They are wrapped in the religiously correct abaya, are not allowed to drive a car, but go their careers confidently. A new generation of women in Saudi Arabia is changing the strict religious kingdom. Rasha Hefzi, for example, was elected to the Jeddah City Council a few months ago. For the first time in the kingdom, women were also able to run for office and cast their votes. But at the first city council meeting, her conservative colleagues wanted to banish her behind a wall. Hefzi didn’t put up with that. “They think they want to protect women by excluding us, enveloping us and placing us under a male guardian. But this is not protection, but siege.”

Or the young Om Saif, who took over a traditional bakery in the old town of Jeddah. With her veil pulled up to her eyes, she gives instructions to her employees and also stands behind the counter herself – a serious sin for many Saudis. But she said to herself: “Don’t be afraid, get the fear out of your head!” and held on to her passion for this work. Also to encourage other women.

Like Rahsa Hefzi and Om Saif, many women are now leading the way. In pioneering work, they fight for positions as politicians, lawyers, editors-in-chief, and entrepreneurs and develop ideas for what innovations this society needs for the future. The two filmmakers Carmen Butta and Gabriele Riedle spent several weeks in the kingdom and met extraordinary women who want to change their country for more than just women – smart, diplomatic and stubborn.

Director: Carmen Butta
Script: Carmen Butta, Gabriele Riedle
Camera: Stefanie Platen
Editing: Philip Gromov, Calle Overweg
Sound: Hasan Hatrash
Editiorial Staff: Marita Hübinger
Production: Gunter Hanfgarn
Stations: ZDF/arte

Bayerischer Fernsehpreis, 2017
Juliane-Bartel-Preis, 2017