‘Inshallah a Boy’ Director Amjad Al Rasheed Braces for Controversy as he Shows Women Who Say No
variety.comMarta Balaga In “Inshallah a Boy,” selected for Cannes’ Critics Week, women talk about sex and pregnancy, they also address misogyny and social injustice.
But most of all, they say no. “The main idea was to talk about a woman who refuses something that’s considered normal in her society,” points out director Amjad Al Rasheed, celebrating his feature debut.
In the Jordan-set film, Nawal (Mouna Hawa), after her husband’s sudden death, finds out that according to local inheritance law, and because she “only” gave birth to a daughter, his family might be entitled to everything she owns, including her home.
Out of options, she pretends to be pregnant again. Despite its Cannes premiere — and his previous win at Venice’s Final Cut — Al Rasheed remains cautious when discussing the film’s future reception at home. “I can’t predict people’s reactions, but I am going to be honest: there are already plenty of negative comments out there.
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