Saudi Arabia’s Academy Awards contender, Hijra, is more than just a film—it’s a masterpiece of storytelling that intertwines artistry, culture, and emotion in a way that’s both intimate and universal. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the film is deeply rooted in Saudi traditions, its exploration of loss, identity, and the evolving role of women challenges conventional narratives, sparking conversations that transcend borders. Hijra was selected as Saudi Arabia’s submission for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, and it’s easy to see why. The film begins with a quiet, almost meditative focus on the bond between a grandmother, Sitti (Khayriya Nazmi), and her two granddaughters, Janna (Lamar Faden) and Sarah (Raghad Bokhari), before expanding into a profound reflection on memory, loss, and transition. When Sarah disappears during their pilgrimage to Mecca in 2001, the story transforms into a poignant exploration of how individuals navigate grief and change, not through dramatic twists but through the emotional landscapes they traverse. And this is the part most people miss: the film’s true power lies in its ability to turn a physical journey into a spiritual and emotional odyssey, mirroring the complexities of women’s experiences in Saudi society. Shot across nine regions of Saudi Arabia, Hijra uses its geography as more than just a backdrop—it becomes a character in its own right. The light, terrain, and atmosphere aren’t just setting the scene; they’re extensions of the characters themselves, grounding the film in the textures and rhythms of its place. Khayriya Nazmi’s performance as Sitti is a masterclass in subtlety, drawing on her decades of experience in Gulf theatre and television to portray a woman whose strength emerges through patience, observation, and emotional restraint. Her nomination from the Asia Pacific Screen Academy is well-deserved, as she carries the film with a quiet accumulation of gesture and memory that feels deeply authentic. The supporting cast, including Lamar Faden and Nawaf Al-Dhafiri, showcases the diversity and talent of Saudi Arabia’s emerging actors, each bringing a unique depth to their roles. Director Shahad Ameen, building on the thematic questions she explored in her debut Scales, adopts a more observational cinematic style in Hijra. Working closely with producer Mohamed Al-Daradji over three years, she crafts a film where emotion is conveyed as much through atmosphere and environment as through dialogue. The result is a work that allows its themes to emerge gradually, with intention and impact. Supported by the Saudi Film Commission’s Daw Program and other national initiatives, Hijra is a testament to Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in long-term film development and the cultivation of distinctive artistic voices. Its selection at the 2025 Venice Film Festival further underscores its ability to resonate with international audiences. As Hijra enters the Academy Awards race, it stands as a cinematic achievement that seamlessly weaves performance, landscape, and emotional nuance into a story that is both deeply Saudi and universally relatable. But here’s the question: Can a film so rooted in cultural specificity truly transcend borders, or does its impact inevitably depend on the viewer’s familiarity with its context? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation worth having.
