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cancelled: THE PERFECT CANDIDATE [SAUDI ARABIA], WED 2 DECEMBER, 6:30PM

By August 10, 2020December 11th, 2022archive, Season 23 films

A revealing look at the changing roles of women in Saudi Arabia from director Haifaa Al-Mansour (Wadjda), The Perfect Candidate follows Maryam, a determined young doctor who runs for city council after the male incumbent repeatedly ignores her request to fix the muddy road leading to her clinic. Maryam and her family mobilise their determination and creativity to move their traditional society forward.

In this assured and watchable picture, al-Mansour gives her audience a fine lesson in some key ingredients of political life in Saudi or anywhere else: nepotism, cynicism, sexism and chaos.The Guardian ★★★★

Saudi feminist drama is forthright and free from poeticism. For Haifaa al-Mansour, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the progress made by courageous women like her.Independent UK ★★★★

A subtle message movie from one of the world’s most important filmmakers.NME ★★★★

93% Rotten Tomatoes

Saudi Arabia, 2019 | Language: Arabic | 101 minutes | Cert: CLUB

Director: Haifaa Al Mansour

Cast: Nora Al Awadh, Dae Al Hilali, Mila Al Zahrani

Foreign language films are subtitled.  Cert CLUB for over 18s.