AFGHAN DREAMERS
A film by David Greenwald
2022, 72 minutes
2022, 72 minutes
No. 407
Documentary
Documentary
Description
Five years ago, a group of high school girls in Afghanistan had a dream: to show the world what women could accomplish with education and opportunity. They were given the chance to join the fledgling Afghan Girls Robotics team. Against the odds and in the face of their country’s unyielding, fundamentalist culture, they soaked up the knowledge and skills required to build robots and traveled the world, winning competitions and international recognition. The “Afghan Dreamers” became inspirational role models and changed perceptions of women in their war-torn country.
But today, their dreams of changing the world’s view of Afghanistan and its women must be deferred. The violent return of the brutal, misogynistic and extremist Taliban threatens to turn back the clock for women and girls: one of their first acts was to shut down schools for girls over 12 years old. And yet, through the story of these persistent young women, it is possible to picture a different future for Afghanistan’s next generation. By sharing their story on film, the Dreamers hope to encourage young girls to fight for a different future, as builders, thinkers and change-makers.
With exceptional access to these young women and their mentors, Afghan Dreamers is a powerful journey that captures the final chapter of Afghanistan before the Taliban takeover through the eyes of these brave girls. Regardless of what the near future may hold, the Dreamers' accomplishments can never be taken away and they are speaking fearlessly from far beyond their country’s borders for the rights of women and girls.
But today, their dreams of changing the world’s view of Afghanistan and its women must be deferred. The violent return of the brutal, misogynistic and extremist Taliban threatens to turn back the clock for women and girls: one of their first acts was to shut down schools for girls over 12 years old. And yet, through the story of these persistent young women, it is possible to picture a different future for Afghanistan’s next generation. By sharing their story on film, the Dreamers hope to encourage young girls to fight for a different future, as builders, thinkers and change-makers.
With exceptional access to these young women and their mentors, Afghan Dreamers is a powerful journey that captures the final chapter of Afghanistan before the Taliban takeover through the eyes of these brave girls. Regardless of what the near future may hold, the Dreamers' accomplishments can never be taken away and they are speaking fearlessly from far beyond their country’s borders for the rights of women and girls.
Festivals
Official Selection, Woodstock Film Festival
Official Selection, Heartland Film Festival
Official Selection, Gallway Film Fleadh
Reviews
“An unmissable feminist epic, Afghan Dreamers chronicles the harrowing journey of the all-female Afghan Girls Robotics Team.“ - Screen Rant
“A timely cautionary tale – a case study on just how quickly the rights and the opportunities of women can be curtailed, at the behest of the men in power.” - Screen Daily
“In Afghan Dreamers, the importance and benefits of education and women's rights are front, center, and clear, and the girls on the robotics team give great voice to how important their work is.” - Common Sense Media
