Interfaith Journeys
  • Home
  • Interfaith Journeys
  • Stella Reekie

Wadjda

28/7/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
I had the opportunity during the holidays of seeing the film "Wadjda" which tells the story of an 11 year old girl in Saudi Arabia who dreams of owning a bicycle. The film well portrays the conservative nature of Saudi society and the confined place of women where there is often a conflict between  public and private life. It shows how the strict imposition of religious law can lead to hypocrisy.  But the story  is told with humour and its basic message is one of liberation and hope.  

Afterwards I happened to get talking with a woman who had seen the film and felt the need to share how much the film had upset and depressed her.  She was focussing on the position of women in Saudi society, equating it with women in Islam and felt the situation rather hopeless.  I, however, found the film very hopeful. For one thing it was the by first full-length feature film ever shot in Saudi Arabia by Saudi Arabia's first female film director and the credits stated that it had been filmed with the permission of a Saudi prince. This film is a critique of the place of women within the traditional society of Saudi Arabia and as such is a sign of hope.   It challenges the preconceived ideas of how Muslim women should dress and conduct themselves both in public and in private.  I am sure it will be considered controversial by many traditionalists  but it has surely opened up an area for discussion and debate which can only push boundaries and open up new horizons. 
 
Non-muslims often criticise the religion because of what they see as the oppression of women and point to traditional dress as proof of this.  This film shows that women in traditional societies struggle with the same kind of issues as other women do and are capable of criticising their own society and culture.  This kind of criticism is not alien to interreligious dialogue.  In dialogue we try to understand the other's perspective, particularly if we do not at first understand the culture or tradition and in some instances find it disturbing.  But we are also challenged to consider our own perspective and reconsider some our own religion's approach to questions such as the place of women.  Interreligious dialogue can lead to intra-religious dialogue and it is this dialogue which is transformative. "Wadjda" is a contribution to this intra-religious dialogue and a film that will challenge and uplift anyone who cares to watch it.


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I am  a Catholic nun, involved in interfaith relations for many decades.  For me this has been an exciting and sacred journey which I would like to share with others.

    Picture

    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013

    RSS Feed

    Categories
    Religious Performances
    ​​

    All

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.