Watch Saudi Women's Driving School

Saudi Women's Driving School is a thought-provoking documentary film that explores the recent social and cultural shift in Saudi Arabia that allowed women to drive for the first time in the country's history. The film, which premiered in 2019, takes an intimate look at the lives of several young women who enrol in a driving school specifically for women - Aseel Akhtar Driving School - which has been operating since 2018, after the ban on women driving was lifted in Saudi Arabia.

The film is directed by Erica Gornall and produced by a team of women, and features an all-female cast. The main characters we follow throughout the documentary are Amjad Alamri, Laijad al Hathloul, and Shahad al Humaizi, who all come from different backgrounds and face unique challenges as they embark on this life-changing journey of learning to drive.

Amjad Alamri is a mother of three who is eager to learn how to drive after the ban is lifted. Her husband is supportive, but her mother is not quite convinced that it is safe for women to drive. Despite her reservations, Alamri is determined to learn, and throughout the film, we see her struggle with the challenges of driving in a country where it is still a relatively new concept for women.

Laijad al Hathloul is another young woman we meet in the film. She was one of the activists who campaigned for the lifting of the ban on women driving and was arrested in 2018, just weeks before the ban was officially lifted. Despite her activism, al Hathloul is still not quite sure if she wants to learn how to drive, but she enrolls in the driving school to give it a try. Throughout the documentary, we see her grapple with her own fears and insecurities and learn to overcome them with the help of her fellow students.

Shahad al Humaizi is a college student who is excited about the opportunity to learn how to drive. She is the youngest of the main characters in the film and provides a fresh perspective on the experience of learning to drive as a younger woman. Throughout the film, we see her personal growth and her newfound sense of independence as she learns to navigate the roads of Saudi Arabia.

The documentary also features interviews with driving instructors and other women who have embraced the new opportunity to drive. We learn about the challenges that women continue to face in Saudi Arabia, despite the lifting of the driving ban. The documentary does an excellent job of highlighting the social and cultural shift that is taking place in the country, and the challenges that come with it.

Overall, Saudi Women's Driving School is a powerful documentary that provides a unique perspective on the recent changes in Saudi Arabia. It is a deeply intimate and personal look at the experiences of several young women who have taken advantage of the new opportunities available to them. The film is well-made, with strong production values and excellent storytelling. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the ongoing cultural and social shifts happening in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Women's Driving School is a 2019 documentary. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.