MovieChat Forums > Wadjda (2013) Discussion > Won't they punish the cast for breaking ...

Won't they punish the cast for breaking the law?

posted 10 years ago by aykutsgn
15 replies | jump to latest

Let me say that I loved the movie as a Turk and as someone who's interested in the cultures of the countries with mostly Muslims in it (I refrain from saying "Muslim countries", because I don't think religion is for a country, but for the individual), such as Iran, Saudi Arabia etc.

So, my question is: If it's against the law to shoot a movie in Saudi Arabia, won't the cast be punished for breaking the law as Saudi Arabia citizens? I know the sharia law is pretty harsh (which I hate, BTW). For those who loved this movie, I would recommend The Stoning of Soraya M., which is based on a true story and depicts the Islamic republic of Iran.

[–] milktea123 10 years ago

I doubt it. Nothing has happened so far, so probably they probably won't.

[–] bob the moo 10 years ago

What laws do you think were broken by this film? I think you are confusing taboos with laws - for sure the film challenged taboos but as far as I am aware the film did not break any laws in the Kingdom.

For sure it is not true that "it's against the law to shoot a movie in Saudi Arabia".

As the director said in an interview "A lot of conservative people, not officials, a lot of conservative people don’t want to see women making films. So they are not very happy. But I tried to respect the laws of my country. I wasn’t trying to break the law and make a radical film. There are certain rules for censorship. I followed every single one of them".

I'm not trying to downplay what Wadjda is - it is taboo pushing and a very unusual film to see come out of such a very conservative country, but this is very different from it being an illegal or law-breaking film. After all, let's not forget that Wadjda is Saudi's candidate for the 2014 Oscars in the best foreign language category, which should again tell you that this is not an illegal film that had to be smuggled out of the country on SD cards.

Be still Moriarty, do you want us both out of this suit?

[–] milktea123 10 years ago

tAlso, I feel like I must add something to my previous post... There are plenty of TV programmes that are shot, and featured in Saudi Arabia with a mixed-gender cast and they're even shown on Saudi Arabia's national TV channels. So, no, not illegal at all. It is, as you said a taboo for some to appear in television/film as actresses but not illegal, or uncommon.

[–] Ammn 10 years ago

lol who the hak told you that? It's not against the law to shoot a movie in Saudi Arabia and not taboo as well!

[–] syildirim89 10 years ago

Then why it's the first feature length film that was shot there?

'And Saint Attila raised the hand grenade up on high saying, O Lord bless this thy hand grenade'

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ompeace 10 years ago

Not sure why someone lol'd the question. I mean come on. Most everything is illegal there.

[–] filmfancy 10 years ago

For those who loved this movie, I would recommend The Stoning of Soraya M., which is based on a true story and depicts the Islamic republic of Iran.

The Stoning of Soraya M. is not for the faint-hearted. It is an excellent film but really can't be compared to Wadja. Wadja is for the most part light-hearted and viewed through a child's eyes. The Stoning of Soraya M. is a very harsh look at what happens when a woman is accused of adultery in an Iranian village. I believe it is a true story. I was sobbing as I watched the ending, unlike with Wadja whose ending put a smile on my face.

And all the pieces matter (The Wire)

[–] alinoste 10 years ago

I read an article that said she had to jump through hoop after hoop just to get the movie made and that it was especially difficult because she's a woman. But because she was very careful and adhered to the (ridiculous) rules that women abide by, she was actually able to make the movie. She actually said that if she had made a movie about women's rights or if anything challenged Islamic law, it never would have had a chance of happening. But a little girl with a bike isn't nearly as threatening, and that's why the movie was a success and able to be made. Also, The Stoning of Soraya M. is one of the most incredible movies I've ever seen, no one seems to have heard about it but it had such a huge impact on me. I recommend it highly to anyone on this forum!

[–] hppg 10 years ago

That's interesting. And very sneaky. It was not just about a girl on a bike, but I can see how if that's what you were looking for, that's what you would see. Very impressive.

[–] PsychoDingo 10 years ago

The Stoning of Soraya M is becoming pretty well known among fans of world cinema, thanks to folks like you promoting it via word of mouth (word of keyboard?)

some other middle eastern films that should be seen by viewers interested in the general topic of gender barriers include:

Offside
The Circle
Women Without Men
At Five in the Afternoon
Frontrunner

all of those are very good movies. some have a more western sense of entertainment value than others, but each is strong in what it does, and they all handle the subject matter intelligently. none is as devastatingly "in your face" as Soraya M

2014 Screenings: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054830628/

[–] hppg 9 years ago

I don't get how she got around that. Did nobody read between the lines? The entire movie is about the subjection of women in Islamic culture lol. It's not about a girl with a bike. I find it so funny the director said that. I guess nobody saw the problem because they are used to it. You'd think they'd have realised by now though.

[–] lythandrel 9 years ago

The film was made with the permission of the government.

[–] benman46 9 years ago

There are no such laws. If there were, the film wouldn't have been allowed.