Inshallah a Boy

Loved this film so much. An engaging and intense story of a woman's fight - not struggle - against patriarchal tradition and law. It's so rare for a male filmmaker to write and portray women so realistically and well. It was an intense film and story without ever feeling heavy handed. The film evokes visceral responses in the audience as you follow the main character's quest. The story is both unique in that it deals with Jordan specific laws, however so universal in portraying the ways archaic oppression affects women. Amazing acting by all but particularly by the actress playing Nawal, the main character. Every character felt layered and none felt one dimensional. So impressive that this was the director's first feature and can't wait to see more from him.

"Inshallah a Boy" portrays a poignant and challenging narrative, shedding light on the struggles faced by women in a religious (islamic) society. The director's choice to handle sensitive scenes with subtlety while addressing societal norms and gender biases adds depth to the storytelling. The title itself hints at the societal expectations and challenges faced by women. How did the film leave you feeling about the theocratic regimes? Do you think the religions are designed to control the minds? Who does benefit from the existence of a superpower? And who has been exploited? How the western governments are in peace with the governments violating human and women rights? How come the people in the western world don't care about the genocide in Palestine and the catastrophes happening in a lot of countries such as in Iran, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Anchored by a strong central performance from its leading lady, Inshallah a Boy is an indictment of Jordan's absurd patriarchal norms & religious laws and demonstrates the utter ridiculousness of it all through its story of a recently widowed woman who's forced to navigate the bureaucratic maze that's designed & exists to ensure the subjugation & oppression of the nation's womenfolk.

Directed by Amjad Al Rasheed in his directorial debut, the story covers the never-ending ordeal of our protagonist that begins when a relative tries to exploit the country's inheritance laws to lay claim on her house & custody of her daughter in the wake of her husband's death. Pushed into a corner with not many viable options at her disposal, she makes up a lie that quickly spirals out of control.

The drama is gripping for the most part despite the predictable route it takes and the subplots only lend more weight to the critique. However, what keeps us invested in the journey is Mouna Hawa's emotionally draining act that aptly articulates her character's frustration, suffocation, isolation & agony over the injustice of it all while she's helpless. And the patriarchal mindset is also reflected in how her brother treats her.

Overall, Inshallah a Boy is competently crafted & skilfully narrated but it's the performances that do the heavy lifting here and steer the film past the finish line. A more compact structure, tighter editing & better pace may have benefitted the whole proceedings but what it has in store still makes for a thrilling & heartbreaking story that's worth a shot. One of the better films of its year, this is an impressive first feature from the debutant filmmaker.

A compelling and emotionally charged film that fearlessly addresses critical issues facing women in relation to inequality, inheritance laws, and gender relations. It delves deep into the heart of societal norms and cultural expectations, shedding light on the struggles and resilience of women facing these challenges. The cinematography is nothing short of amazing. It is a touching masterpiece that not only educates but also inspires. It challenges viewers to confront deeply rooted inequalities and question established norms. This movie stands as a testament to the power of cinema in addressing important societal issues and delivering a profound impact.

Wow... what did i just see ??? Goodness me... what an amazing movie , what an amazing story telling , writing , acting , directing... there is nothing , not even one thing wrong about this film. These are everyday people , this is an everyday story , this is real art , this is real acting. Nawal ( Mouna Hawa ) is such a beautiful woman and a fantastic actress. Some may think this is a very slow moving film or boring etc. However , for someone who was born and raised in that region ; i can assure you that these type of deals are part of daily , regular life and again this is the real life , real people real drama at its best...