This was very strong and I think the first thing that we heard her teacher say. This struck me because I knew there were many restrictions on women in their culture, but to categorize speaking outdoors as such a scandalous act was shocking to me. 2. Wadjda came across as a very likable character with a wicked sense of humor. Her character, for me personally, made this film a lot less of a foreign film and actually more a film that hits close to home. I would say she’s relatable because she’s a young girl solely focused on her competitive goal of getting a bike. An example of this is when her mother is telling her about their awful car ride and bad day and the girl slyly asks if her mother could pay for the rest of the cost of the bike. This is a classic hearing and not listening moment that many parents probably encounter with their children. Another example is when we see her in her room listening to popular american music (I think it might have been “Tongue Tied” by Grouplove) and making some bracelets. 3. Both Alike and Wadjda are struggling through conflict between their parents that seems to put them in the middle. In Pariah, in the scene leading up to her mother beating her, Alike is used as the center of their argument with Arthur strongly pushing Alike to “tell her it’s not true” and prove to her mother she wasn’t gay. Wadjda’s parents also seem to fight frequently as the husband (as he was in Pariah) is often out of the house and might be seeking another wife. When pushed, he revealed with Wadjda in earshot that there would be no problem and he wouldn’t have to seek another wife if she just bore him a son. This is a heartbreaking situation that Alike and Wadjda are both facing in their coming of age narratives.
My initial reaction to the film would be pretty positive. Although I have seen this movie before I remembered some bits and pieces, but I still enjoyed it a lot. A moment or scene that stuck with me was when the principle was in the courtyard and said to students they can’t laugh because the men will hear. This stood out to me because it shows how women in Saudi Arabia are placed in society. The men in Saudi Arabia condescend the women and the rules to act or be a women in Saudi Arabia are very strict. This particular moment made me appreciate living in America and not having as strict norms.
A word a would use to describe Wadjda is unstoppable. I say this because she is very goal driven and she has a goal of one day getting a bike and works to make bracelets to earn money for the bike. When she is caught, she still keeps the goal in mind and finds another solution to get money. Some of her ideas may not be the greatest but she makes her way to one day hopefully have a bike.
Both Wadjda and Alike are both very self driven. As I said before they both have a Dream or hope and do everything in their power to make the dream a reality. There parents may not be the most supportive but at the end of the day they are both very grateful. They both have mothers but have a rocky relationship which I think drives the girls to work harder to prove their mothers wrong.
I really liked the film. One moment that really stayed with me was when the dad was laying down playing video games. The juxtaposition of a father acting like a child playing violent video games, and the treatment of the women in this society is quite astonishing. I am interested to see more of the hypocrisy within that society about the expectations of men versus women. The word I would use to describe her is childish. Not in the way its offen used to mean immature, but she is really a child. She is only beginning to understand the weight society will put on her shoulders as a women. But she still has that childish wonder and excitement. I love how she is going against all societal norms and rules because she is so motivated to get a bike and be independent. She does not realize yet that those rules are non negotiable, and seriously enforced. And I am worried the parents may do something drastic like trying to marry her off.
One broad connection is that they are both Young women growing up, and they both want things that are almost impossible to attain in the societies they are living in. Aliké wants to be loved as a Lesbian, but due to bigotry by her mother, kids at school, and others, it is almost impossible for her to attain it. Wadjda wants freedom and just to be a kid. Due to sexism and oppresive laws and societal demands, that is impossible. The main difference between their two stories is that in America, it is possible to find your group or your bubble. Aliké will find her group at Berkley, and a lot of her growing pains will not seem quite as bad once she is grown up. However, Wadjda might be stuck. She can not find her group of independent Women in Saudi Arabia because it is practically illegal. Aliké overcame a lot, however, there were not legal barriers in place like the ones in Saudi Arabia
I like the film so far. What I like is how the film tells us a lot about the characters and the society they live in through a few simple images. The way they have men constant looking down at them when they talk to them from a ledge or a roof is very metaphorical. The film also does a good job or portraying the young women. In this society, women are looked down upon, but Wadjda still finds ways to work the system to her advantage.
Wadjda is the right combination of curiosity, sassiness and innocence. The fact that her ultimate goal is to buy the bike is interesting. At this point, I think the bike represents independence and freedom.
I think Wadjda is a childish girl. I think she has a bit of a rebellious streak; she is going against the rules at her school and she still tries to make money for her bike even when her mom tells her not to. Alike and Wadjda are similar because they both live in a society when their identity is suppressed. They both understand that there are certain “rules” that society has and they both find their own mischievous ways around it. Alike hangs out with Laura and begins experimenting with her sexuality while Wadjda is very sarcastic and makes fun of people who try to put her down.
I don’t have a particularly strong negative or positive reaction to the first part of the movie. Watcha is is not the type of film that I would normally go out of my way to see. I do think that it is interesting to see inside the extremely conservative society of Saudi Arabia. The acting and directing was solid and I find the characters somewhat intriguing.On the other hand, I feel as though the plot is moving pretty slowly and the scenery is pretty drab so overall I have an ambivalent attitude towards the film so far. I am looking forward to seeing if the second half of the movie produces a stronger reaction.
I really like Wajda so far. She is my favorite character and I think the word that best describe her is wily. I say that because she is clever and mischievous and she uses her talents for deception and conning in order to undermine the misogynistic society in which she resides in her own way. I think it is cool that that she is not portrayed simply as a victim of the oppressive patriarchy but instead she is actively resisting even if she doesn’t know that she is. She is saving up to buy a bike, something that girls aren’t supposed to do in Saudi Arabia. While her doing that is not something that will topple that extremely restrictive regime of her nation, it is still significant because she is showing women around her that there is another way.
I think that a major similarity between Alike and Wajda is that they are both a part of families that don’t approve of the way that they carry themselves. Wanda’s mother and teachers don’t like that she doesn’t behave in the way that their society expects young girls to behave. She doesn’t go inside when men can see her and she wants to ride a bike. Alike doesn’t show interest in boys or in things that American society thinks that gild her she should be interested in. Her mother wants her to go participate in their church community and Alike isn’t interested.
So far I have really enjoyed this movie. I have heard about this movie when it came out, but I never had the chance to see it. I like how the whole movie is in the scope of just Wadjda’s perspective and how the plot is so simple, she wants a bike that she can’t have. But I think the gender component about always having to conceal her identity is interesting, and how it is not just about how her family cannot afford the bike. Instead of accepting her fate, she decides to utilize every opportunity to try to get what she wants. One scene I remember is when they are playing hopscotch and all of the other girls go inside because they see that they are in sight of men, but Wadjda stays outside and continues to play.
I would describe Wadjda as independent and confident. It seems as though she does not need to or want to rely on any other person. She is comfortable defying the rules and going outside of what is expected of her. I think these qualities make her a really interesting character, because she seems so much older than she really is. She is wise and although she is not a very vocal character, you can always tell that she is thinking and formulating new ideas in her head.
I think in a broader scheme these two characters share their willingness to defy what is expected of them. But specifically, this bravery seems to come easily to both of them. One of the more obvious things I first think of is the symbol of their clothing in both of these films. Alike is shown changing from clothes her mother would be happy with to the clothes that she truly feels comfortable in. Similarly, we see Wadjda’s mother and teacher pushing her to cover her hair and her face when she constantly finds herself taking it off, not wanting to conform to what she is suppose to do.
So far I really like the film. I enjoy Wadjda’s character, her confidence, intelligence, and her sense of humor. The scene that has stayed with me the most is the moment outside of the school where Wadjda whispers to the other girls that the teacher is coming. Wadjda decides to help out these girls, who didn’t seem to be her friends. I think this shows an interesting part of her character, how she’s able to help others even when she herself is in danger. I would describe Wadjda using the word intelligent. I think her business of selling the bracelets, as well as the incident where she lied to the man with the white pickup just to get extra money shows that she has, or at least constantly uses, her smarts to get what she wants. In a way, she knows how to hustle people. I also think her interactions with her parents, the store owner, and the man in the pickup truck show her higher than normal level of maturity. She can act like an adult and is smart enough to be a child when need be. For instance, when she’s in the principal's office she tones down her sarcastic speech, realizing that in that situation that acting humorous and like an adult might not be the best idea. I think Wadjda and Alike share a situation where they constantly see other people taking part in the activities that they desire to do. For Alike, it’s watching Laura meet new women and experience love, when Alike herself doesn’t know how. For Wadjda it’s watching the young boys ride their bikes, something she is also unable to accomplish. Both girls see their goals and must struggle through societies expectations to reach them.
If I’m being honest, so far, I don’t really like this film. The reason why I don’t like it is because it portrays the single story that most people have in their heads about Saudi Arabia and about Islam. Why can’t Islam be it’s true self, be more than what people perceive it to be? A scene that has stayed with me is the interaction between Wadjda and Abdullah; I think their meetings are so cute and I like how he shows her things that help her step outside the restrictive culture that she has been placed in.
I believe that Wadjda is a rebel. The audience could see that right from the opening shot of her blue-laced Converse in comparison to all the buckled black shoes everyone else was wearing. I really like how it’s in her nature to be who she wants to be and do what she wants to do regardless of her surroundings. As women in restrictive environments like these, it’s really hard to do what you would like to do. You always have to think about others’ best interests. I like how she doesn’t do that. She is clever and independent, something that can’t be said about other women in environments like these.
I think that Wadjda and Alike are similar in finding their place in their worlds because they are both considered outcasts. Regardless of the restrictive forces that compete against them, they still try to find their place in their own worlds. For example, when Wadjda gets in trouble for not covering her face or speaking too loudly, she gets called to the principal’s office. But after her meeting with the principal is over, she goes back to being her rebellious self. I think it’s the same with Alike, too. She never stops trying to find herself even after her mom says “God doesn’t make mistakes,” implying that she believes both her and God don’t support Alike’s search for her lesbian identity.
So far this movie is a lot more interesting than I thought it would be. Wadjda seems to live a normal life that consists of going to school, listening to music, cooking with her mom, and spending time with her dad. This movie breaks so many stereotypes about Saudi Arabia which helps tie this movie in with Pariah and the TED talk "The Dangers of A Single Story". I totally understand why John would show us this film. One of my favorite scenes from this movie was when Wadjda first walked into her room and turned on all of her technology. This scene made the entire movie more relatable because Wadjda turned out to be just a regular girl that was trying to live her life. As I said before, I can only describe Wadjda as relatable because she comes off as a normal girl. I never would have imagined a movie like this being made in the Middle East because the all of the "single stories" we hear promote a negative stereotype that is filled with sexism. Wadjda helps break down those stereotypes because she wears regular clothes, argues with her parents, and plays video games with her father. Together, Alike and Wadjda create a perfect view of an adolescent girl growing into herself. Both Alike and Wadjda have to face sexism and gender struggles from a society who is trying to put them in to a box. Alike is growing into life as a confident, black, lesbian woman while Wadjda is defying religious rules by trying to buy and ride a bike. Wadjda's mother and Laura act as the nurturers to their daughter/friend as the go through their journey.
I really like what we have seen of this film. It is something I have never seen before, and the only thing I’ve seen surrounding this culture is Persepolis (book & movie). My attention and interest surprises me, as there is not really a lot going on. A memorable scene for me was when the construction worker cat called Wadjda from up on the building. This behavior is, unfortunately, expected in any culture, but I was especially stunned and disappointed that she would experience this at her young age. The audience also got a look at Wadjda and Abdullah’s relationship. It felt almost like they are an old married couple who, though they constantly bicker, love each other.
I view Wadjda as fiendish, but in a charming manner. Throughout what we’ve seen, she is constantly pushing the line, but never quite crosses it enough to do serious damage. Like in the scene where she delivers a note to a classmate’s “brother” and tricks both of them into paying her. Her dishonesty is immoral, yet very clever and no one gets hurt in the process. This moment also highlights Wadjda’s mentality of self preservation. She is driven to always gain something from situations or only do things that help herself. A similar moment is when Wadjda pays gets the store owner to sell her a video game for much less than the original price. Using charisma and wit, the girl is able to charm the salesman and win him over. I really respected Wadjda after watching this part, and appreciate her boldness.
Wadjda and Alike are both young girls growing up in a society that oppresses elements of their lives. For Alike, it’s her sexuality and for Wadjda her outgoing nature as a female. These two characters must navigate harsh realities of their worlds, including pressure from parents, peers, and the broader community, while trying to explore who they are as young women. Also, at the end of both Pariah and Wadjda, they are able to accept themselves and be free. Wadjda finally gets her bicycle and Alike goes to college. One difference between the girls’ lives is their relationship with their mother figures. Audrey, Alike’s mom, is unable to accept the qualities of her daughter that are not considered customary while Wadjda’s mom realizes that her relationship with her daughter is more important than conforming to social norms.
At this point, the film strikes me as a typical American tweenager type of film in which a girl must go through all these steps to achieve her goal. The interesting thing about this film is that she has to do all of this while in a country that limits her actions in every way. The movie is well done in all aspects except for the subtitles because knowing the little bit of Arabic that I do, some of them were mistranslations. A scene that stuck with me was when all of the schoolgirls were packed together and we then got a shot of all of their shoes most of them being plain black shoes. The only one who stood out was Wadjda who was wearing Converse sneakers which is consistent with the girl who we see listening to American music while in the confines of her own home. Wadjda seems to me like what I know to be a regular 12 year old American girl. What makes her different is the fact that she is this way despite the culture that she has grown up around. She is determined to get her way and too smart for her own good and does not belong in the environment that she is in. It seems like she is almost desperate to be “American” in the way that she wears American shoes, wears American clothes, and makes mixtapes of American music. Both Alike and Wadjda share a dysfunctional home life in which the mother is the more present figure and the father is loving but either absent or negligent. These relationships then showed how a unorthodox relationship with a father figure can lead to a lack of guidance for a young girls life and leaves them with a need for direction.
