Switzerland

Synopsis

Muna is a fearless, young woman from Saudi Arabia. Her arranged marriage is imminent and a life without rights and free will seems inevitable. Tired of being controlled by the State and patronised by her family, Muna decides to take matters into her own hands and plans an escape.
With unprecedented courage and determination, Muna begins to film, documenting every nuance of her claustrophobic existence. Her phone becomes her accomplice and her weapon. Secretly, she exposes the archaic patriarchy under which she lives, the preparations for her wedding and in turn, her impending escape.
Muna knows that her honeymoon will be her last chance to run away. But will her meticulous plan succeed?

Director's Statement

Muna is one of the strongest-willed and most courageous women I know. Unprecedented, as a Saudi woman, Muna dares to speak up. She shares her pain and offers us a glimpse into a hidden world. Although the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is at the centre of world affairs, very few authentic images of life there exist. Muna’s story is of great urgency and relevance and essentially summarises a human rights drama at its core.

Director's Biography

Susanne Regina Meures is a Swiss-German filmmaker who gained attention with her debut film, RAVING IRAN, which premiered in 2016, has been shown at over 130 film festivals world-wide, won numerous awards, and went on to be a success in the cinemas. SAUDI RUNAWAY is her second feature-length documentary, which had its World Premiere at Sundance Film Festival 2020, and its European Premiere at Berlinale Film Festival 2020.

FILMOGRAPHY:
2020 SAUDI RUNAWAY
2016 RAVING IRAN
2013 JULIE WANTS MORE, short
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Cast & Crew

Directed by: Susanne Regina Meures

Written by: Susanne Regina Meures

Produced by: Christian Frei

Cinematography: Muna

Editing: Christian Frei, Thomas Bachmann

Original Score: Max Richter, KS Elias

Sound: Jacques Kieffer

Nominations and Awards

  • European University Film Award 2020
  • European Documentary 2020
  • Documentary Selection 2020