Gender Equality: Foreign Language Films

My teacher, Miss.Barton, sent me links to these two films after reading my 'Student Questionnaire' in which I discussed the United Nations 'He For She' Campaign movement, in the attainment of rights for women becoming equal to those of men.
I therefore felt inspired to create this post exploring how gender inequality is represented in different countries. Both these films directed by females, so cover how females are discriminated against.

Wadjda:

This first clip, below, is the official trailer for 'Wadjda' which was directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour. She is one of Saudi Arabia's best-known, yet most controversial, filmmakers. She's the first female Saudi filmmaker, and after doing some more research into her background, it's clear that she has focused on women's issues in order to show the wider world the truth about what previously was a closed off topic.

The film itself is a truly eye-opening plot line, highlighting gender inequality in this part of the world. Wadjda, an 11-year-old school girl, who just wants to have a cycling race against her male friend, Abdullah.
It's such a simple idea of wanting to ride a bike, yet the young girl is refused that. The society around her see it to be frowned upon for a women to ride a bike. In such a basic way, the film represents the way female rights are less respected than a mans.

Haifaa Al-Mansour has so cleverly put the film together, showing how this young girl is denied her basic rights of freedom, in comparison to a males.
Such a stunning piece of work which was even selected as the Saudi Arabian entry for the 'Best Foreign Language Film' at the Academy Awards, which was the first time that the country made a submission for the Oscars, but wasn't nominated.

Buddah Collapsed Out Of Shame:

This second film clip, below, 'Buddah Collapsed Out Of Shame' is a 2007 Iranian film directed by Hana Makhmalbaf, an Iranian filmmaker. This was her first feature film, which won an award at Festival Du Nouveau Cinema in Montreal, Canada.

The film takes place in modern Afghanistan, following the removal of the Taliban.
The 5-year-old Afghan girl, who lives in caves under the remains of the Buddhas which the Taliban destroyed, wants to attend a newly opened school. The young girl is desperate with the idea to attend school and get an education.
But what at first seems like a charming story of an ambitious young girl, soon turns dark and is hauntingly effective for the audience to come to the realisation of the society influenced conditions which the girl has to suffer during the strict Taliban rule; with male domination, war, poverty and dire children's games.
The harrowing contrast between the idea of the young girl only wanting to be in education, with the relentless obstacles she has to overcome to have such a basic privilege which everyone should have access to.

Something as simple as education is something that every human should be given the right to.
This girl is denied that right, even though she tries to overcome that. The female director clearly shows how gender seems to define the rest of that person's life. To us, the idea that someone wants to go to school, yet isn't allowed, seems ridiculous! But this was the norm at that time, however unfair that may seem.

Both of these films are focused around young girls, therefore the innocence of these characters are even more emphasised. The idea that these young, underserving girls have such prejudice and discriminational views exposed to them from the day they're born.

These films are stunningly powerful in their presentation of rights for women. It shows how where we live, we are incredibly lucky and privileged to have the rights that we do. But sometimes in our society that's forgotten and taken for granted.

Although, the situation of gender inequality is improving, it's still clear that parts of our society are dictated by gender. Even in our society today, gender inequality is still prominent in many aspects of life; opportunities in many different occupations are defined whether you are male or female.

Gender inequality is also present in the media industry. Men are the dominant patriarchy of the industry.
In my line of work, Radio Broadcasting, it is clears this is true. The majority of my colleagues are male, yet this has not prohibited my progress, I am lucky that no one I have worked with has restricted me or thought less of me because of the fact I am a girl.
But this is transferred and can be seen in the professional, high-level, part of the radio industry. For example, on Radio 1, between 6:30am and 10pm on a normal weekday, there are 7 presenters, only one of them is a female.
This fact does upset me, yet also inspire me. I think I want to go into the media industry, but specifically radio broadcasting. I do believe women are just as good as men in this role.
The male dominated industry is something I do think will change, with more girls going into media, making it a more equal industry where you are judged on ability and not your gender.