I really like this film! It is my second time watching it. (The first time was in junior high, so that does not really count.) I think Wadjda is adorable and very self-assured, especially for a 10ish-year-old girl. The scene that has stayed with me is when Wadjda’s mother was gossiping on the phone with another woman about the girl from Wadjda’s school who had been seen in public with the man Wadjda had helped set her up with. This event is very controversial in Wadjda’s community, as it is uncalled for to see a young woman with a man not in her family without her parents’ consent. News spreads like wildfire through the school and homes, which I think shows how standards and the status quo is set. This girl’s business became the whole world’s business almost instantaneously. It is hard to break the status quo because it is backed by an almost-unbreakable layer of societal support and often harsh judgement, which I think is a very prominent message portrayed in this scene.
ReplyDeleteWadjda is determined and defiant from the get-go. She is determined to make money to buy her bike, to beat Abdullah in a race, and even to wear her Converse. She does not give up and constantly berates her mother about this bicycle, her freedom. I think her defiance is really cool, especially because of her young age. It takes a certain level of self-assurance to be able to barter with someone three times your age and not back down.
Alike and Wadjda both experience lots of tension in their households resulting from their parents’ relationships. Alike’s father cheats on her mother, who is well aware of it. Wadjda’s grandmother is actively looking for a new wife for her son (Wadjda’s father) because Wadjda’s mother is infertile. This only complicates the lives of these two girls who are trying to grow in these restrictive environments.
I really like this movie so far. Wadjda is very free spirited and optimistic which makes the film seem light hearted even though times are tough. One scene that stuck out to me was when the teacher told Wadjda to wear black shoes like all of the rest of the girls, but she decided to color in her shoes instead. I thought this scene showed her persistency to stay who she is and not let anyone, even the school principal change that.
ReplyDeleteAnother word I would use to describe Wadjda besides free spirited, is clever. She knows what she wants and she will find a way to get it. For example, Wadjda really wants a bike to race her friend, but since her parents will not get it for her, she does whatever she can to raise money herself even if it means being deceitful. I like Wadjda’s character because of the fearlessness and courage she has even if she knows she might get into trouble.
Both Alike and Wadjda don’t seem to be content in their current lifestyles. One thing that both girls struggle with is their wardrobe and people telling them what and what not to wear. Alike’s mother is very insistent on her daughter looking a certain way and dressing very feminine. Similarly, Wadjda is forced by her school to have a certain dress code when it comes to her shoes and her head dress that she does not agree with. Both girls are living lives that they are not completely satisfied with. I am curious to see if Wadjda continues to rebell throughout the movie like Alike did, or if she conforms to her surroundings. By what I have seen so far, she does not seem like the type of girl to give up on what she believes in.
I have really enjoyed this movie sop far, despite the fact that we've only seen a small part of it. From the moment it started, I felt completely engrossed in the world of the film- something that didn't seem to happen as quickly for me with some of the other films we've watched this term. I really love Wadjda's character and I can't wait to see what the rest of the film has in store.
ReplyDeleteThe word I would use is rebellious, but not necessarily in the traditional sense. She is an independent young girl who is willing to question the rules and expectations her society has for her, and does not understand all of the restrictions put on women. Wadjda is more concerned with having fun and enjoying her childhood, but is reprimanded for doing so. The moment that stuck with me the most in the scene where Wadjda is listening to Grouplove's Tongue Tied (they are a great band, by the way- amazing live!) and her mother calls her music "evil", or when the principle reprimands Wadjda for having love songs which are "forbidden". Also, girls in Saudi Arabia generally aren't allowed to ride bikes, which is something that she wants to do very bad. In order to do this, Wadjda begins saving up money to buy a bike, and is a bit mischievous in her methods of obtaining it, at times. She agrees to deliver a card to a girl named Abeer's brother, but for a price: a price which she made the brother pay as well. Though this was an amusing scene, Wadjda later learns that Abeer was caught with a man outside of her family and was married off by her parents- an idea which seems to scare Wadjda quite a bit. Wadjda doesn't understand why she is forced to follow so many rules that she does not agree with, while her friend, a young boy, is able to do everything that she wants to do.
Alike and Wadjda are both forced to follow very strict societal rules and meet expectations that they simply cannot because it is not who they are. Alike is expected by her mother to dress feminine and to be her idea of a perfect daughter, while Wadjda is constantly being told that her shoes, clothes, and music do not meet the expectations her school, principle, and family have for her. Most notable, however, is the fact that both girls are trying to be themselves and enjoy their lives in societies that don't allow them to be who they are. Alike and Wadjda are both struggling under the pressures of their respective societies, and are expected to be perfect portraits of model young women, painted by their societies' standards and expectations for women and girls. I feel strongly that Wadjda, like Alike, will not let these pressure and expectations hold her back.
1. I enjoy Wadjda so far. The best thing about it for me is getting a glimpse into Saudi culture. I didn’t realize it until we started the film, but I had no idea what Saudi Arabia was like beyond news articles about the oppressive regime and inklings of misinformation I’d pieced together from “sources” such as Aladdin. What has stuck with me the most is the internalized oppression within the women of Saudi Arabia. It’s one thing to see a group in power telling an oppressed group what they can and can’t do and who they should and shouldn’t be. Seeing the oppressed group, here, the women, enforce those rules so strictly on themselves is shocking, and saddening to watch. Seeing the teacher force Wadjda into the uniform identity of what Saudi girls are supposed to be reminds me almost of brainwashing. Like this woman is a robot-enforcer for the patriarchy.
ReplyDelete2. Wadjda is, above all else, absolutely driven. She knows exactly what she wants and she’ll do whatever it takes to get it. Unlike Alike, who was unsure of what she wanted and allowed other people to place their own ideas upon her before finally breaking free, Wadjda takes action from the get-go to try and beat the system to achieve what she wants, buying that bicycle.
3. While I just mentioned that Wadjda’s character initially acts with more agency than Alike’s, both girls eventually understand that they don’t want to fit into the box that the people around them deem appropriate. The most specific instance that the two share is clothing. Wadjda doesn’t want to wear the full headscarf or the same mundane black shoes that the other girls wear. Similarly, Alike doesn’t want to wear the feminine pink blouse that her mother picks out for her. Eventually, Alike changes and realizes that she doesn’t want to dress masculine, the way that lesbians like Laura do, and allows herself to accept the féminity that is true to her character. We see this manifest as she wears a pink hoodie in the final moments of the film.
