or


[10/14/19 - 10:00 AM]
Documentary "Saudi Women's Driving School" Debuts October 24, Exclusively on HBO
This eye-opening film documents the lives of self-reliant women in Saudi Arabia who challenge western stereotypes of their country's gender dynamics, while exercising their long-awaited right to drive.

[via press release from HBO]

DOCUMENTARY "SAUDI WOMEN'S DRIVING SCHOOL," EXAMINING THE CHANGING LIVES OF WOMEN IN SAUDI ARABIA FOLLOWING THE RECENT LIFT OF THE LONGSTANDING BAN ON FEMALE DRIVERS, DEBUTS OCTOBER 24, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

For many Americans, getting a driver's license is a mundane rite of passage. For women in Saudi Arabia, who were only allowed to drive legally starting in June 2018, it's a critical step along the road to independence. Debuting THURSDAY, OCT. 24 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), SAUDI WOMEN'S DRIVING SCHOOL documents this change with a rarely seen look inside the Kingdom and unprecedented access to The Saudi Women's Driving School, the largest such complex in the world.

The documentary will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and partners' streaming platforms.

This eye-opening film documents the lives of self-reliant women in Saudi Arabia who challenge western stereotypes of their country's gender dynamics, while exercising their long-awaited right to drive. A rare, first-hand look into the private homes and spaces in which these strong-willed women exist, the documentary explores how all women's lives are changing in Saudi Arabia, the hope that they have for greater gender equality, and the challenges they face in a country that appears to be making strides forward, but continues to silence and jail female activists.

Women featured in the film include Sarah Saleh, a saleswoman at a car showroom who is taking driving lessons for the first time in hopes of finally owning her own car; Shahad al-Humaizi, a rideshare driver who sees the lifting of the ban as the first step towards greater rights for women; and Amjad Al-Amri, an engineering student and part-time racing driver who dreams of winning a world championship.

In September 2017, King Salman announced by royal decree that he was removing the ban on female drivers - a law that for decades was seen by critics as one of the clearest signs of discrimination and inequality between the sexes in Saudi Arabia. As a result of the ban being lifted, the capital city of Riyadh is now home to the largest driving school in the world, operated exclusively by and for women. With a staggering 250 cars and 700 instructors, The Saudi Driving School still struggles to meet enormous demands from Saudi women who yearn to get behind the wheel.

Saudi Arabia was the only country in the world where women were not allowed to drive and while most women in the country seem eager to put misogynistic laws in the rearview, the same cannot be assumed for much of the patriarchal Kingdom's male population. Five weeks before the ban was officially lifted, several women who had campaigned for the right to drive were arrested and accused of destabilizing the Kingdom. Nearly 18 months later, the final charges against them have still not been made public by Saudi authorities.

After Saudi Arabia lifted the ban on female drivers, many activists shifted their focus to the issue of male guardianship - a set of laws and social restrictions that require adult Saudi women to get the permission of a male guardian to obtain a passport and travel abroad, among other basic freedoms. But in July 2019, Saudi Arabia announced that it would allow women to travel without the permission of a guardian, although rules around marriage still remain.

SAUDI WOMEN'S DRIVING SCHOOL was directed by Erica Gornall; produced by Nick London; executive produced by Fiona Stourton. For HBO: executive producer, Nancy Abraham; senior producer, Sara Rodriguez.





  [october 2019]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[11/22/24 - 01:31 PM]
Video: "Suits LA" Arrives February 2025 - NBC
The all-new spinoff of the beloved legal drama, starring Stephen Amell, Lex Scott Davis, Josh McDermitt, and Bryan Greenberg, lands on the West Coast.

[11/22/24 - 12:11 PM]
Video: Peacock Releases First Look at the Third Season of Emmy Award-Winning Reality Competition Series "The Traitors" Returning January 9 with Alan Cumming as Host
Last season, "The Traitors" became the #1 unscripted series in the U.S. across all streaming platforms during launch week, according to Nielsen.

[11/22/24 - 10:15 AM]
Apple's Drama "Your Friends & Neighbors" Lands Early Season Two Renewal
Starring and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Jon Hamm, "Your Friends & Neighbors" will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, April 11 with two episodes, followed by one new episode weekly through Friday, May 30.

[11/22/24 - 09:01 AM]
Apple Original Films' "Fly Me to the Moon" to Premiere December 6, 2024
Since its debut in theaters worldwide, the film has received the Verified Hot certification on Rotten Tomatoes by fans.

[11/22/24 - 08:03 AM]
Peacock Exclusively Streams Blumhouse's "Speak No Evil" Beginning December 6
The psychological horror thriller stars James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough, Scoot McNairy, and more!

[11/22/24 - 07:35 AM]
2024 "Emirates NBA Cup" Championship Game Exclusively on ABC and ESPN+ December 17
In addition, ESPN platforms will exclusively present a semifinal game and a quarterfinal game as part of its 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Knockout Round coverage.

[11/22/24 - 07:12 AM]
Peacock and Sky's Original Hit Drama Series "The Day of the Jackal" Scores Second Season Renewal
In the US it ranked #1 on Peacock's Top 10 TV Shows on its platform and was a Top 5 streaming original in the US for its opening weekend (according to preliminary Nielsen data).

[11/22/24 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "Chef's Table" Volume 7 - Official Teaser - Netflix
Meet five world-class chefs who redefine culinary boundaries with delicious, innovative dishes honoring their diverse cultures and personal philosophies.

[11/22/24 - 05:41 AM]
"They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce" Set for January 2025 on ESPN
Airing on Friday nights/early Saturday mornings, the new personality-driven, one-hour program will take its inspiration from traditional late-night television, emphasizing a comedic approach throughout all five scheduled episodes which run in conjunction with the finale of the NFL regular season and playoffs.

[11/22/24 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "Ad Vitam" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After escaping an attempted murder, Franck Lazarev (Guillaume Canet) must find his wife Léo, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious group of armed men.

[11/21/24 - 04:01 PM]
"Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die" Premieres December 10: A Battle for Supremacy Begins
In the shadows of Korea's rugby world, seven teams engage in a fierce battle of strength, strategy, and teamwork - all vying to be crowned champion.

[11/21/24 - 04:00 PM]
ABC Presents a Two-Night Special Event To Commemorate the Diamond Anniversary of "Mary Poppins"
First, "The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20," a two-hour special from ABC News Studios chock full of rarely seen footage, photos and stories from the film's living legends, airs Wednesday, November 27 on ABC and streams next day on Hulu and Disney+.

[11/21/24 - 01:32 PM]
2024 International Emmy Nominees on Hulu
Check out these Emmy-worthy international series streaming on Hulu.

[11/21/24 - 01:12 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Semifinals Is Top Program of the Night in Adults 18-49 and All Key Women Demographics
The spectacular season 33 penultimate episode grew over the previous week's 500th episode celebration in both Total Viewers (5.19 million vs. 5.13 million) and Adults 18-49 (0.75 rating vs. 0.71 rating), hitting a season high in Total Viewers.

[11/21/24 - 01:05 PM]
NBC Orders Five Additional Episodes of Its Friday Night Comedy Hit "Happy's Place"
The "Happy's Place" premiere has hit 14 million viewers across all platforms.