Directors: Sara Khaki, Mohammad Reza Eyni / Iran / 2025 / 95 mins
Sara Shahverdi, a divorced, motorcycle-riding former midwife, is an unlikely leader in a conservative north-western Iranian village. As the first woman ever elected to the local council, she’s determined to break the cycle of empty promises and complacency passed down by the men who came before her.
Fierce and unapologetic, Sara pushes for bold reforms, fighting for her most difficult battles on behalf of the village’s girls and women. From teaching teenage girls to ride motorcycles to challenging child marriage, to advocating for female land ownership, she openly defies patriarchal norms. But when her efforts spark backlash and accusations about her motives, Sara must confront not only her critics, but also her own sense of identity.
“Staying close to its subject, this dynamic documentary captures the full force of Shahverdi’s formidable personality.” – The Guardian
“The film is gorgeously shot, allowing us to embrace the exhilaration of this empowerment, the beauty of these women who are continuously held back and appreciation for how a country once was and could be again.” – Films Fatale
Grand Jury Prize – Sundance Film Festival 2025
Best Documentary Feature Nomination – Academy Awards 2026
