( CNN ) -- Traditionally , Saudi Arabia has n't had much time for film . The country boasts no cinemas , and until last year , nothing but a handful of shorts had ever even been filmed on Saudi soil . It seems the country is looking to make a change , though . For the first time , Saudi Arabia 's Association for Culture and Arts has submitted a film for consideration for an Oscar . This first is especially momentous in light of the fact that the writer-director also happens to be a woman . The film , called `` Wadjda '' , is named after its protagonist , a young girl who wants to own a bike . The story , created by Saudi 's first female director , Haifaa Al Mansour , is a parable for female independence in a country renowned for setting limits on women 's movements and ambitions . `` I tried to create a character that is not passive , that has a huge love of life . She wants to embrace and pursue her dreams . A lot of Saudi girls are like that ; they have this huge potential , but give up because the culture is very rigid , and they are afraid to challenge everything , '' Al Mansour says . Video : Saudi film breaks boundaries . Filming as a woman in Saudi Arabia -- a country where women are not allowed out in public without a guardian -- was particularly challenging for Al Mansour , who had to direct from inside , conversing with actors using a walkie-talkie . `` Because Saudi Arabia is a very segregated country , I could n't be in the streets when we had our shoot , '' she explains . Film , she says , is not always viewed favorably by Saudi culture . `` Film in general is controversial in Saudi , and there will be people who oppose it because it 's a story told by a woman and because it 's coming from Saudi , and they want to preserve Saudi as this is a very pure place and they think film is corrupt . '' While many are celebrating Al Mansour 's efforts ( it 's picked up a fair share of awards on the festival circuit , including three at the Venice Film Festival ) , she has her critics inside the country . She has even received death threats for her work . `` That does n't matter to me . Everyone in the media business in Saudi receives death threats , '' she says . Read more : Saudi Arabia launches first anti-domestic violence ad . Still , that the country is eager to showcase the movie shows Saudi Arabia is opening up , both in terms of how they deem film and in regards to women 's rights . `` It 's time for Saudi Arabia to celebrate art . This shows Saudi Arabia is changing , '' she says . `` It also shows that Saudi Arabia can be known for more than just oil . It can be known for its culture as well . ''
Saudi Arabia submitted the country 's first Arab film Oscar consideration . The movie , Wadjda , was written and directed by Haifaa Al Hussein , a woman . In Saudi Arabia , women can not be seen in public with men who are not relatives . Al women had to watch the film from inside a car using walkie - talkies .