I love this movie so far. The setting is new and fresh, Wadjda is very charismatic; she gets inside your head. More on that later. The scene that struck me was when she asks for 20 extra rial from the dude she sets helps her friend up with. When I first saw this scene, I couldn’t help but think “Damn, I would never do that. She’s so much cooler than me.” She is so cunning and resourceful, and I admire her a lot for that. All she wants is a bicycle, something trial for many kids in the world, yet it is out of reach, and she will stop at nothing to get it.
ReplyDeleteI see Wadijah as charismatic, at least from my perspective in the audience. We all know what it is like to struggle against the confines we are set in, whether we accept it or not.. From the get-go, we are on her side. Just by action and body language alone we can feel her struggle. The audience is on her side, and even her friends at school admire her for her bravery. Even Wadjda’s mother has to deal with the expectations of bearing a son, and it’s a pity she can’t see her daughter is fighting the same fight.
Wadjda and Alike are both frustrated with not fitting in to the roles that society has prescribed for them. Alike doesn’t want to be straight: she isn't, and she doesn't like going to the club. This is exemplified by when she’s dressing up for church, and doesn't want to wear typical clothing. Similarly, Wadjda struggles with her headscarf and how she is constantly being told to move or cover up because there are men around. The scene where her boy-friend comes at her with his shining bike could not be more symbolic. He is literally more mobile than Wadjda, just because “girls don’t ride bikes”. On top of that, she lsoer her sandwich.
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DeleteI enjoy watching this movie. Although this will be my third time watching it, I feel like it is not a movie I get bored by. There are lots of aspects that continue to draw my eye in, and the fact that it is set in such a different place than where we live keeps me intrigued. One of scenes that stays with me the most from what we have watched so far is the scene when Wadjda first sees the bike she wants to buy. The bike appears to be almost riding on its own along the top of the wall because it is on top of the car. The fact that it appears like this makes Wadjda dream of riding a bike like a fantasy. Bikes can't ride on their own, and in that society, women don't ride bikes either. They are both impossible, yet Wadjda still wants to ride.
ReplyDeleteI think Wadjda is incredibly clever and strong willed. She knows what she wants, and she devises clever and smart ways to do so. For example, when she decides to start earning money for the bike, she gets money from saying the bracelets are extra money and fooling the man with the truck to pay her extra even though she had already been paid. She knows how to bargain and trick people. She does not fit within the society she lives in though. She speaks out when she has thoughts rather than staying quiet, she wants a bike even though it's looked down upon, and she likes western music and other things that aren't allowed in Saudi Arabia. Although she is aware of the dangers of not following the rules, she seems to be a character who does not understand the purpose of the strictness. She doesn't want to be like all the other women.
They both are somewhat outliers in their society. Alike is a lesbian African American girl whose mother does not accept her sexuality. She is treated like she has no place within the family due to her differences. When Alike was being beaten by her mother, she cried that “there is nothing wrong with her” even though she is gay. Wadjda also is out of place in her world. She doesn't want to be muffled by the rules within her society and instead, pays little attention to doing what is told. She is a witty, clever, independent girl who has bigger dreams than those expected of women in Saudi Arabia. One example is when all the girls stop playing outside and go inside to not be seen by the construction men except Wadjda. She doesn't care about being seen by them so she continues to play. Her defiance against the social expectations shows how different she is from other in her life. Both girls don't know their place within their worlds.
I like this movie so far, I'm definitely pulling for Wadjda and invested in her character. She’s so smart and so young it's really inspiring how she sets her mind on getting a bike, and does everything she can to accomplish her goal. Reading the subtitles can be a little difficult at times as sometimes they are not translated perfectly. I think the mother-daughter relationship between Wadjda is very interesting and I’m curious to see how it develops. The scene that stayed with me from the first half was when all Wadjda classmates went inside from playing to hide from the men working on constructions. Wadjda kept on playing her hopscotch game, not caring that she was the only one still outside apart from some older girls painting their nails. I really like this because it introduced us to Wadjda as and individual, she does what she wants, not just what others are doing.
ReplyDeleteI would describe Wadjda as ballsy, she does want she wants with no regard. She seems very impulsive and independent, with no real intentions of assimilating. I really like Wadjda so far, her character is propelling. Something as simple as getting bike is an incredible challenge for women, but Wadjda has her heart set on it. She was particularly ballsy when she confronted the bike shop owner, giving him a mixtape and making him promise not to sell “her” bike.
Wadjda and Alike are both young women in a society full of people and norms dictating who they should be. They both have complicated relationships with their mothers. Neither of them seem to belong in the world that they live in. For Alike, it’s a struggle to embrace her sexuality in a family that expects her to be straight. For Wadjda, she does not fit in with the other girls her age, she wants to be able to ride bikes like the boys. Both of these characters struggle with fitting into the gender roles expected of them by society. They both make an effort to change themselves to fit in with one side more. Wadjda colors her sneakers black to try to match the other girls and Alike tries on a fake dick to try to be the kind of lesbian Laura wants her to be.
1. I really enjoy this film. Although I must admit that the tone seems too upbeat for the subject matter. I would imagine a film dealing with a young girl navigating the oppressive sexist society of Saudi Arabia to be dark and gloomy, but instead we have this blissfully ignorant little girl somehow finding joy and wonder in a world so set against her. The scene that stuck with me was when Wadjda started selling bracelets to get money for the bike. I will admit, I was taken aback by how quickly she took action. She immidialaty had a plan and wasn't going to take no for an answer.
ReplyDelete2. I would describe Wadjda as profoundly naive. Naive because she doesn't truly understand how the world works and the oppression that she faces, but profound because through that ignorance she manages to point out the flaws in the system. Like when she criticizes the driver for arriving early, or challenges the notion that women can't ride bikes.
3. I agree with what everyone has already said. Both Alike and Wadjda are trapped in the expectations how how women should act, dress, and work in society. Clothing provides a big restriction on their characters. Both characters are trying to find out who they are underneath all the layers of oppression, stereotypes, and societal standards.
1. So far, I have really enjoyed this film. This movie carries such a different tone in it than it does in our previos movies. I am struck by the application of humor in this story, which I find refreshing after having encountered the reality of women’s oppression in Saudi Arabia. A particular moment that exemplifies how the humor has relieved me occurs when Wadjda finally purchases her bike. She is able to brag about it to her friend, who earlier proclaimed that girls cannot ride bicycles. Not only did this scene make me laugh, but it also made me happy to see an oppressed person rebel against someone who benefits from an unjust system.
