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This blog was contributed by Julie Chung, ZIO editorial assistant

When you think of going to the movies, you think of going with friends, family, that special someone, or even just by yourself for some alone time. For the people of the conservative Saudi capital of Riyadh, they were not able to do this one activity most of us take for granted for more than almost 30 years...until now.

Not only is Menahi, a comedy about a Bedouin's journey adapting to a new life in Dubai, the #1 film in Riyadh, it is the only film in Riyadh.  You would think that people would be rejoicing, almost running to the theater in such an exciting, anxious haste, but half of the entire Saudi population - the women - are not celebrating.  Why?  because they're not allowed in.  Religious conservatives have been the driving force behind the whole discriminating operation and according to them, allowing women to go to the movies would threaten Islamic values by leading to the potential mixing of the sexes.  Efforts to retaliate against these religious standards were overlooked by moviegoers immersed in the rarity of this film or automatically handled by the government-run institution's security. 

The decision to show the film was advocated by a company owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who has been compared a dangerous drug dealer because the TV channels that his company owns broadcasts movies.  Variety quotes Misfir al-Sibai, a 21-year-old Saudi businessman, when he said the best part of his movie experience was the fact that "'it was just beautiful to see people look so animated and happy.'" If people were described as this lively and satisfied just to be a part of a mere screening of one single movie admitting only males, just imagine what it would be like with women as well - it would feel like a new and improved society. Change is imminent.