What Walaa Wants

About

What Walaa Wants | Christy Garland | Palestinian Territories | 2018 | 56 min

Raised in a 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, with an intimate POV and the exuberant energy of its subject, this first-ever look inside the Palestinian police academy brings us the story about a young woman navigating formidable obstacles, learning which rules to break and follow, and disproving the negative predictions from her surroundings and the world at large.

Awards

DGC Special Jury Prize – Canadian Feature Documentary @ Hot Docs 2018

Margaret Mead Filmmaker Award Winner @ Margaret Mead FF 2018

Women in Film + TV Artistic Merit Award @ Vancouver IFF 2018

Best Documentary Feature @ Forest City FF 2018

Hilal Award for Best Film @ Ajyal FF 2018