“Bread & Roses”

“Bread & Roses” provides a deeply affecting, visceral portrayal of the immediate aftermath of the Taliban’s 2021 takeover of Kabul. The documentary specifically tells the story from the vantage point of Afghan women whose lives were abruptly upended, creating a time capsule of what it was like to be female during an extremely turbulent and frightening time.

Directed by Sahra Mani, this documentary follows three courageous women — Zahra, Taranom, and Sharifa — as they navigate the harrowing reality of living under a regime that systematically erases women’s rights and freedoms. The film is raw, intimate, and often unpolished, but its emotional power lies in the unfiltered experiences it captures. This is the type of film you should watch if you’d like to have a better understanding of global politics in other regions of the world.

Mani’s documentary takes viewers inside a world many will never experience firsthand, offering a much-needed platform for Afghan women to share their stories. As the Taliban imposed draconian laws that stripped women of basic rights, from education to employment, Zahra, Taranom, and Sharifa’s lives became emblematic of the broader struggle faced by women across Afghanistan. This gender apartheid is both harrowing and enraging, with the film shining a spotlight on the harsh reality of women disappearing or being detained (or worse) for simply wanting the freedom to live, study, and work.

The documentary captures the resilience of these women, with each one getting screen time for their personal story. Each woman is depicted in real time as they grapple with their circumstances, and their different (yet similar) stories become an essential testament to the feminist resistance still alive within Afghanistan.

The bravery of these women is commendable and unflinching as they continue to fight against a system designed to subjugate them. These are women who won’t keep silent, even while knowing that speaking out could mean imprisonment, torture, or death. Mani’s ability to capture this danger in such an intimate matter gives the film a raw, emotional core that’s gut wrenching.

Though the documentary at times feels pieced together, this lack of polish is overshadowed by the urgency of the subject matter. This film doesn’t just document a human rights crisis, but it implores the world to pay attention, to advocate, and to amplify the voices of Afghan women. It serves as both a record of oppression and a call to action, reminding viewers that the fight for women’s rights is not only universal but desperately ongoing.

That’s what makes “Bread & Roses” so much more than just another documentary. This is a testament to the indomitable spirit of Afghan women and a stark reminder of the price they pay for simply existing in a society that has turned against them. It’s a sobering reflection of how fragile freedom can be, and how crucial it is to continue supporting those whose voices are being silenced.

By: Louisa Moore