This film is part of Rentals
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_480x270/public/hero-images/perfect-candidate-1920x1080.jpg?itok=MR5lppK0)
The Perfect Candidate
Celebrated Saudi director Haifaa Al Mansour (Wadjda) returns with an inspiring drama about a young doctor unexpectedly becoming an electoral candidate.
Director: Haifaa Al-Mansour
Overview
Despite being a highly competent doctor, Maryam’s road is paved with compromises and complications – including a flooded path leading to her clinic, the dangers of which are not taken seriously by local officials. When her attempt to drive to a medical conference is stymied by not having the right papers, she finds her only solution is to sign up to be an electoral candidate, allowing her easy access through road blocks. However, as the responsibility of local politics dawns on her, she ropes in her sisters, one of whom is a wedding videographer, to mount an increasingly visible campaign, challenging Saudi Arabia’s strict social codes and what is expected of a young woman in the country. Meanwhile, her father follows her progress from afar – having received a permit to perform in public spaces for the first time in his career as a musician. His tender but steadfast support of his daughter, coupled with his regret at not being able to share the joy of his own tour with their late mother, is a moving – and timely – reminder that change can be a long process. But in the end, it really is worth the struggle.
Related
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Rosalie-05.jpg?itok=bfxGGvgb)
Rosalie Rosalie
Period drama 2024 115 mins Director: Stéphanie Di Giusto
Enchanting tale of female empowerment in 19th century France, based on the true story of a famed ‘bearded lady’.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Nature-of-Love-The-01.jpg?itok=9e_1b5hJ)
The Nature of Love The Nature of Love
Comedy 2023 112 mins Director: Monia Chokri
Sharp and sexy comedy that offers a fresh take on desire and fidelity in the 21st century.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Green-Border-01.jpg?itok=-YVcr1Za)
Green Border Green Border
Drama 2023 152 mins Director: Agnieszka Holland and 2 more
Three-time Oscar-nominee Agnieszka Holland returns with a powerful, timely and unflinching exploration of the current migrant crisis.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/AHouseInJerusalem-01.jpg?itok=9SyTSTlz)
A House in Jerusalem A House in Jerusalem
Drama 2022 104 mins Director: Muayad Alayan
After moving from the UK to Jerusalem, young Rebecca strikes up a mysterious and an unlikely friendship, in this poignant tale of loss and longing.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/KIDNAPPED_02.jpg?itok=f015pyVD)
Kidnapped Kidnapped
Historical drama 2023 134 mins Director: Marco Bellocchio
This enthralling Italian historical drama depicts the kidnapping of a young Jewish boy, who is then sent to the Vatican to be converted to Christianity.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Birthday_Girl_02.jpg?itok=xsdw_NB2)
Birthday Girl Birthday Girl
Drama 2023 95 mins Director: Michael Noer
Heart-pounding Danish drama about a mother’s desperate attempts to unmask her daughter’s attacker on board a cruise ship.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Shoshana.jpg?itok=wGzyi-UW)
Shoshana Shoshana
Historical drama 2023 121 mins Director: Michael Winterbottom
A young Jewish woman’s relationship with a British policeman stationed in British Mandatory Palestine has lasting consequences for the region in Michael Winterbottom's powerful thriller.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Red_Island_03.jpg?itok=18utnSaZ)
Red Island Red Island
Drama 2023 117 mins Director: Robin Campillo
French writer-director Robin Campillo offers a searching exploration of memory and politics, in this boldly conceived story of boyhood in 1970s Madagascar.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/TheTasteOfThings_04.jpg?itok=c_tDBMnA)
The Taste of Things The Taste of Things
Drama 2023 135 mins Director: Trân Anh Hûng
Tran Anh Hùng directs Juliette Binoche in this delicious culinary romance that leaves no crumbs. Winner of the best director award at Cannes.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Origin-Of-Evil-01.jpg?itok=pCkyM5fW)
The Origin of Evil The Origin of Evil
Thriller 2022 123 mins Director: Sébastien Marnier
Laure Calamy stars in this devious, involving French thriller by Sébastien Marnier, playing an outsider tangled in a web of upper-class family malice.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Nezouh.jpg?itok=dk3mqyZG)
Nezouh Nezouh
Drama 2024 104 mins Director: Soudade Kaadan
Enchanting feminist coming-of-age drama, from award winning Syrian director Soudade Kaadan.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Copa71_05.jpg?itok=3-YzF6Yh)
Copa 71 Copa 71
Documentary 2023 90 mins Director: Rachel Ramsay and James Erskine
Buried for 50 years, this is the untold story of the 1971 Women’s World Cup – a tremendous, televised rollercoaster ride and a historic moment in football.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Rosalie-05.jpg?itok=bfxGGvgb)
Rosalie Rosalie
Period drama 2024 115 mins Director: Stéphanie Di Giusto
Enchanting tale of female empowerment in 19th century France, based on the true story of a famed ‘bearded lady’.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Blur-to-the-End-01.jpg?itok=8Wi31NTg)
blur: To the End blur: To the End
Documentary 2024 104 mins Director: Toby L
Britpop legends Blur reunite for their biggest gig at Wembley Stadium, in this raw documentary steeped in nostalgia.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Orlando-03.jpg?itok=zefoVv5g)
Orlando, My Political Biography Orlando, My Political Biography
Documentary 2023 98 mins Director: Paul B Preciado
A trans and non-binary cast explore the incarnations of Virginia Woolf’s enigmatic protagonist.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Nature-of-Love-The-01.jpg?itok=9e_1b5hJ)
The Nature of Love The Nature of Love
Comedy 2023 112 mins Director: Monia Chokri
Sharp and sexy comedy that offers a fresh take on desire and fidelity in the 21st century.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Green-Border-01.jpg?itok=-YVcr1Za)
Green Border Green Border
Drama 2023 152 mins Director: Agnieszka Holland and 2 more
Three-time Oscar-nominee Agnieszka Holland returns with a powerful, timely and unflinching exploration of the current migrant crisis.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Our-River-our-sky-01.jpg?itok=p9xO8tL8)
Our River... Our Sky Our River... Our Sky
War 2021 118 mins Director: Maysoon Pachachi
A small Baghdad community searches for hope in the face of unpredictable violence, turmoil, and loss.