How to watch Bread and Roses, Jennifer Lawrence’s heartbreaking Taliban documentary

As a woman who has spent most of her life advocating for women’s rights and fighting against oppression, I can wholeheartedly say that Bread and Roses is a documentary that truly resonates with me. The raw, unfiltered footage of the struggles faced by Afghan women under Taliban rule is not only heart-wrenching but also serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of freedom and dignity for women worldwide.

Malala Yousafzai and Jennifer Lawrence have joined forces to create a moving new documentary, titled “Bread and Roses,” which sheds light on the oppression of Afghan women by the Taliban. As the streaming release date approaches, here’s how you can catch this powerful film.

This month, a variety of insightful documentaries are making their way onto streaming platforms. Among them, Ronan Farrow’s revealing work “Surveilled” and Netflix’s exploration into consumerism titled “Buy Now: Unmasking the Shopping Obsession.

Instead of keeping Bread and Roses at the bottom, it would be wise to prioritize them at the top of your watchlist. Following the departure of US troops in August 2021, Afghanistan’s government fell apart, resulting in the Taliban taking over the country and the reemergence of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

In one fell swoop, women’s basic human rights were eradicated. Lawrence and Yousafzai’s documentary film explores the stories of Afghan women’s fight for autonomy under the Taliban’s oppressive regime.

How to watch Bread and Roses

The 90-minute documentary will be available to stream on Apple TV+ from Friday, November 22, 2024.

The worldwide debut of “Bread and Roses” took place following its initial screening on May 21, 2023, at the Cannes Film Festival.

What is it about?

Under the guidance of director Sahra Mani and with the involvement of executive producers Malala Yousafzai and Jennifer Lawrence, the film “Bread and Roses” offers a moving portrayal of the experiences of Afghan women following the Taliban’s comeback in 2021.

As a passionate viewer, I found myself deeply engrossed in this film that centers around three remarkable women: Dr. Zahra Mohammadi, Sharifa Mowahedzada, and Taranom Seyedi. Each of them courageously grapples with the suffocating constraints imposed by an oppressive extremist regime, their stories serving as beacons of resilience and hope.

Dr. Mohammadi, formerly a dentist, decides to repurpose her clinic into a center for activism instead of closing it down as instructed. On the other hand, Sharifa, who used to work for the government, finds herself living under strict home confinement. In contrast, Taranom’s activism results in her being exiled and seeking refuge in Pakistan.

How to watch Bread and Roses, Jennifer Lawrence’s heartbreaking Taliban documentary

As a fervent supporter, I must say that this documentary brings to light the harsh suppression of peaceful demonstrations, particularly those led by women demanding “work, bread, and education.” These courageous women face an onslaught of water cannons, tear gas, and ominous threats of violence in response.

Mostly, the videos were recorded on-the-spot by the trio of women with their mobile phones, underscoring the significant danger they faced and the courage they displayed.

Bread and Roses symbolically portrays not just the hardships faced by Afghan women, but also their remarkable strength and unwavering spirit in fighting for their rights.

The movie was created by Lawrence and Justine Ciarrocchi, through their firm Excellent Cadaver. Malala Yousafzai, the renowned Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for her advocacy in female education, acted as executive producer under her Extracurricular label.

Lawrence and Ciarrocchi sought out filmmaker Sahra Mani for a project following their viewing of her 2019 documentary “A Thousand Girls Like Me,” which focuses on the problem of sexual violence and mistreatment faced by women in Afghanistan.

Malala Yousafzai and Jennifer Lawrence’s call to action

During an interview with The Guardian earlier this year, Yousafzai expressed her views on the U.S.’s failure to take sufficient responsibility and the impact of its military withdrawal.

She expressed her feelings by saying, ‘It’s a painful truth that leaves you troubled. Yet, we see only quietness and inactivity. Storytellers and activists can’t help but ponder over it for long,’ to the media.

“It’s crucial for people to scrutinize their leaders and make them answerable for their actions. Therefore, I encourage everyone to start challenging their elected officials and demanding explanations about their work.

How can we interpret their statements about promoting gender equality, given that they seem unwilling to take concrete steps to safeguard women’s rights and ensure education for girls in Afghanistan?

Malala continued her speech by bringing attention to the biases present in Western societies, saying, “Often, discussions about Afghanistan or Pakistan can give the impression that such treatment is standard or routine. However, when women face systematic oppression, we should not accept it as simply a matter of religion and tradition.

In a recent conversation with the BBC, Lawrence (famously recognized from blockbuster films like The Hunger Games) disclosed the reasons behind her decision to be involved in this particular venture.

After observing the events of 2021 on the news, she expressed, “I felt an overwhelming urge to act. Cameras seem to provide a sense of empowerment amidst feelings of powerlessness.

Mani explained the method he used to acquire the Bread and Roses footage, ensuring the women’s safety wasn’t compromised during the process.

She mentioned that she spent time near the Afghan border for two reasons: firstly, to stay close to her team, and secondly, to gather necessary materials.

We established a team to guide our main characters on self-filming techniques safely, ensuring that if their phones are inspected by the Taliban, they won’t discover any evidence of it.

Bread and Roses earns perfect Rotten Tomatoes score

After premiering at Cannes, the film “Bread and Roses” garnered outstanding feedback, leading to a flawless 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The documentary has received acclaim for underscoring the delicate nature of liberty, and amplifying the voices of those who are suppressed or unheard.

Unfiltered, real-life video recordings provide a stark and honest portrayal of the struggles faced by Afghan women. This viewpoint has been praised not just for increasing understanding but also for encouraging viewers to think about how they can actively contribute to addressing these inequalities.

What does Bread and Roses mean?

The title Bread and Roses originates from a political slogan used by suffragettes in the early 20th century, symbolizing the dual struggle for women’s rights to both material necessities and dignity.

In her speech, inspired by James Oppenheim’s 1911 poem ‘Bread and Roses’, Helen Todd, a women’s suffrage activist, expressed the idea of “Food for everyone, as well as beauty and joy”.

The term is frequently linked to the 1912 textile strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts, during which workers fought for both reasonable pay (a fair wage) and improved work environment (better working conditions, symbolized by roses).

This idea reflects the broader theme of human rights, emphasizing that survival is not enough without value and respect.

To find impactful documentaries, explore the 2022 movie “Navalny”, delve into “Turning Point”‘s warning about nuclear weapons, and discover how to view “To Kill a Tiger”.

2024-11-20 18:22