Scales Review: A Visually Compelling Feminist Parable Featuring Mermaids Scales Review: A Visually Compelling Feminist Parable Featuring Mermaids
Saudi helmer-writer Shahad Ameen offers a bold, and boldly visual, take on the position of women in a patriarchal society.
Alissa Simon, provided by
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Running time: Running time: 76 MIN.
The position of Saudi women as second-class citizens receives a potent metaphoric visualization in Saudi helmer-writer Shahad Ameen’s parable-like debut drama, “Scales.” Revealing more through imagery than dialogue, the tale unfolds on a barren island where tradition dictates that each family sacrifice a daughter to the sea maidens to ensure the local fishermen a good catch. , with the taut first third particularly strong. But the narrative’s momentum and clarity dissipate in the middle and final sections even as the visuals continue to impress. Still, the boldly inventive “Scales” marks Ameen as a talent to watch.