WADJDA, the first film shot in Saudi Arabia tells the story of an enterprising Saudi girl who signs on for her school’s Koran recitation competition as a way to raise the funds she needs in order to buy the green bicycle that has captured her interest. This is a unique film that offers insight into another culture and understanding of the oppression of women that live there. “It’s mind-blowing to me that a movie about the oppression of women was made in the exact environment it depicts,” comments KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Cassandra H.  See her full review below.

WADJDA

Reviewed by Cassandra Hsiao

Video review available here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxfJDVVTTFA

A poignantly triumphant movie, the storyline of “WADJDA” is just as phenomenal as the story of how the film came to be. In short, “WADJDA” represents quite a number of firsts. It’s the first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia, a country where cinema is prohibited. Writer and director Haifaa Al Mansour is Saudi Arabia’s first female filmmaker. It is also the first submission from Saudi Arabia for the Foreign Language Category for the 2014 Academy Awards.

Set in a country known for its repression of women, the movie follows our title character—a 10-year-old spirited girl—in her journey to buy a new bicycle so she can race her best friend, neighbor and crush Abdullah. Even though Wadjda’s mother warns her to stay away from both bikes and boys because of their culture’s strict customs, Wadjda is determined to buy her bike with her own hard-earned money, no matter what the consequences. This, in turn, leads to joining a Koran competition at school. If she wins, she will have more than enough to buy a bike and therefore beat the boy next door.

Subtly, the film explores the repercussions from this society in which girls should only be seen, not heard and, in public, only their eyes should be seen, with the rest of their faces covered by black veils. Wadjda tests boundaries in her search for freedom of expression. Although she discovers the contradictions in her world, she’s determined to challenge women’s traditional roles. The movie covers major topics such as polygamy and child-brides, as well as smaller oppressions such as the restriction of driving and rules of women in the presence of men.

It’s mind-blowing to me that a movie about the oppression of women was made in the exact environment it depicts. On DVD, the making-of featurette explores in-depth the struggles and challenges that faced director Haifaa Al Mansour. The line, “respectable girls go inside,” is said to Wadjda in the film, and Mansour confronted the same problems. She had to direct her cast out-of-sight using a walkie-talkie to communicate with her cast and a monitor to watch the filming. She could not be seen working with men and often, when religious officials would come to inspect the bustle, production would be halted and moved to another location. It took close to five years to make the movie, but the effort is worth it.

First timer Waad Mohammed is perfect as the fun-loving rebel Wadjda. This film is rated PG and I recommend it for ages 10 to 18. The pace may be slow for kids under ten. This is truly a landmark film that the world needs to watch. I give it five out of five stars. Perhaps the most uplifting message is that although the plot is fiction, the remarkable story behind the movie is not, and that shows that revolution is possible. This film played in theaters last year and will be released on February 11 on DVD/Blu-ray.

Credit: KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions

Ignoramus, an Aldo Zelnick Comic Novel, is now available from Bailiwick Press. An illustrated novel for middle-grade readers, Ignoramus continues the laugh-out-loud adventures of 10-year-old Aldo Zelnick. If there’s a more inopportune date for an elementary school boy to have a birthday than February 14th, Aldo Zelnick wants to know what it is. With his 11th birthday-and Valentine’s Day-fast approaching, Aldo plans a guys-only party with absolutely no pink,lace, or hearts, thank you very much. But, what will happen if the girls, who all seem to have a crush on Also’s friend, Danny, crash the party? My son and I loved this book and I really liked that Aldo’s friend Bee contributes to Aldo’s sketchbook. My son (who is 10) found the book so funny and interesting that he read it within an hour or so. He couldn’t put it down! My son also loves the Wimpy Kid series but thinks Aldo is smarter and can relate more to him.

The Aldo Zelnick books, hardcover novels for 7-to 13-year-olds, feature the hybrid half-text, half-illustration format made popular by the Wimpy Kid series. The series starts 10-year-old Aldo Zelnick, a budding artist who hates physical activity but loves bacon. When Aldo’s grandmother gives him a blank sketchbook for recording “all his artsy-fartsy ideas,” a reluctant Aldo begins writing and drawing the story that becomes the first book in the alphabetical series, Artsy-Fartsy. You may remember SoCal City Kids reviewing the other books in the series! We are big fans and are looking forward to the next! This one would make a great upcoming Valentine’s day gift!

Check out the Aldo Zelnick website! For more information, you can also check out Bailiwickpress.com.

Self Disclosure: I received Ignoramus for free but any opinions expressed are my own.

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
I didn’t know what to expect when I received this book to review. I’m typically not real big on Medical type books and they don’t keep my interest. I was pleasantly surprised by this book though because it was an interesting easy read with no complicated medical words. One of my favorite chapters was Ch. 8: Rosemary and I liked reading about the medical uses and also really enjoyed the recipes such as Almost-Famous Rosemary Bread and Garlic Rosemary Chicken. There are other recipes thru out the book and I really enjoyed reading about pain management without pain meds. Personally, I’m not big on medications and enjoyed reading about the more natural ways. Very refreshing!

We have added a Giveaway! To enter, simply leave a comment below! One winner will randomly be selected from all entries! Deadline to enter is February 3, 2014!

Self Disclosure: I received this book for free but any opinions expressed are my own.
Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Directors Stephen Judson and Greg MacGillivary who specialize in these big format nature films really surpass themselves in this incredible Imax 3D film about the South Pacific. You will take an underwater voyage to Indonesia where you learn about its inhabitants such as giant rays and whale sharks as well as efforts being made in the region for ocean conservation. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O says,” Not only that but this film is in 3D as well, together making a spectacular IMAX adventure that make you feel like you’re in the movie.” See his full review below

Journey to the South Pacific

Reviewed by Gerry Orz, age 11, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Video review available here.

Interview with the director available here.

This documentary, as you can guess from the title, is about fish and sea. Unlike many documentaries, this one doesn’t just educate you it also tells you a warming story.

This film has a lot of different things that everyone would love. It has education, geography, comedy, music, fish, culture and many more things everyone would enjoy.

The story begins when a young boy lives on an island in gorgeous Indonesia. What is very unique about the story is that it follows a boat that travels to different islands and takes kids from each on a “floating school” where they dive, play fun games and, of course, learn about fish. When the young boy goes on this boat, he leaves home for a couple months for a wonderful aquatic adventure.

My favorite scene is when they talk about the corals singing and they show different marine species making sounds with music-like voice overs and, the funny thing is, they do it in a chorus-like rhythm. I love it because it’s light hearted and funny.

Unlike most new movies, this film was taped on a real film, not digital. This gives more in-depth colors. And, it’s shot on Imax film which is ten times larger than 35mm which gives better quality because of the larger frame. Not only that but this film is in 3D as well, together making a spectacular IMAX adventure that make you feel like you’re in the movie. The director does a wonderful job as does the narrator. I’m impressed.

This movie is definitely suitable for ages 1 to 18. Younger kids would not understand it completely but they would still enjoy the colors and the music. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.  This movie is available in select Imax theaters nationwide.

Credit: KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions