What role does education play in the fight for equality? Since 15 August 2021, when the Taliban took power, Manizha Bakhtari, the last Afghan ambassador, has been fighting for the rights of women and girls. The film follows her covert efforts and explores courage, diplomacy, and solidarity under extreme political conditions.
How crucial is education in the fight for equality? “Women are a key part of society…” – these words were spoken at the first Taliban conference after they took power in Afghanistan in 2021. It was a lie aimed at the international community, while the situation for women in the country continues to deteriorate. The film follows Manizha Bakhtari, the last Afghan ambassador, who risks everything to fight for the rights of women and girls.
As Afghanistan’s ambassador in Vienna, she finds herself in an extraordinary position: representing a country whose previous government fled, while the new Taliban regime is not recognized internationally. Despite financial and logistical isolation, Bakhtari persists, continuing her advocacy for Afghan women. Through her program Daughters, she enables secret education for girls while organizing political resistance against the Taliban. Under increasingly difficult conditions, she has become one of the most important international voices for Afghan women, calling on the world to pay attention to their tragic situation. Her mantra reflects her mission: “Peace is not the absence of war, but the presence of justice”.
After the screening there will be a meeting with the film director Natalie Halla.
Natalie Halla
Natalie Halla studied law and translation (Russian, Spanish) at Karl-Franzens University of Graz. After several years of studies and job assignments in many countries, she started her career as an independent documentary film maker, for which she gained her skills as an autodidact. Since 2010 she has directed and produced nine award winning feature-length documentaries, mainly focused on human interests stories and fundamental rights. Natalie Halla has given Masterclasses and been nominated jury member in several international film festivals.
Director: Natalie Halla
Producer(s): Peter Drössler, Arash T. Riahi, Sabine Gruber, Natalie Halla
Production: Golden Girls Filmproduktion & Filmservices GmbH, Natalie Halla
Language: Dari, English
Subtitles: Polish, English
