While the name Haifaa Al-Mansour might not be as well known as some international filmmakers, the trailblazing director will always go down in history as the first woman to direct a feature film in Saudi Arabia, with 2012’s “Wadjda.” Obviously, due to the political and religious climate in the Middle East, women aren’t treated nearly as equal as men are, which is something Al-Mansour dives deeper into with her newest film, “The Perfect Candidate.”

READ MORE: ‘The Perfect Candidate’: Haifaa Al-Mansour Gently Marries Family Tradition & Equality [Venice Review]

And in honor of “The Perfect Candidate” receiving an official theatrical release date in May, we’re thrilled to give our audience an exclusive peek at the trailer for the feature film.

Continue reading ‘The Perfect Candidate’ Exclusive Trailer: Haifaa Al-Mansour’s Heartfelt Drama Arrives In Theaters This May at The Playlist.

Netflix has been doing very well with its crop of YA romance films, with the biggest success being the recent “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” franchise. And it appears the streaming platform isn’t stopping its YA romance wave anytime soon, and the studio has signed one of the best up-and-coming filmmakers to make it happen with the new film, “The Selection.”

READ MORE: ‘The Perfect Candidate’: Haifaa Al-Mansour Gently Marries Family Tradition & Equality [Venice Review]

According to Variety, filmmaker Haifaa Al-Mansour has been selected to helm “The Selection,” based on the first book of a popular series by author Kiera Cass.

Continue reading Haifaa Al-Mansour To Direct Dystopian Romance, ‘The Selection,’ For Netflix at The Playlist.

In 2013, Saudi Arabian filmmaker Haifaa al-Mansour burst on the scene with “Wadjda,” a female coming-of-age story set in a country where women’s rights still lag behind international standards. “Wadjda” was an instant success, launching al-Mansour’s career as a Hollywood filmmaker and landing her projects such as the Elle Fanning vehicle “Mary Shelley“ and the Netflix original “Nappily Ever After.” Her latest film, “The Perfect Candidate,” sees al-Mansour returning to her native country for another story of female empowerment, this time exploring the evolving political opportunities for women in Saudi Arabia.

Continue reading Mila Al Zahrani Is The Face Of Change In The First Trailer & Clips For Venice’s ‘The Perfect Candidate’ at The Playlist.

In “The Perfect Candidate,” the fourth feature film from Haifaa al-Mansour, Maryam (Mila Al Zahrani), a plucky young Saudi Arabian doctor, makes an impulsive decision to run for her local municipal council seat. In a nation where women are not even welcome to openly address a congregation of men, it’s an incredibly bold decision, even though the last decade has seen a series of changes and firsts for women in Saudi Arabia, and a relaxing of strict laws around women and travel, driving, and employment.

Continue reading ‘The Perfect Candidate’: Haifaa Al-Mansour Gently Marries Family Tradition & Equality [Venice Review] at The Playlist.

Filmmaker Haifaa al-Mansour has been the subject of controversy for most of her filmmaking career. After making a series of documentaries and short films, the director burst onto the scene with her film “Wadjda” in 2012. That film is historic as it is the first feature-length film to be shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and the first feature film to be made by a female Saudi filmmaker. And since then, al-Mansour hasn’t stopped, despite getting intense criticism from many in her home country.

Continue reading ‘Nappily Ever After’ Trailer: Acclaimed Director Haifaa al-Mansour Returns With A Netflix Film With Sanaa Lathan at The Playlist.

Between her breakout role in J.J. Abrams’ “Super 8” and more recent ingenue work in films like “The Neon Demon” and “The Beguiled,” Elle Fanning has established herself as one of the most versatile young actresses working today. Slipping effortlessly from one genre to the next, Fanning has demonstrated a certain fearlessness with each project she has decided to take on.

Continue reading ‘Mary Shelley’ Trailer: Elle Fanning Is The Struggling Writer Who Created Frankenstein at The Playlist.

It’s been something of a devastating past few following weeks for women in the film industry as everyone from Harry Knowles to Harvey Weinstein have been called out for sexual assault. It’s all been a harsh reminder of the toxic masculinity that poisons the corridors of Hollywood. However, what’s been encouraging to see throughout all of this is the community of women coming together to support and champion one another and their works.

Continue reading Women And Hollywood 10th Anniversary Trailblazer Awards Honor Patty Jenkins, Amma Asante, More at The Playlist.

In 1818, “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus” was published and became an almost immediate sensation. “Mary Shelley” is the story of its author and the creative inspiration behind the groundbreaking book. Well, eventually. Before we discover the titular writer’s genius, we must endure a fusty period drama that unfolds with such a startling lack of imagination, it’s nearly remarkable how conventional the production is, particularly when the life and famed work of Mary Shelley is so boldly unconventional.

Continue reading Elle Fanning Plays ‘Mary Shelley’ In Biopic Of ‘Frankenstein’ Creator [TIFF Review] at The Playlist.

Doug Liman To Direct 'Splinter Cell' Starring Tom Hardy, Justin Lin Heads To 'Times Square' & More

Continue reading Doug Liman To Direct ‘Splinter Cell’ Starring Tom Hardy, Justin Lin Heads To ‘Times Square’ & More at The Playlist.

Review: Saudi Arabian Film 'Wadjda' Is A Phenomenal Debut From An Exciting New Talent

Continue reading Review: Saudi Arabian Film ‘Wadjda’ Is A Phenomenal Debut From An Exciting New Talent at The Playlist.