ReplyDelete2. The best word that I can use to describe Wadjda is aware. Not only is she aware of how to use her cleverness to gain money, but she is also partly aware of the social status of women in Saudi Arabia. She notices how women in her society are seen as voiceless objects that are subservient to the wills of their male counterparts. For example, when Wadjda is walking home from school, an older male construction worker makes sexual comments to her; in response, she can only keep her head down and walk away.
3. Both Wadjda and Alike have better relationships with their fathers than they do with their mothers. Personally, I believe that this dynamic comes from the protagonist’s contempt towards what their respective mothers represent: an authoritative figure that wants to change them into their own ideas of what a young woman should be. In Pariah, Audrey wants her daughter to be more feminine and to never be suspected as being gay. She buys her daughter a “girly” dress in an attempt to change the way that Alike dresses. In Wadjda, the protagonist’s mother wants her to accept her “place” as a Saudi Arabian woman which, in this case, would prevent her from buying a bike. The mother breaks a plate after Wadjda has been sent home from school, which signifies her frustration at her daughter for being herself.
I am definitely enjoying this film so far, but it is frustrating me. I have never really known that much about the gender segregation in Saudi Arabia and I never had an idea of how extreme it was. One scene that peaked my interest in terms of this realization was the scene where all of the girls were outside at school. As soon as any man could see them they all went inside. I am a bit confused as to why the women are not allowed to be seen, touched or heard by a man. I suppose it is about modesty and staying close to god, but even then I just cannot wrap my head around why it is so extreme. Although I still respect the culture of Saudi Arabia, I do find their laws around gender and women to be extremely backwards. It seems like that kind of pressure is a very challenging environment for a young girl like Wadja to grow up in.
ReplyDeleteSo far my impression of Wadja is very positive. She is very passionate about what she loves and she would not trade her individuality for anything. It seems as though she is unaware of the laws that segregate her and hold her down, and that causes her to do what she thinks is right rather than what others think is best for her and I respect and admire that a lot. The scene that really made me invested in Wadja was the one of her coloring her shoes. Her teacher told her to wear black shoes like the other girls at her school, and she decides to wear black shoes. Rather than get a new pair, she proceeds to color the ones that she already has in order to make them into black shoes. This scene made me laugh a little bit, but at heart it is very sweet and shows exactly what she thinks of the system she is in.
One thing that these two girls share in their journey to a more fruitful and aware life is their mother figures. Wadja's mother is very domestically conservative and does not support anything that goes outside of her comfort zone. Wadja's mother is similar to Audrey from Pariah in that Audrey also does not support anything that she does not understand. Neither characters put in a whole lot of effort to understand their children and rather than try new parenting tactics, they both try to bend their children to their will regardless of how their children feel about it. This type of influence in their lives is what makes the two characters similar.
I really like this film. The topics of gender suppression portrayed in such a different reality than what is familiar to me are very interesting to see. I also think its super cool that its the first film to be shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and it is such a powerful yet approachable portrayal of important issues for this groundbreaking film to address. One scene that stuck out to me was when Wadja was playing hopscotch and while all the girls rushed inside to avoid being seen by the men on the roof above. I found it very true to Wadja’s character as the one girl commented how all the respectable girls would go inside but Wadja just laughs and keeps playing by herself.
ReplyDeleteI would describe Wadja’s character as honest. This may seem like a strange word to use for her, but I think she is portrayed as completely sure in her ways and beliefs and true to herself in a completely honest way. She is true to herself in a way in which she doesn’t care if shes fitting the norms or following the pack as she believes in her own drive that much. The ways she rebels by wearing the shoes she wasn’t allowed to or is determined to get this bike aren't her trying to be rebellious specifically, but just follow her beliefs and truth. She is also an extremely likable character who you can't help but rooting for as her core is so inspiring.
I think both of these girls could be labeled as “pariahs” in their society. Staying true to themselves means being ostracized by the community that surrounds them. They are both constricted by gender roles in way of clothing and appropriate behavior. Just as Alike is made to change her clothing, Wadja is forbidden as well of any self-expression. Just as Alike is not allowed to hang out with Laura or go to certain parts of town, Wadja is not allowed to get a bike or do the activities she longs to as well. Both of these tales of self-growth and expression of these young women have many commonalities tying back to the restrictions of their societies.
ReplyDeleteSo far I have really been enjoying the film. It has given me some interesting insight into a culture that I am not all that familiar with. The scene that stuck with me the most from the film so far had to be when that creepy construction worker starting trying to catcall Wadjda. This was extremely jarring for me as the overall tone of the movie up to that point seemed somewhat idealistic and happy, but that disturbing experience jarred me back to reality. This only served to remind me that this truly is the reality that many women have to deal with on a day to day basis. To see this happening to someone as young as ten, and to have her think so little of it, tells me that this has been normalized and the society represented here is deeply flawed and in need of revision.
I would describe Wadjda as, above all else, self assured. We can see from the very beginning that she is exceedingly comfortable with forging her own path and does not neet society or her parents breathing down her neck and telling her how to live. Wadjda knows what she wants and even from a young age has the courage and sense of self confidence to take it.
One specific theme that I saw that ties the two movies together is the role of their mothers. While so far, the mother in Wadjda appears to be much more tolerant and loving towards her daughter, there still remains an air of disapproval or worry as to how Wadjda conducts herself, something abundantly present in Pariah. I think that the common thread between these two girls journeys to adulthood lies in their ability to distinguish their own self worth outside of the bounds of what society or specific people in their lives tell them they need to be, something I Wadjda is able to achieve.
I like this film a lot so far. I think that it's cool to see a story set in Saudi Arabia that doesn't focus on terrorism or violence that we usually see portrayed. It's also interesting from a little girl’s point of view. One scene that stuck with me from our viewing today was where the construction worker yelled down at Wadjda and harassed her. I think this stuck with me because I was just shocked that a 30 or 40 year old man would say such a perverted and inappropriate thing to a girl who is only about 12 or so.
ReplyDeleteI really like Wadjda’s character so far. If i had to describe her in one word, I would use the word “strong-willed.” I think that she has a very strong will not to be put down by her mother or her principal when she wants something. Also, with the bike, she is determined to save up enough money to buy the bike, and even though the price is daunting, she sticks with it. I think another part of this is her ability not to be discouraged or scared when something doesn't go her way. I'm excited to see where this strength takes her.
I think that Alike and Wadjda share the experience of having a mother who is strict on what they can and cannot do. In Wadjda, this doesn't happen as severely, but it is still there when her mother tells her that as long as she lives, Wadjda will not buy a bike. In Pariah, the mother is a lot more strict about everything in Alike’s life such as who she hangs out with and what she wears. I think that both of these characters are fairly defiant against their mother’s wishes and will work against those restrictions to find their place in life.
