Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A gripping new documentary, Bread & Roses, sheds light on the harrowing lives of Afghan women under the oppressive rule of the Taliban. Directed by Afghan filmmaker Sahra Mani, who now lives in exile, the film captures the untold stories of women navigating life after the fall of Kabul in 2021. First premiered at Cannes in May 2023, the documentary is an emotional testament to resilience and resistance.
Produced by actress Jennifer Lawrence, known for her role in The Hunger Games, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, the film serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of the Taliban’s resurgence following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Stories from the Shadows
Entirely filmed on smartphones, Bread & Roses paints an intimate portrait of three Afghan women whose lives were irrevocably altered under Taliban rule:
- Zahra, a dentist turned protest leader, faces the threat of losing her practice as Taliban restrictions intensify.
- Sharifa, a former civil servant, is confined to her home, her life reduced to fleeting moments of freedom while hanging laundry on her rooftop.
- Taranom, an activist exiled in Pakistan, watches helplessly as her homeland sinks further into medieval intolerance.
These stories, alongside others recorded by women themselves under Mani’s guidance, reveal the everyday struggles and unyielding spirit of Afghan women in the face of systemic oppression.
Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan
Since regaining power, the Taliban have implemented what the United Nations describes as “gender apartheid,” progressively stripping Afghan women of their basic rights. Education beyond middle school is forbidden, career opportunities are severely restricted, and women are barred from parks, public spaces, and even the right to perform music or poetry in public.
The Taliban justify these measures as aligning with Islamic values, a claim contested by scholars and activists worldwide. “Islam does not forbid girls from education or women from work,” Malala Yousafzai emphasized in an interview, refuting the Taliban’s extreme interpretation of the faith.
A Call for Global Attention
Director Sahra Mani expressed frustration with the lack of international support for Afghan women. “Restrictions are tightening, and yet, there’s almost no one outside Afghanistan who cares,” she remarked during the Los Angeles red carpet event for the film. Mani hopes the documentary will amplify the voices of women who have been marginalized and silenced.
Jennifer Lawrence echoed this sentiment, describing the drastic overnight changes many women faced. “Doctors and professionals lost everything, their rights stripped away in a moment,” Lawrence said.
Hope Amidst Darkness
Through its deeply personal narratives, Bread & Roses does more than document suffering; it highlights the courage of Afghan women fighting to retain their humanity. As the world watches, the film calls for collective action to address the ongoing injustices in Afghanistan.
In Malala Yousafzai’s words, “The Taliban represent a narrow and oppressive worldview, not the diversity and richness of Afghanistan’s culture or Islam.” The documentary underscores this truth, offering a poignant look at lives defined by defiance and hope.
Bread & Roses serves as both a witness and a rallying cry, urging the international community to stand with Afghanistan’s women in their quest for freedom and dignity.
(Becky)
