Summaries

This is the story of a Saudi woman who grabs the opportunity to speak against religious extremism and stands up for a peaceful Islam. This is Hissa's story.

In 2010 Saudi poetess Hissa Hilal made headlines around the world as the first woman to ever make it to the finals of "Million's Poet", an Abu-Dhabi based Million Dollar reality television show. It is the Arab world's biggest poetry competition, and it is dominated by men. In her poems Hissa criticizes the patriarchal Arab society and she attacks one of the most notorious Saudi clerics for his extremist fatwas, live, in front of 75 million viewers. Hissa Hilal is the voice from behind the veil: Her word is her weapon. We'll never see Hissa's face. Like the majority of Saudi women, Hissa is covered from head to toe. She is not allowed to drive a car. She doesn't own a passport. And she requires consent from her husband for any sort of activity. But then, coming out of nowhere, Hissa is suddenly breaking news in the biggest Western and Arab media. How did she gain the knowledge and the courage to step on stage and risk her life?

Details

Genres
  • Biography
  • Documentary
Release date May 30, 2018
Countries of origin Germany United Arab Emirates
Official sites English German
Language English German Arabic
Filming locations Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Production companies ARTE Das kleine Fernsehspiel (ZDF) Brockhaus/Wolff Films

Box office

Tech specs

Runtime 58m
Color Color
Aspect ratio 16 : 9

Synopsis

All Filters