What Walaa Wants

Name: What Walaa Wants
Director: Christy Garland
Released: 2018

Christy Garland 2018

Raised in the largest refugee camp in the West Bank while her mother was in prison, Walaa dreams of being a policewoman, wearing a uniform, avoiding marriage, and earning a salary. Despite warnings that ‘no women should be in the army’ and that she’ll bring shame on the family, she applies – and gets in. But her own rebellious behaviour and a complicated relationship with her mother are a challenge, as are the circumstances under which she lives. Following Walaa from 15 to 21, this first-ever look inside the Palestinian police academy brings us the story about a young woman navigating formidable obstacles.

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Running Time:	86 min.
Subject(s):	Conflicts, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Middle Eastern Studies, Politics, Women, Youth
Language(s):	Arabic
Subtitles:	English
Director(s):	Christy Garland
Producer(s):	Anne Köhncke, Matt Code, Christy Garland
Cinematographer:	Christy Garland, Hanna Abu Sada
Editor(s):	Michael Aaglund, Graeme Ring
Production Company:	Murmur Media, Final Cut for Real.

Press

Variety

A classic coming-of-age story with a girl-power message, about a bullheaded Palestinian girl who decides to become a police officer.

Jay Weissberg
POV Magazine

Walaa is a force. The immensity of her presence is undeniable. In a world that continues to dehumanize and victimize Palestinian people, reducing lives to numbers without names or stories, it is refreshing to see a film that portrays such a proud, resilient, young Palestinian woman. You will remember Walaa.

Amy Siegel
Fraktalorg.de

Always at eye-level with her young protagonist, Garland creates an intimate portrait of a rebellious girl who follows her dream, sometimes out of control, but always persistent. A great documentary.

Festival Participation

Berlinale - 2018
Hot Docs - 2018
DGC Special Jury Prize - Canadian Feature Documentary
Vancouver IFF - 2018
Women in Film + TV Artistic Merit Award
DOK.fest München - 2018
Vancouver IFF - 2018
Forest City FF - 2018
Best Documentary Feature
Ajyal FF - 2018
Hilal Award for Best Film

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