Haifaa Al Mansour's Thriller 'Les Silences de Riyad' Hits Theaters August 5

Saudi director Haifaa Al Mansour releases her fifth feature film, 'Les Silences de Riyad', a thriller set in Riyad where a young policewoman, Nawal, investigates the death of an unidentified teenager in the desert. The film explores gender inequality and societal masks worn by women in Saudi Arabia. Al Mansour considers it the missing piece of a trilogy with 'Wadjda' (2012) and 'The Perfect Candidate' (2019), all featuring female protagonists challenging societal roles. The director aims to offer a captivating cinematic experience while addressing social issues without lecturing. Al Mansour, the first female filmmaker from Saudi Arabia, studied literature at the American University in Cairo and film at the University of Sydney. Her previous works include 'Mary Shelley' (2017) with Elle Fanning and Douglas Booth, 'The Perfect Candidate' (2019), and a short film for Miu Miu's Women's Tales series. 'Les Silences de Riyad' releases in theaters on August 5.