Film Reviews by SB

I enjoyed this more than I expected, considering it was a BBC production. Clever vignettes which cross the boundary between the little girl's imagination and the real world lending it a magical quality. OK you have to suspend belief that she could have got away with living on her own till her dad turns up but it was a pleasure to watch their relationship develop and a satisfactory ending.

I was attracted to this as I admire the lead actors and they certainly did their best with such turgid, boring and self indulgent material. I should have realised this would be a waste of an evening when I saw the BBC logo in the opening credits. A reminder of why I cancelled my TV license and took out a Cinema Paradiso subscription instead.

The first series was excellent, the little girls who played Lila and Elena were engaging, the scenery and depiction of Naples was inspiring and seemed realistic (I have never been there) and the plot was gripping. I was looking forward to the second series to see how their story continued.

Alas the second series has really gone off the boil. Margherita Mazzucco who plays Elena brings a stilted woodeness to the part, her character seems fixed in a mixture of teenage sulky boredom with very little variation of facial expression. She hardly every smiles and gives no clue as why so many young men might find this attractive. Though there are plenty inner monologues for which one might just as well read the book. Gaia Girace as Lila is more animated and one feels more sympathy for her predicament. However none of the male characters evoke much sympathy or interest.

I will not be watching any further series.

Wadjida is a determined and spirited little girl who works within the confines of her restricted society to realise her dream. A budding entrepreneur, she uses every means at her disposal to raise the money to buy her beloved bicycle.

I was fascinated to see the glimpse we were allowed into the workings of Saudi society and the frustrations arising from the restricted lives of women, from the big, such as the tussles Wadjida's mother has with her uncooperative driver, to the petty, her needing to try on a magnificent red dress in the ladies loo as there is no women's changing room. The undercurrent of her parent's unhappiness, fuelled by society's expectations of them, does not overshadow the real love and kindness both show towards their daughter.

We are provided with some insights into the Saudi education system, her friend Abdullah's description of his teaching about suicide bombers and the hypocrisy of Wadjida's own teachers are mercilessly exposed.

However this is far from presenting a negative view of Islam. Initially Wadjida sets out to memorise by rote the verses of the Koran she needs to win a competition but with the help of her mother, who has a wonderful singing voice she may not use, one can see Wadjida learn their beauty and meaning.

In the end, it is the kindness and respect of adults around her which leads to Wadjida realising her dream and the last verse of the Koran she learns is finally revealed in its true meaning.