I’ve been excited about finishing the movie since we left Wednesday! This film is yet another new perspective I get to see now. Other than documentaries, this is the first movie I’ve seen that was made/filmed in Saudi Arabia. The setting is really beautiful, and the main family really nice. The movie tackles the oppressive treatment of women in the country, and it’s an important feature of the film, as the main character is a young girl named Wadjda. The movie conveys a multitude of different emotions; some really comedic, some heartwarming, some excitement,etc. Having all of these attributes makes a good movie, as seen with other films the class has watched.
ReplyDelete2. I think the best word to describe Wadjda would be divergent. Though she is defiant, I don’t think she is defiant for the purpose of standing against her society. I think she is living her life without regard to the social expectations of women, and her actions just so happen to defy what is seen as “ladylike”. She is also divergent in the way she thinks; most 10 year olds are NOT that quick witted! I live the scenes where we see Wadjda immediately find a way to make a situation profit her.
As with Alike, the beginning scenes of each respective film set the main characters out as different. In “Pariah” Alike stands out by the fact she is in a lesbian strip club, and when the audience notices she isn’t joining in with any one group. Wadjda stands out among her class, as shown with the focus on her converses. The scene notes the clear uniformity the girls had put upon them, in contrast to the free thinking Wadjda has. Both of them also have a voice of condemnation in their lives, someone who wants to control them. With Alike, her mother tries to control who she’s friends with, where she goes, and all the way down to her sexual orientation. With Wadjda, it is her principal. She constantly tries to suppress Wadjda’s youthful divergence, and both adults are seen as a foil to the characters’ freedom.
1. I liked it! I think it’s such a good movie! Wadjda is such a little rebel and she is so cute. For me, Wadjda is so pure that I fell in love with her as a character almost instantly. She knows what she wants and she sees that other people are unhappy with it but she doesn’t care. I think the mother daughter contrast in this movie is also super neat. One moment that stayed with me the most was when she stayed outside to play even though men could see her. When the teacher comes out, she warns the 2 older girl painting their nails, and when they leave their nail polish outside in their hurry to go inside, Wadjda picks it up for them. She didn’t have to do that, and I think this compassion is a quality that I find very outstanding in Wadjda.
ReplyDelete2. I really like Wadjda. I think if I had to describe her using on word I’d just say different. She wants to ride bikes, which is a traditional boy thing. She is very assertive and knows what she wants. In the linked video, you see her tell a fully grown man what to do. She wears the same beat up converse everyday, not because she doesn’t have better shoes to wear I think, but because it’s her own little way of rebellion. She runs her own bracelet business to raise money to buy a bike against her parents will. Wadjda is so strong willed. She knows what she wants and she isn’t afraid to get it.
3. I think it was very interesting to see how both Wadjda’s mom and Alike’s parents are very concerned about them. They almost seem ashamed of their behavior/personality. They both seem to have grown in up very traditional surroundings. Alike’s parents are in denial about her sexuality, and Wadjda’s mom is very upset when she hears she is not being traditional enough at school. The way both of these characters dress seems to upset the people around them, weather that is the school or their parents.
1. I love this film because of the simple plot line. A young girl living in Saudi Arabia tries to buy a bicycle despite all the social norms that keeping her from buying the bike. I love that this simple story carries such heavy themes such as the restriction of women. One scene that stuck with me was when the principal got mad at those two girls for laughing in the presence of a man. It struck me because it is not something I am used seeing. It seems really oppressive and degrading that there is this culture that is oppressing these women. They have to cover their bodies, are not allowed to be in the presence of men that are not in their families, and have to be married off. However, I am looking at this from a western perspective. I view this culture as deviant from the norms that I have been raised on, and I understand. However, it doesn’t sit well with me that this type of culture exists.
ReplyDelete2. I love Wadjda because she uses her intelligence to get what she wants. She doesn’t listen to the norms that are being forced onto her. I would call her defiant. for this very reason
3. Both Wadjda and Alike both have female authorities telling what they can’t do or be. Alike feels that she can’t be herself because her mother pushes this heteronormative propaganda in hopes that Alike will change while Laura tells Alike to be this AG lesbian; Alike comes to realize that is not who she is either. With Wadjda, she doesn’t have two female authorities coming from different sides but rather from the same side. Her mother shuts her down when she finds out Wadjda wants to buy a bike. The principal of the school is also restricting her because Wadjda is trying to be an independent woman who tries to get what she wants. The principal sees this as a problem and tries to suppress her with her authoritative position of power.
I am enjoying the film so far. Wadjda is very smart and does not let societal views of women stop her from trying to get what she wants, a bicycle. A scene that really stuck with me was when Wadjda was in her room and her mother was talking on the phone about Abeer and how she was caught with a boy. The look on her face made me think that this was the first time that somebody she knew personally was getting in serious trouble for meeting with a boy. It made her realize that the society she lives in does have very strict rules for what is and is not allowed for women.
ReplyDeleteOne word that describes Wadja is cunning. She is a busnesswomen and she is willing to do whatever it takes to make money, even lie and cheat people. She makes Abeer give her twenty dollars and then she tells the boy that she was delivering Abeer’s letter to that he has to give her twenty dollars. She also raises the price on her bracelets because she “broke her back” working in them. She is very intelligent and knows what to say, and is more than willing, to people to get more money from them.
They have both shared incidents of their mothers perpetrating the misogyny or homophobia that they are facing. Wadjda’s mother jokes about marrying her off multiple times, and Wadjda listens to her mother on the phone talking about Abeer and how her parents should have married her off. Wadjda is a very strong young girl and probably does not want to think of a future like of just being married to a man. Alike has to witness her mother's passive aggressive comments towards Laura, like when they are in Alike’s room and her mom insist upon them keeping the door open. Both of these girls have to see or hear their mothers, somebody they should look up to, talk about futures that they do not want for themselves.
1. I like the film so far because it is a very realistic portrayal of the extremely rigid role for women in their society, it is humanized through the lense of the humorous and courageous character of Wadjda. The scene that stayed with me was one of the first in which Wadjda’s teacher caught two girls laughing outside and said to them something along the lines of “a woman’s voice musn’t be heard outside” and “a woman’s voice is her nakedness.” This was very strong and I think the first thing that we heard her teacher say. This struck me because I knew there were many restrictions on women in their culture, but to categorize speaking outdoors as such a scandalous act was shocking to me.
ReplyDelete2. Wadjda came across as a very likable character with a wicked sense of humor. Her character, for me personally, made this film a lot less of a foreign film and actually more a film that hits close to home. I would say she’s relatable because she’s a young girl solely focused on her competitive goal of getting a bike. An example of this is when her mother is telling her about their awful car ride and bad day and the girl slyly asks if her mother could pay for the rest of the cost of the bike. This is a classic hearing and not listening moment that many parents probably encounter with their children. Another example is when we see her in her room listening to popular american music (I think it might have been “Tongue Tied” by Grouplove) and making some bracelets.
