A determined young doctor runs for city council after the incumbent repeatedly ignores her request to fix the muddy road leading to her clinic. Despite the community’s struggle to accept her as the town’s first female candidate, her creative and ambitious campaign becomes a symbol for a larger movement. As with her ground-breaking debut Wadjda, filmmaker Haifaa Al-Mansour explores the pressing issue of women’s rights through the microcosm of one character, showing that change may be slow to come, yet it can start with the smallest act of bravery.

Reviews

‘The framing of one woman against the world could seem overfamiliar, but is played with brilliant confidence. Every woman’s uphill battle will look different, and here is one fleshed out admirably.’
★★★★
Ella Kemp, Little White Lies

‘The Perfect Candidate is fiery and headstrong, and instantly gets you on its side.’
★★★★
Xan Brooks, The Guardian