Past screening

What Walaa Wants

Directed by: Christy Garland
Runtime: 1hr 29min Year: 2018
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Details

Directed by: Christy Garland
Runtime: 1hr 29min Year: 2018
Country: Canada, Denmark
Last Screened: Tue 9th Mar 2021

Young, wilful and headstrong, Walaa has set her sights on becoming one of the few women in the Palestinian Security Forces a big challenge for a girl who breaks all the rules.

This International Women’s Day, meet Walaa, a young Palestinian woman who’s determined to follow her dream.

Raised in a refugee camp in the West Bank while her mother was in prison, Walaa has had to grow up fast. To her family’s surprise, and disapproval, she applies to the force and gets in, but basic training involves a lot more discipline than Walaa might have imagined.

Following her from age 15 to 21, What Walaa Wants is a real life coming-of-age story capturing a brilliant young woman navigating formidable obstacles as she learns which rules to break and which rules to follow.

“Walaa is a force… it is refreshing to see a film that portrays such a proud, resilient, young Palestinian woman. You will remember Walaa.” POV Magazine

In partnership with the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival.