ABOUT THE SHOW

Sara Shahverdi — a divorced, motorcycle-riding former midwife — is an unlikely leader in her conservative northwestern Iranian village. As the first woman ever elected to the local council, she’s determined to break the cycle of empty promises and complacency passed down by the men who came before her. Fierce and unapologetic, Sara pushes for bold reforms, fighting her most difficult battles on behalf of the village’s girls and women. From teaching teenage girls to ride motorcycles to challenging child marriage to advocating for female land ownership, she openly defies patriarchal norms. But when her efforts spark backlash and accusations about her motives, Sara must confront not only her critics — but also her own sense of identity.

The screening will be followed by a conversation with co-directors Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni.

Viewing instructions will be sent to the provided email just prior to the scheduled start time. The show will be available until Thursday, February 26 , Midnight.

CUTTING THROUGH ROCKS
Academy Award Nominee - Best Documentary Feature
Sundance Winner - Grand Jury Prize for World Cinema Documentary

“CRITIC’S PICK. A film that pulses with so much hopefulness.”
– Sheri Linden, The New York Times

"Directors Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni bring a measured hand… Bursts of visual panache… Its fly-on-the-wall quality works wonders… Uniquely propulsive… The result is practically magical: women kick up dirt causing a political stir on liberating bike rides, and tableaus of the film’s magnanimous subject, silhouetted by sunlight, make her look heroic.”
– Siddhant Adlakha, Variety

"A sharp documentary… Precisely lensed… A deftly shaped work of cinematic nonfiction…
An East-meets-West gaze that hits all the right feminist beats.”
– Lauren Wissot, IndieWire

To learn about more screening events, filmmaker conversations and interactive streaming presentations, sign up for our NEWSLETTER HERE.