Cutting Through Rocks review – the female firebrand fighting the patriarchy in rural Iran

<p>Sara Shahverdi refuses to accept the norms of her deeply conservative village as she becomes its first female councillor. But for every step forward, as this dynamic documentary shows, a further obstacle is thrown in her path</p><p>Being the first anything is a point of pride, but also a burden. Sara Shahverdi has carved her own path through a deeply conservative village in rural Iran. An experienced midwife who has delivered more than 400 babies, she has always done what is not permitted of women: to ride a motorcycle in public, to get a divorce and to live alone. Now she has taken on another herculean task: to become the first female councillor to be elected in this part of the country.</p><p>Staying close to its subject, Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni’s dynamic documentary captures the full force of Shahverdi’s formidable personality. An early scene shows her barging into the home of her brothers, demanding they return the rights of land inheritance to her sisters. The film expands from Shahverdi’s private issues to take in the full scope of patriarchal oppression in her community. Here, schoolgirls as young as 12 are forced into marriage, divorce is nearly impossible to obtain, and married women have little legal protection. Shahverdi’s resounding election victory is a beacon of hope, but even her celebrations are overshadowed by misogyny. Her male supporters can dance in the streets, while women have to film the revelries through a barred window.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oct/13/cutting-through-rocks-review-the-female-firebrand-fighting-the-patriarchy-in-rural-iran">Continue reading...</a>