"Wadjda, the Young Feminist" shows the harsh reality of Saudi Arabia through the daily life of a girl.
This film soberly illuminates the long-standing abuses of women's rights in Saudi Arabia, a country where women are required to cover their entire bodies when going out, are prohibited from traveling without a permit, are prohibited from using public spaces alone, and are banned from cultural activities, cycling, and driving.
It also criticizes the complacency of those who discriminate and are discriminated against as if it were natural without even recognizing gender discrimination.


The reality is bleak, but the story that Wadzda tells is not entirely dark and heavy.
The bubbly and lively girl Wadzda's activities make me laugh and gain positive energy.
Wadzda's constant challenges and efforts to change the stifling reality create a miracle in a reality that seems unchangeable.
So, 『Young Feminist Wadzda』 is both challenging and hopeful.


Gender inequality is not a problem that only occurs in Saudi Arabia.
In the 2019 Glass Ceiling Index, which calculates the level of gender equality, Korea ranked last among the 29 OECD member countries.
This is a truly shameful result, considering that the world was amazed by the rapid economic development, and K-pop by BTS and the movie "Parasite" were recognized in the global market, making the country famous.
Gender inequality is also evident in schools.
Expressions that are hateful to women, such as “kolfemi,” “doenjangnyeo,” “mamchung,” and “kimchinyeo,” are rampant among students, and 60% of teachers have encountered misogyny.
Accordingly, in 2018, a national petition was created demanding ‘mandatory feminism education in elementary, middle, and high schools.’
There are growing calls for feminist education, and it will begin soon.


In that respect, 『Young Feminist Wadzda』 has great significance.
By experiencing, thinking, and solving problems together with Wadzda in everyday life, rather than just in theory, young people can naturally learn the true meaning of feminism, understand gender equality, and learn the courage to change their own society into an equal one.
In our current reality, where gender discrimination is unconsciously perpetuated due to old patriarchal customs and traditions, this work allows young people to naturally recognize, empathize with, ponder, and discuss feminism.


[Author's Note]

I grew up with wonderful girls with tremendous potential.
But they were oppressed in a closed society and withered away without even realizing their potential.
Girls couldn't even dream, couldn't even try.
I wanted to show the real daily lives of Saudi Arabian women through 'Wadjda'.
I wanted to find a starting point for change in reality, and I hoped that many people would see, hear, and feel it together.


The purpose was not to criticize the social structure itself.
I wanted to sound an alarm to people who are just living their lives with the feeling of powerlessness that they cannot change the social structure.
In that sense, it was a great joy for me that Saudi Arabian women were able to ride bicycles thanks to Wadjda.
It is a miracle that it changed the minds of people who firmly believed that 'women cannot ride bicycles' and led to social discourse.

"Wadzda" is a story about hope.
It is not just a critique of the negative reality, but a story about a positive future and the direction we should take going forward.
I hope this story will inspire women, especially girls, not only in Saudi Arabia but around the world to dream of and achieve a better future.


It is truly worthwhile to constantly challenge and strive to change the stifling reality.
The new generations that will lead the future will create their own lives more honestly, boldly, and resiliently than they do now.
I believe my generation has the will and power to change difficult situations in ways we could never have imagined.
I applaud and support you as you boldly build your own lives.

-Saudi's first film director, Haifaa Al Mansour