Story perspectives

Afghan and Iranian Filmmakers Spotlight Women's Struggles at Berlin

2/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Shahrbanoo Sadat, an Afghan filmmaker, presents No Good Men at the Berlin International Film Festival as Afghanistan's first romantic comedy, depicting a woman's life in Kabul before the Taliban's return.
The film highlights limited freedoms of privileged women amid patriarchy.
Mahnaz Mohammadi, an Iranian filmmaker, presents Roya as a harrowing psychological drama depicting Iran's Evin prison.
Mohammadi shot Roya clandestinely in Iran to amplify the voices of the silenced.

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Story summary

Shahrbanoo Sadat, an Afghan filmmaker, presents No Good Men at the Berlin International Film Festival as Afghanistan's first romantic comedy, depicting a woman's life in Kabul before the Taliban's return.
The film highlights limited freedoms of privileged women amid patriarchy.
Mahnaz Mohammadi, an Iranian filmmaker, presents Roya as a harrowing psychological drama depicting Iran's Evin prison.
Mohammadi shot Roya clandestinely in Iran to amplify the voices of the silenced.