Saudi Arabia's First Female Film Director

Haifaa Al Mansour has just directed one of the first feature films ever to be made in Saudi Arabia. But she won't be able to watch it at her local theater, because cinemas are banned in the kingdom. The film, called "Wadjda," after its protagonist, is billed as the first to be filmed entirely in Saudi Arabia with an all-Saudi cast. It is currently in post-production and being touted for worldwide sales at the Cannes Film Festival. Al Mansour, 39, worked for an oil company until the age of 30, when she decided to give up her job to pursue her passion. She is Saudi Arabia's first female film director, according to the production company. Al Mansour hopes that Wadjda will help to change attitudes to both women and films in Saudi Arabia. (Source)