Cutting Through Rocks unfolds against the stark realities of rural life in Iran, where patriarchal norms continue to shape aspects of family, community and identity. Within this landscape emerges the remarkable story of Sara Shahverdi, a midwife and community figure who ends up becoming the first woman elected to her village council. Rather than bending to social limits, she confronts them, with courage and determination, she advocates for girls’ rights, challenges oppressive customs, and fights for opportunities her own generation was denied, all under the watchful eyes of a sceptical and often hostile community.
Directed by Mohammadreza Eyni and Sara Khaki, Sara’s remarkable journey is brought to the screen through verité camerawork and a patient, observational lens that follows her extraordinary eight-year journey as the first woman elected to the village council. Having long served her community by delivering children and being the sole breadwinner of the family after her father’s death, Sara makes the radical decision to run for the village council. Once elected, she openly confronts the status quo. Her growing visibility provokes a fierce backlash: village elders, local men, and even members of her own family orchestrate a campaign to discredit her. The film reaches its climax with a court case that attempts to remove her from office, but she remains defiant. It closes with Sara leading a convoy of girls on motorcycles, transforming what could be a local story into a universally compelling portrait of resilience.
Acclaimed internationally, it was shortlisted for Best Documentary Feature at the 98th Academy Awards and was the winner of the prestigious Sundance Grand Jury Prize. With every frame emphasising the weight of Sara’s choices, her victories hard-won, her setbacks deeply felt, and the stakes never abstract, it is a must-watch that lingers long after the screen fades, reminding us that meaningful change is often quiet, contested, and profoundly human.