Saudi Arabia, where cinemas are banned, will compete for Oscars next year, for the first time. A femenist film Wadjda will represent Saudi Arabia at Oscars. THe film is directed by Haifa Al Mansour. announced an official of Saudia. The movie tells of a young girl's quest to own a bicycle in an ultra- conservative Muslim Kingdom, where women are deprived of many right, among them driving. The film will compete for the best foreign language film category, in a first for the kingdom. The head of the Saudi Arabian Society for culture and Arts Sultan Al Bazie told that the decision followed, " the success of film and its director which it has acheived at many International Film festivals." Directed by first Saudi Arabia female filmmaker and shot entirely in the Gulf state, the film won best Arabic feature film award at Dubai film festival last year and picked up an award ion Cannes in march. WAdjda was co-produced by Germany's Razor Film and several Saudi companies, including Rotana studios which is linked to a member of Royal family. But, the film first rteleased in France, will only be seen on DVD in the Kingdom or on television. Haifa has said that she was forced to direct which was her first feature film from a van with a walkie-talkie in some of the most conservative districts where she could not been in public together with her male crew and cast members. She said in certain areas screaming local residents would obstruct shooting altogether. Women in Saudi Arabia can not travel abroad with out a guasrdian in public places where male and female mix. The Kingdom remains the only country where women are banned from driving. They must also cover from head to toe when in public, among other restrictions. In April local media reported that religious authorities have allowed Saudi women to ride a motor bike on condition that a male relative or guardian is present with her while she rides. They must aslso wear a long traditional black Abaya cloak.
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