One of the most significant female cinematic figures in the Kingdom, Saudi Arabian director Haifaa Al-Mansour continues to push the boundaries of filmmaking and make history with her series of relatable stories and strong female protagonists. Her latest film The Perfect Candidate — nominated for Best Film at the Venice Film Festival, FEST International Film Festival and the London Film Festival — opens with a female doctor driving to work in Saudi Arabia, a statement in itself with women banned from driving in the Kingdom until 2018.
“The pace of modernisation in Saudi Arabia is incredibly rapid right now,” said Al-Mansour. “We are seeing so many changes, happening so fast, that it is hard for people to fully grasp the full extent of what is happening. I wanted to capture this moment through my film [The Perfect Candidate], of a society in transition, and the ways these changes are perceived from people.”
Al-Mansour’s newest release, however, isn’t the only Saudi-located film to make it our must-watch list, with two more female-led stories also set in the Kingdom. Al-Mansour’s portfolio also includes a feel-good rom-com and a romantic period drama that follows the story of Frankenstein author Mary Wollstonecraft. Here are five Haifaa Al-Mansour films to watch now.
