This month was the Girls Run the World edition. We looked at films that featured fierce young women in the lead role from different time periods, countries and cultures. These characters all challenge the norms imposed upon them within their worlds and make their own way. Here were the choices…

 

 

And the winner was…

Wadjda 

PG | 1h 38min | 2012

Director: Haifaa Al-Mansour (as Haifaa Al Mansour)

Stars: Waad Mohammed, Reem Abdullah, Abdullrahman Al Gohani

 

 

 

Here’s what the teen audience had to say…

 

FINAL RATING: 8 out of 8 slices

Every PaaM night, we ask our teens to give us their honest reviews of the winning movie. We then select voices that capture the range of opinions and critiques. Read what Momo, Jasmine & Anissa (Film TRaC Stars) and Jia & Dorothea (Serial PaaMers) thought about this pioneering film.

Choose three words to describe the movie.

Momo: Refreshing, Humorous, Interesting.

Jasmine: Relatable, Empowering, Unique.

Dorothea: Motivational, Different, Interesting.

Jia: Breaking boundaries, Moralities, Religious.

Anissa: Freedom is earned.

What was your favorite scene? Bonus: Why? **SPOILER ALERT!**

Momo: The end where Wadjda and her mother were overlooking the father’s wedding and the mother presented Wadjda with a new bike. For the 2 characters, they both lost something but earn something as well.

Jasmine: When Wadjda recites the Koran because the lesson she has was one that I had gone through when I was taught how to read the Koran.

Dorothea: When Wadjda won the competition because she was so determined and eventually found her inner strength to win.

Jia: When Wadjda stood with the two “sinners” for the prayer because although she sort of betrayed them, she still wanted to be their friend  and stood up for them when no one else wanted to.

Anissa: When the school principal announces to the audience how Wadjda should be set as an example for the rest of the girls without knowing her intent.

Would you recommend this to a friend? Why or why not?

Momo: Yes, I would recommend the movie to a friend because it was interesting to learn about a story for a new perspective, especially, as girl from an oppressive society in Saudi Arabia.

Jasmine: I would recommend it to my Muslim friends and siblings because they can relate to it as well as myself.

Dorothea: Yes, it was something new that I had never seen.

Jia: Yes, because it really broadens one’s horizons and shows a different culture.

Anissa: Yes, to see for themselves what customs and privileges women in Saudi Arabia do have.

 

 

 

Join us for the next FREE Pizza and a Movie!
FRIDAY, MAY 4
RSVP @ https://teens.artsconnection.org/paam/

How to RSVP for Pizza and a Movie Night:

Seating is limited, so you must lay claim to your seat & slice by selecting “Free Ticket- RSVP HERE” on the Pizza and a Movie event page at teens.artsconnection.org/paam/ Fill in your information and you will receive a reminder email the day before the event. Please let us know exactly how many people you’ll be bringing. If you have any questions, feel free to email Briana, Assistant Program Manager – Teen Programs at 

PLEASE NOTE: This is a TEENS ONLY event.