Jennifer Lawrence's Docu ‘Bread And Roses’ Sheds Light On Afghan Women Under Taliban Rule

Bread and Roses, a documentary co-produced by Jennifer Lawrence, made its debut at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.

The film focused on the experiences of three women who found themselves living under Taliban rule after protesting against a coup. Lawrence, along with her producer friend Justine Ciarrocchi, established the production company Excellent Cadaver, which presented the short film.

Ciarrocchi explained that Lawrence's initial response was to provide a platform for an Afghan filmmaker. Their search led them to director Sahra Mani, known for her 2019 documentary A Thousand Girls Like Me, which explored the journey of a sexually abused woman seeking justice. Mani's new work, Bread and Roses, delved into the daily lives of three women in the aftermath of the Taliban's resurgence. The documentary received a special screening at the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday.

Bread and Roses premiere at Cannes:

During the premiere, Mani expressed that the film conveyed a subtle message from the voiceless women in Afghanistan, calling on others to be their advocates against the oppressive Taliban regime. In an interview on the Cannes website, the director shared her motivation to showcase the stark reality of women's lives under Taliban rule, despite the challenges faced during filming. With women now compelled to wear veils and confined to their homes, Mani believed it was crucial to tell their stories.

Sahra Mani had fortuitously left Afghanistan a few days prior to the collapse of Kabul, attending a film festival in Europe. Little did she know that she would not be able to return due to the volatile situation. The safety of both the camera crews and the individuals featured in the documentary was a paramount concern for Mani, who currently resides in France.

Mani emphasised that the oppressions experienced by Afghan women under the Taliban were a grim everyday reality for them. Bread and Roses sought to shed light on these realities and inspire empathy and action from a global audience.

Through Lawrence's co-production and Mani's directorial vision, the film aimed to amplify the voices of the oppressed and bring attention to the plight of Afghan women living under oppressive regimes.

Photo Credit: Reuters

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