What Walaa Wants

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 discouragement from her family, Walaa applies - and gets in. But her own rebellious behavior and a complicated relationship with her mother are a challenge, as are the circumstances under which she lives. Following Walaa from 15 to 21, this first-ever look inside the Palestinian police academy brings us the story of 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.

Director: Christy Garland

Cast: Walaa Khaled Fawzy Tanji, Latifa Abu Draa, Mohammad Tanji, Samia Khaled Tanji, Noaam Tanji

Audience-only score — full critic data not yet in the ReelXO vault.