Haifaa Al-Mansour on 'Unidentified' and Saudi Arabia's Transformation

Haifaa Al-Mansour, the first Saudi female filmmaker to gain international recognition with 'Wadjda' (2012), discusses her new thriller 'Unidentified' (Spanish title: 'La mujer sin nombre'). The film, produced entirely in Saudi Arabia with public funding, follows a complex female protagonist who refuses to be marginalized. Al-Mansour, who splits her time between Saudi Arabia and Los Angeles, notes that the making of her films documents societal change: while 'Wadjda' was shot from a van due to segregation, 'Unidentified' allowed her to work openly on the streets. She co-wrote the script with her husband, starting from the end to solve narrative puzzles. The title refers to the practice of omitting women's names in funeral prayers, which Al-Mansour challenged by including the name on screen. She praises actress Mila Al Zahrani as a transparent collaborator. The film also explores evolving masculinities in Saudi Arabia, portraying men who respect women without romantic subplots. Al-Mansour expresses optimism about Saudi Arabia's cultural opening, citing the Riyadh Critics Conference as evidence of growing sophistication. She emphasizes that cinema can introduce small changes within a traditional, tribal society.