A searing and intimate documentary that spotlights the courageous resistance of Afghan women following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Directed by Afghan filmmaker Sahra Mani and produced by Jennifer Lawrence and Malala Yousafzai, the film follows three women—Sharifa, Zahra, and Taranom—who refuse to accept the erasure of their rights and identities under the regime’s brutal rule.

Shot by the women themselves using hidden cameras and mobile phones, the documentary captures not just their daily struggles, but their bold and creative acts of defiance. From spraying graffiti on walls under cover of night, to organizing underground education circles, to leading street protests even under threat of arrest and torture, these women are building a decentralized movement from the ground up. They chant “bread, work, education” in the streets, pass knowledge among one another in secret homes, and provide emotional support as they navigate repression and exile.

Despite the Taliban’s sweeping restrictions on women’s rights—banning girls from secondary school, restricting employment, and criminalizing public protest—Afghan women continue to resist, along with  growing efforts by international activists, diaspora Afghans, and human rights organizations to pressure the Taliban through global advocacy, sanctions, and diplomatic isolation. UN agencies and grassroots groups have also supported underground schools, documented abuses, and pushed for women’s inclusion in peace talks and aid negotiations.

Bread & Roses is not just a chronicle of oppression—it’s a portrait of resilience, sisterhood, and movement-building under extreme conditions. It demands attention and solidarity with women who are risking everything for freedom.

Best for older teens and adults. It includes emotionally intense scenes and references to state violence, but no graphic content. A powerful conversation starter about courage, organizing, and global feminism.