“When you isolate women, you isolate the soul of the whole society.” – Hissa Hilal, film subject, The Poetess

Saudi poetess Hissa Hilal made headlines around the world as the first woman to reach the finals of the Arab world’s biggest televised poetry competition, “Million’s Poet.” The Poetess is the inspiring story of a woman risking her personal safety and seizing an opportunity, live on TV in front of 75 million viewers, to use her wit and lyricism to critique patriarchal society and religious extremism, and to urge for a more peaceful Islam.

“It’s so rare to have a documentary on Saudi Arabia, and to have one with a woman who covers her face explaining the history of the imposition of such discrimination is incredible. The Poetess champions the invisible and unexpected women fighting this hard battle for change.” – Rothna Begum, Researcher, Women’s Rights Division, Human Rights Watch