The Perfect Candidate

The Perfect Candidate is a groundbreaking socio-political drama from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and directed by the celebrated filmmaker Haifaa al-Mansour. The film marks a pivotal moment in Saudi cinema, a country where the seventh art was banned for over three decades until 2018. Leading the cast is Mila Al Zahrani, followed by co-stars Mohamed Othman, and Nora Al Awad.

The film revolves around the character of Maryam, a hardworking, ambitious young doctor in a small-town clinic, portrayed flawlessly by Al Zahrani. The character Maryam is caught in the vortex of societal norms and prejudices, working in a male-dominated environment. Though she is highly competent and dedicated, she regularly faces gender discrimination and bureaucratic obstacles that hinder her path to success and respect.

Mohamed Othman plays the character of Maryam's father, Abdulaziz, a musician who nostalgically clings to cultural traditions while struggling to understand the progressive views of his daughters. Nora Al Awad takes on the role of Maryam’s younger sister, Selma, who works to uphold the modern notions of womanhood in their household.

Throughout the movie, Maryam's life takes a dramatic turn when she decides to run for the local municipal council. She embarks on this political journey not out of a passion for politics, but due to a series of frustrating events related to her work, the spark of which is her inability to travel for a medical conference because her travel permit expired. This occurrence forces her to confront the patriarchal red tape that first prevented her travel and then unexpectedly nudged her into politics.

The film unfolds from here, offering a glimpse into the prevailing surroundings and presenting Maryam's struggles and perseverance. The societal restrictions, traditional bias, and resistance to change become the significant hurdles Maryam must surpass in her electoral campaign. Her decision to run for public office and the subsequent campaign journey make several inroads, challenging orthodox notions about woman’s roles and abilities.

The Perfect Candidate does an outstanding job of portraying how Maryam’s campaign proceedings are perceived with divided viewpoints, and how it affects her relationship with her family, work and the general society. Everyone including Maryam is thrown into a dilemma – a conflict between traditions and modernity, patriarchy and feminism, and private and public life. She must navigate all these while being in the public eye.

Her father Abdulaziz, for instance, despite his initial bemusement, demonstrates progressive thinking that is symbolic of a society slowly bending towards change. Abdulaziz's traditional music group's journey intersects interestingly with Maryam's campaign, underlining the commonality of struggles they share against conservative society's standards.

Al-Mansour, who broke barriers as the first female Saudi filmmaker, breathes life into the story with her perceptive storytelling techniques. She showcases intricately layered human emotions, empowering narratives, cultural nuances, and political undertones in The Perfect Candidate. The movie is a testament to Al-Mansour's mastery in portraying the strength and resilience of women in the face of adversity.

The viewer is therefore invited to walk along with Maryam as she traverses the potholes of politics, workplace inequalities, societal pressure, and cultural norms. All while she continually redefines her role as a daughter, sister, doctor and a woman in modern Saudi Arabia. The film succeeds in exposing the gender disparities yet does so not with anger, but with gentle humor, warmth, and intelligence.

The visceral performances of the characters contribute to the film's soul, blending in perfectly within al-Mansour’s carefully etched narrative framework. The rich detailing and authentic portrayal of Saudi culture along with the high production quality add another dimension to the film, making it a must-watch.

The Perfect Candidate, in essence, is a salute to the individuality of women and a tribute to their gut-wrenching bravery in breaking and reshaping societal stereotypes. Thus, it becomes a powerful narrative of female empowerment and resilience in the face of societal pressure and gender bias. It is an important narrative in today's world, not just for Saudi Arabia but globally, making it an emblematic movie for the gender equality revolution.