Combining verite footage, interviews and archival material, Los Angeles based film maker, Meena Nanji has fashioned a harrowing, thought-provoking, yet intimate portrait of the plight of Afghan women in the last 30 years-from the rule of King Mohammed Zahir Shah to the current Hamid Karzai government to the activist work of RAWA, the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan. Over a period of five years, she spent months in a refugee camp in Pakistan, where she documented the efforts of three women to rebuild their lives and help others in the process: Shapire, a teacher; Roeena, a physician; and Wajeeha, a social activist.
Visit the film’s website here: www.viewgrainofsand.com.
Film Reviews
“Disputing rosy media accounts of an improved situation for women, docu profiles three females who are barely coping with state of women’s rights in their homeland. PBS-style filmmaking and storytelling makes this a sure item for pub tube airings and widespread international broadcasts.” — Variety
“searing, wide-reaching… an especially timely addition to the collective history of the plight of women under repression.” — Los Angeles Times
“Via interviews, narration, and vérité and archival footage, Nanji compellingly argues that the loss of women’s rights in Afghanistan is not a simple story that revolves around the Taliban. It is a much larger-and continuing-story of a nation that has suffered through near-constant war and mass displacement over several decades.” — Make/shift Magazine
“gripping… Nanji narrates this history with clarity and passion … an insightful, often heart-wrenching account of trauma, war and rights abuses…” — LA Weekly
“There are VERY few films that approach the issue of Afghanistan, Afghan women’s rights, and US policy with a decent level of sensitivity, political maturity, and sophistication. Meena Nanji’s film is one of those very rare films that tackles all the important issues with grace, and conviction…” — Sonali Kolhatkar, Co-Director of Afghan Women’s Mission
“a work of love and passion for a Afghanistan and the Afghan people…” — Adam Shapiro, former country director, Global Rights, Afghanistan.
“…a fascinating portrait of resilience…” — Flavorpill.com
So Cal Events |
Events and Announcements
- Malalai Joya’s Defense Committee’s Campaign for Internally Displaced Afghans
- Malalai Joya Sends a Message to the World
- RAWA Responds to the Taliban Takeover
- AWM Thanks the Lisa Akbari Foundation
- One Young Man’s Holiday Wish: Raise Funds for RAWA
- RAWA Statement on 12th Anniversary of US War
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Afghanistan News Wire
- Malalai Joya Sends a Message to the World
- 20 Years of U.S. Occupation Was Brutal in Afghanistan—And So Will Be the Exit
- Malalai Joya on Democracy Now!
- Girls School in Danger of Closing
- Huffington Post: A Woman Among Warlords: An Interview With Malalai Joya
- The Cost of Courage: Malalai Joya’s Life-Risking Activism
>> Read More...
Press Releases
- Tenth Anniversary of Afghanistan War: RAWA Member Available for Interviews
- U.S. Responds to Broad Public Campaign, Grants Malalai Joya Visa!
- US government denies entry visa to Afghan women’s rights activist and author Malalai Joya
- Leading Afghan Feminist Urges Immediate end to U.S. War
- A Woman Among Warlords – Malalai Joya Available for Interviews
- Afghan Women’s Rights Activist Calls for an End to US Occupation
>> Read More...