Jennifer Lawrence and Malala say Bread and Roses is “form of resistance for Afghan women”

As I watched Bread and Roses, I was deeply moved by the resilience and courage of the women portrayed in this powerful documentary. The film serves as a stark reminder of the struggles that millions of Afghan women face every day under the oppressive Taliban regime.

The recently released documentary titled “Bread and Roses” currently available on Apple TV+, offers a gripping yet essential narrative about the experiences of Afghan women since the Taliban reclaimed authority in 2021.

Under the guidance of director Sahra Mani, this movie chronicles the struggles of three women in real-time as they strive to reclaim their independence. Their rights have been progressively stripped away by a tyrannical government.

Lawrence expressed that when he witnessed events unfolding in Kabul during 2021, he felt an intense desire to either set up cameras there or find another means of assistance.

In our quest to create a movie, we sought out talented filmmakers from Afghanistan, and since we had previously admired Sahra’s work, particularly her documentary titled “A Thousand Girls Like Me”.

They shared that when they (She and Justine Ciarrocchi) contacted Mani, they found out she was already amassing footage of Afghan women. To aid her in realizing her unique perspective, they wished to offer any assistance possible.

She remarked: ‘In terms of creativity, we aimed for her to enjoy complete liberty. Upon seeing the final product, assembled after so much back-and-forth communication, I was completely astonished by the masterpiece she had crafted.’

Yousafzai expressed that she had envisioned her personal struggle against the Taliban as a tale of times gone by. She expressed her aspiration that women and girls would never again endure living under such a repressive rule as the Taliban’s regime.

She went on to say: “However, it’s tragically true that Afghan women and girls have endured a life of restriction for the past three and a half years, as they’ve been barred from employment, education, and political involvement. The Taliban’s behavior over this period has shown unequivocally that they have not evolved.

These individuals share the same mindset of disregarding women’s rights in any shape or form. In their view, women are not regarded as equals to men.

She expressed a need for “minimal responsibility” regarding the Taliban’s actions, explaining her participation in the Afghan women-led campaign aiming to formalize gender segregation, with the intention of including it as a crime against humanity under international law.

The documentary serves as a means of defiance for Afghan women and girls, since it provides them with exposure and recognition that the Taliban aim to suppress,” she stated further.

Jennifer Lawrence and Malala say Bread and Roses is “form of resistance for Afghan women”

In the movie, Mani noted that while only three women are highlighted, their fight symbolizes the struggles faced by countless women and young girls across the world.

She noted that while the tale centers around these three women, it’s not exclusively about them, and similar stories can be found elsewhere as well.

The narrative unfolds about over 20 million Afghan women currently subjected to Taliban rule, yet it’s equally about the artists residing in Afghanistan – from cinema and music production to being a musician. Regrettably, under Taliban legislation, they are all classified as criminals.

We must ponder deeply about the fate of our planet, as regions exist where artists and women are denied the opportunity for self-expression, education, and employment.

It’s crucial that we all take a hard look at the actions of the Taliban in Afghanistan, and contemplate the possible implications for our global future, given their potential leadership role in certain regions.

2024-11-22 18:03

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