Arabic Cineforum at Taalhuis – “Wadjda” (Haifaa Al-Mansour, 2012)

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Discover Mediterranean Cinema at Our Monthly Cineforum

Join us in our improvised Mediterranean cinema to explore classic films and hidden gems from across the region. Our school hosts an annual Cineforum, a curated series of film screenings for everyone interested in Mediterranean languages and cultures.

This month, we spotlight Saudi Arabia with a screening of Wadjda (2012), directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour.

Event Details

Date: Friday, 12 December 2025

Time: 19:00–22:00

Location: Gerard Doustraat 220

Ticket: €17.5 (includes one free drink)

Program

19:00 – Introduction

19:15 – Film

21:00 – Drinks

Each month, we transform our space into a cozy cinema and present a film in one of the Taalhuis languages, all centered around a common theme. This season’s theme is woman, highlighting women’s stories from the Mediterranean basin and the Netherlands. All films are shown in their original language with English subtitles, and each screening begins with a short introduction to enrich your viewing experience.

After the film, we end the evening with a drink in our café, where you are welcome to discuss the film with fellow movie lovers, language learners, and culture enthusiasts.

About the Film: Wadjda

Original title: وجدة

Director: Haifaa Al-Mansour

Year: 2012

Duration: 1h 38m

Language: Arabic

Subtitles: English

Set in early 2000s Riyadh, Wadjda follows the story of a determined 10-year-old girl who dreams of buying a green bicycle she sees every day on her way to school. Despite bicycles being considered inappropriate for girls, and her mother refusing to purchase one, Wadjda is determined to earn the money herself. She tries everything from selling mixtapes to making colorful bracelets, all while pushing against societal expectations of what girls should or should not do, and what they are allowed to desire.

But Wadjda refuses to give up on her dream.

INTERESTED? YOU MUST REGISTER VIA WEBSITE HERE