Cutting Through Rocks

CRITIC’S PICK – “The first woman elected to the council of her village in Iran, is propelled by her no-nonsense resourcefulness.” – NY Times.

Cutting Through Rocks is shortlisted for Documentary Feature Film in the 98th annual Academy Awards.

Sun, Dec 7 Q&As with co-directors Sara Khaki & Mohammadreza Eyni
after the 3:15 pm show moderated by Jay Rosenblatt, and after the 5:50 show,
moderated by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk!

Extended introductions by Mohammadreza Eyni before the Mon, 12/8 show!

As the first elected councilwoman of her deeply conservative Iranian village, Sara Shahverdi — a divorced, motorcycle riding, former midwife — stands out. Tenacious and not easily intimidated, Sara is determined to uplift her community and put an end to the empty promises and laziness perpetuated by local councilmen over the years. But it is as an advocate for the girls and women in her village where she encounters the greatest opposition.

Among other things, she aims to break long-held patriarchal traditions by training teenage girls to ride motorcycles and stopping child marriages. When accusations arise questioning Sara’s intentions to empower the girls, her identity is put in turmoil.