Sahra Mani is the director of the award-winning 2023 American documentary titled “Bread & Roses”. It was produced by Jennifer Lawrence and Justine Ciarrocchi under their company Excellent Cadaver. The film centers around the lives of Afghan women after the Taliban’s return in 2021 and showcases the struggle of these women to reclaim their power.
Synopsis
The documentary centers around the lives of three Afghan women who have been greatly affected by the war in Afghanistan:
- Sharifa: A Taliban-ruled woman who used to work in the Afghan government’s administration and is now a housewife.
- Zahra: A dentist whose practice becomes a learning center for activists against the dictatorship of the Taliban. She is often tortured or even incarcerated for her actions.
- Taranom: An Afghan activist who migrated to Pakistan as a political refugee.
In their narratives, the sixth-grade education women are permitted, and appearing in public unaccompanied is a violation of law on working, for instance, covers such as them.
Cultural and Social Relevance
‘’Boron & Roses’’ brings into focus the plight of Afghan women living under the Taliban rule.Aggressively targeting individual stories in the film serves the purpose of illustrating the wider political disaster, which is women’s rights in Afghanistan, the women’s issue as a global concern.
Aesthetic Style
The film is entirely devoid of voice over, allowing viewers to make sense of what they see and hear on their own. The filmmaker used cinema verite technique to full advantage in shooting the unpolished scenes for his film.
Critical Reception
On its debut at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, “Bread and Roses” became popular among critics and the audience with its timely theme of Afghan women’s fight. The Hollywood Reporter claimed it to be “blue eyed honest and covered by compassionate eye”.
Accessibility
“In addition, on November 22, 2024,,” a film was sponsored by Apple TV+ and was titled ‘Bread and Roses’.
Suggest Similar Movies.
For viewers who appreciated “Bread & Roses”, we recommend these documentaries that touch on women’s issues and their struggle:
- ** “Twelve Thousand Girls Like Me”, 2018 :** Directed by Sahra Mani, this picture is about an Afghan woman who is desperate to obtain justice after being a victim of sexual violence for a long time.
- “He Named Me Malala,” 2015: A powerful image of a teenage girl from Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai, awarding a Nobel Prize and fighting for any girl who wishes to have an education.
- “In Her Hands,” 2022: – Another documentary focusing on Zarifa Ghafari, one of the first female mayors in Afghanistan who went on to govern in the midst of Taliban threats.
These documentaries highlight the conflict and success stories of women who stand up for their rights in the most difficult of circumstances.