3. Both Alike and Wadjda are struggling through conflict between their parents that seems to put them in the middle. In Pariah, in the scene leading up to her mother beating her, Alike is used as the center of their argument with Arthur strongly pushing Alike to “tell her it’s not true” and prove to her mother she wasn’t gay. Wadjda’s parents also seem to fight frequently as the husband (as he was in Pariah) is often out of the house and might be seeking another wife. When pushed, he revealed with Wadjda in earshot that there would be no problem and he wouldn’t have to seek another wife if she just bore him a son. This is a heartbreaking situation that Alike and Wadjda are both facing in their coming of age narratives.
My initial reaction to the film would be pretty positive. Although I have seen this movie before I remembered some bits and pieces, but I still enjoyed it a lot. A moment or scene that stuck with me was when the principle was in the courtyard and said to students they can’t laugh because the men will hear. This stood out to me because it shows how women in Saudi Arabia are placed in society. The men in Saudi Arabia condescend the women and the rules to act or be a women in Saudi Arabia are very strict. This particular moment made me appreciate living in America and not having as strict norms.
ReplyDeleteA word a would use to describe Wadjda is unstoppable. I say this because she is very goal driven and she has a goal of one day getting a bike and works to make bracelets to earn money for the bike. When she is caught, she still keeps the goal in mind and finds another solution to get money. Some of her ideas may not be the greatest but she makes her way to one day hopefully have a bike.
Both Wadjda and Alike are both very self driven. As I said before they both have a Dream or hope and do everything in their power to make the dream a reality. There parents may not be the most supportive but at the end of the day they are both very grateful. They both have mothers but have a rocky relationship which I think drives the girls to work harder to prove their mothers wrong.
I really liked the film. One moment that really stayed with me was when the dad was laying down playing video games. The juxtaposition of a father acting like a child playing violent video games, and the treatment of the women in this society is quite astonishing. I am interested to see more of the hypocrisy within that society about the expectations of men versus women.
ReplyDeleteThe word I would use to describe her is childish. Not in the way its offen used to mean immature, but she is really a child. She is only beginning to understand the weight society will put on her shoulders as a women. But she still has that childish wonder and excitement. I love how she is going against all societal norms and rules because she is so motivated to get a bike and be independent. She does not realize yet that those rules are non negotiable, and seriously enforced. And I am worried the parents may do something drastic like trying to marry her off.
One broad connection is that they are both Young women growing up, and they both want things that are almost impossible to attain in the societies they are living in. Aliké wants to be loved as a Lesbian, but due to bigotry by her mother, kids at school, and others, it is almost impossible for her to attain it. Wadjda wants freedom and just to be a kid. Due to sexism and oppresive laws and societal demands, that is impossible. The main difference between their two stories is that in America, it is possible to find your group or your bubble. Aliké will find her group at Berkley, and a lot of her growing pains will not seem quite as bad once she is grown up. However, Wadjda might be stuck. She can not find her group of independent Women in Saudi Arabia because it is practically illegal. Aliké overcame a lot, however, there were not legal barriers in place like the ones in Saudi Arabia
I like the film so far. What I like is how the film tells us a lot about the characters and the society they live in through a few simple images. The way they have men constant looking down at them when they talk to them from a ledge or a roof is very metaphorical. The film also does a good job or portraying the young women. In this society, women are looked down upon, but Wadjda still finds ways to work the system to her advantage.
ReplyDeleteWadjda is the right combination of curiosity, sassiness and innocence. The fact that her ultimate goal is to buy the bike is interesting. At this point, I think the bike represents independence and freedom.
I think Wadjda is a childish girl. I think she has a bit of a rebellious streak; she is going against the rules at her school and she still tries to make money for her bike even when her mom tells her not to. Alike and Wadjda are similar because they both live in a society when their identity is suppressed. They both understand that there are certain “rules” that society has and they both find their own mischievous ways around it. Alike hangs out with Laura and begins experimenting with her sexuality while Wadjda is very sarcastic and makes fun of people who try to put her down.
I don’t have a particularly strong negative or positive reaction to the first part of the movie. Watcha is is not the type of film that I would normally go out of my way to see. I do think that it is interesting to see inside the extremely conservative society of Saudi Arabia. The acting and directing was solid and I find the characters somewhat intriguing.On the other hand, I feel as though the plot is moving pretty slowly and the scenery is pretty drab so overall I have an ambivalent attitude towards the film so far. I am looking forward to seeing if the second half of the movie produces a stronger reaction.
ReplyDeleteI really like Wajda so far. She is my favorite character and I think the word that best describe her is wily. I say that because she is clever and mischievous and she uses her talents for deception and conning in order to undermine the misogynistic society in which she resides in her own way. I think it is cool that that she is not portrayed simply as a victim of the oppressive patriarchy but instead she is actively resisting even if she doesn’t know that she is. She is saving up to buy a bike, something that girls aren’t supposed to do in Saudi Arabia. While her doing that is not something that will topple that extremely restrictive regime of her nation, it is still significant because she is showing women around her that there is another way.
I think that a major similarity between Alike and Wajda is that they are both a part of families that don’t approve of the way that they carry themselves. Wanda’s mother and teachers don’t like that she doesn’t behave in the way that their society expects young girls to behave. She doesn’t go inside when men can see her and she wants to ride a bike. Alike doesn’t show interest in boys or in things that American society thinks that gild her she should be interested in. Her mother wants her to go participate in their church community and Alike isn’t interested.
ReplyDeleteSo far I have really enjoyed this movie. I have heard about this movie when it came out, but I never had the chance to see it. I like how the whole movie is in the scope of just Wadjda’s perspective and how the plot is so simple, she wants a bike that she can’t have. But I think the gender component about always having to conceal her identity is interesting, and how it is not just about how her family cannot afford the bike. Instead of accepting her fate, she decides to utilize every opportunity to try to get what she wants. One scene I remember is when they are playing hopscotch and all of the other girls go inside because they see that they are in sight of men, but Wadjda stays outside and continues to play.
I would describe Wadjda as independent and confident. It seems as though she does not need to or want to rely on any other person. She is comfortable defying the rules and going outside of what is expected of her. I think these qualities make her a really interesting character, because she seems so much older than she really is. She is wise and although she is not a very vocal character, you can always tell that she is thinking and formulating new ideas in her head.
I think in a broader scheme these two characters share their willingness to defy what is expected of them. But specifically, this bravery seems to come easily to both of them. One of the more obvious things I first think of is the symbol of their clothing in both of these films. Alike is shown changing from clothes her mother would be happy with to the clothes that she truly feels comfortable in. Similarly, we see Wadjda’s mother and teacher pushing her to cover her hair and her face when she constantly finds herself taking it off, not wanting to conform to what she is suppose to do.
