revisiting the queer love story in Brokedown Palace

Saudi Arabia in the 90s was a place like no other. Famously, women were not allowed to drive. But that was just the tip of the enormous iceberg of control and oppression.

Women had to wear black gowns called abayas over their clothes, and most would also wear a head and face covering too. They couldn’t work in public facing jobs such as shops, and restaurants were segregated into two areas: the ‘family section’ where women were permitted to be with children and their male spouses, and a singles section, chock full of men. Family sections were always concealed from view of the general public.