Sundance Grand Jury Winner ‘Cutting Through Rocks’ Acquired by Autlook Ahead of Berlinale (EXCLUSIVE)

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Autlook Filmsales has obtained the rights to “Cutting Through Rocks,” the winner of the World Cinema Documentary Competition’s Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Autlook will present a screening of this movie during the European Film Market in Berlin.

The movie was helmed by directors Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni, under the production of Gandom Films Production.

The story follows Sara Shahverdi, the inaugural female council member of her rural Iranian community, as she bravely confronts deeply-rooted patriarchal values by teaching teenage girls to ride motorcycles and fighting against underage marriages. However, when her intentions are scrutinized, Sara encounters a significant internal struggle.

The narrative focuses on Sara Shahverdi, the initial female council member of her Iranian village, who takes a stand against traditional patriarchal beliefs by teaching young girls to ride motorcycles and working to prevent child marriages. Yet, when her reasons are called into question, Sara undergoes a challenging personal dilemma.

Film critic Siddhant Adlakha commented: “The main character in the movie, Sara Shahverdi, a thirty-something divorcée who is both irritable and guided by principles, provides the film with its momentum. However, the slow parts of the documentary aren’t always intentional. Yet, despite seeming overly long, the film occasionally showcases striking visual elements that underscore its central narrative.

The executive producers are Meadow Fund, Rebecca Lichtenfeld from Independent Lens, and Judith Helfand of Blue Vinyl. (This version maintains the original structure while using more conversational language.)

Stephanie Fuchs, head of Autlook, stated: “This is truly remarkable – it’s a deeply personal and captivating tale about resilience and rebellion. Sara Shahverdi’s experience is one of exceptional bravery, and we are excited to share this impactful movie on the global platform. It provides a unique and complex perspective of Iran, told with vivid cinematic style.

Khaki jointly directed the documentary titled “Our Iranian Lockdown,” which was nominated for an award by the International Documentary Association. Additionally, her co-directed Netflix production, “Convergence: Courage in a Crisis,” earned a 2022 Emmy Award nomination. Khaki is also a recipient of a grant from the Sundance Institute’s Documentary Fund in 2020 and an alumna of Chicken & Egg.

Eyni serves as one of the founders for Gandom Films Production. As a recipient, he was selected for the 2021 Firelight Media fellowship, granted funds through the 2020 Sundance Institute Documentary Fund, and is an alumnus of the Tribeca Film Institute.

Autlook’s Berlinale lineup also features the global debut of “Only on Earth,” helmed by Robin Petré, and the European debut of “Khartoum,” which was previously screened at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, under the direction of Anas Saeed, Rawia Alhag, Ibrahim Snoopy Ahmad, Timeea Mohamed Ahmed, and Phil Cox.

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2025-02-11 14:17