22 Oct 2014
Director: Atiq Rahimi
Afghanistan, France, Germany, UK
2012
102 min
In this drama from French-Afghan director Atiq Rahimi and based on his own prize-winning novel, a young Afghan woman (Golshifteh Farahani) struggles to care for her husband who has been incapacitated in a shooting. As food becomes short and a war wages on around her, she begins a heartfelt monologue in which she talks about her childhood, her feelings, her aspirations and her
sufferings as she has never been able to before. Her story is one of struggle within a violent and patriarchal society and also one of determination and resolve. Rahimi’s handsome-looking film offers a disarming combination of insight, compassion and provocation.
It also showcases a marvellous central performance as Farahani delivers a kaleidoscope of emotions.