So far I really like the film. I enjoy Wadjda’s character, her confidence, intelligence, and her sense of humor. The scene that has stayed with me the most is the moment outside of the school where Wadjda whispers to the other girls that the teacher is coming. Wadjda decides to help out these girls, who didn’t seem to be her friends. I think this shows an interesting part of her character, how she’s able to help others even when she herself is in danger.
ReplyDeleteI would describe Wadjda using the word intelligent. I think her business of selling the bracelets, as well as the incident where she lied to the man with the white pickup just to get extra money shows that she has, or at least constantly uses, her smarts to get what she wants. In a way, she knows how to hustle people. I also think her interactions with her parents, the store owner, and the man in the pickup truck show her higher than normal level of maturity. She can act like an adult and is smart enough to be a child when need be. For instance, when she’s in the principal's office she tones down her sarcastic speech, realizing that in that situation that acting humorous and like an adult might not be the best idea.
I think Wadjda and Alike share a situation where they constantly see other people taking part in the activities that they desire to do. For Alike, it’s watching Laura meet new women and experience love, when Alike herself doesn’t know how. For Wadjda it’s watching the young boys ride their bikes, something she is also unable to accomplish. Both girls see their goals and must struggle through societies expectations to reach them.
If I’m being honest, so far, I don’t really like this film. The reason why I don’t like it is because it portrays the single story that most people have in their heads about Saudi Arabia and about Islam. Why can’t Islam be it’s true self, be more than what people perceive it to be? A scene that has stayed with me is the interaction between Wadjda and Abdullah; I think their meetings are so cute and I like how he shows her things that help her step outside the restrictive culture that she has been placed in.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Wadjda is a rebel. The audience could see that right from the opening shot of her blue-laced Converse in comparison to all the buckled black shoes everyone else was wearing. I really like how it’s in her nature to be who she wants to be and do what she wants to do regardless of her surroundings. As women in restrictive environments like these, it’s really hard to do what you would like to do. You always have to think about others’ best interests. I like how she doesn’t do that. She is clever and independent, something that can’t be said about other women in environments like these.
I think that Wadjda and Alike are similar in finding their place in their worlds because they are both considered outcasts. Regardless of the restrictive forces that compete against them, they still try to find their place in their own worlds. For example, when Wadjda gets in trouble for not covering her face or speaking too loudly, she gets called to the principal’s office. But after her meeting with the principal is over, she goes back to being her rebellious self. I think it’s the same with Alike, too. She never stops trying to find herself even after her mom says “God doesn’t make mistakes,” implying that she believes both her and God don’t support Alike’s search for her lesbian identity.
So far this movie is a lot more interesting than I thought it would be. Wadjda seems to live a normal life that consists of going to school, listening to music, cooking with her mom, and spending time with her dad. This movie breaks so many stereotypes about Saudi Arabia which helps tie this movie in with Pariah and the TED talk "The Dangers of A Single Story". I totally understand why John would show us this film. One of my favorite scenes from this movie was when Wadjda first walked into her room and turned on all of her technology. This scene made the entire movie more relatable because Wadjda turned out to be just a regular girl that was trying to live her life.
ReplyDeleteAs I said before, I can only describe Wadjda as relatable because she comes off as a normal girl. I never would have imagined a movie like this being made in the Middle East because the all of the "single stories" we hear promote a negative stereotype that is filled with sexism. Wadjda helps break down those stereotypes because she wears regular clothes, argues with her parents, and plays video games with her father.
Together, Alike and Wadjda create a perfect view of an adolescent girl growing into herself. Both Alike and Wadjda have to face sexism and gender struggles from a society who is trying to put them in to a box. Alike is growing into life as a confident, black, lesbian woman while Wadjda is defying religious rules by trying to buy and ride a bike. Wadjda's mother and Laura act as the nurturers to their daughter/friend as the go through their journey.
I really like what we have seen of this film. It is something I have never seen before, and the only thing I’ve seen surrounding this culture is Persepolis (book & movie). My attention and interest surprises me, as there is not really a lot going on. A memorable scene for me was when the construction worker cat called Wadjda from up on the building. This behavior is, unfortunately, expected in any culture, but I was especially stunned and disappointed that she would experience this at her young age. The audience also got a look at Wadjda and Abdullah’s relationship. It felt almost like they are an old married couple who, though they constantly bicker, love each other.
ReplyDeleteI view Wadjda as fiendish, but in a charming manner. Throughout what we’ve seen, she is constantly pushing the line, but never quite crosses it enough to do serious damage. Like in the scene where she delivers a note to a classmate’s “brother” and tricks both of them into paying her. Her dishonesty is immoral, yet very clever and no one gets hurt in the process. This moment also highlights Wadjda’s mentality of self preservation. She is driven to always gain something from situations or only do things that help herself. A similar moment is when Wadjda pays gets the store owner to sell her a video game for much less than the original price. Using charisma and wit, the girl is able to charm the salesman and win him over. I really respected Wadjda after watching this part, and appreciate her boldness.
Wadjda and Alike are both young girls growing up in a society that oppresses elements of their lives. For Alike, it’s her sexuality and for Wadjda her outgoing nature as a female. These two characters must navigate harsh realities of their worlds, including pressure from parents, peers, and the broader community, while trying to explore who they are as young women. Also, at the end of both Pariah and Wadjda, they are able to accept themselves and be free. Wadjda finally gets her bicycle and Alike goes to college. One difference between the girls’ lives is their relationship with their mother figures. Audrey, Alike’s mom, is unable to accept the qualities of her daughter that are not considered customary while Wadjda’s mom realizes that her relationship with her daughter is more important than conforming to social norms.
ReplyDeleteAt this point, the film strikes me as a typical American tweenager type of film in which a girl must go through all these steps to achieve her goal. The interesting thing about this film is that she has to do all of this while in a country that limits her actions in every way. The movie is well done in all aspects except for the subtitles because knowing the little bit of Arabic that I do, some of them were mistranslations. A scene that stuck with me was when all of the schoolgirls were packed together and we then got a shot of all of their shoes most of them being plain black shoes. The only one who stood out was Wadjda who was wearing Converse sneakers which is consistent with the girl who we see listening to American music while in the confines of her own home.
Wadjda seems to me like what I know to be a regular 12 year old American girl. What makes her different is the fact that she is this way despite the culture that she has grown up around. She is determined to get her way and too smart for her own good and does not belong in the environment that she is in. It seems like she is almost desperate to be “American” in the way that she wears American shoes, wears American clothes, and makes mixtapes of American music.
Both Alike and Wadjda share a dysfunctional home life in which the mother is the more present figure and the father is loving but either absent or negligent. These relationships then showed how a unorthodox relationship with a father figure can lead to a lack of guidance for a young girls life and leaves them with a need for direction.