Sixteen year old Soraya is married to a violent man and determined to shape her own future. This strong-willed Afghan sculptor and illustrator has been trying for five years to find a way out of Iran and join her mother in Austria. This subtly textured self-portrait interweaves chilling scenes of her escape attempts with political news from Afghanistan and videos in which she sings and dances—or shows her bruises. Through masterful cinematography often filmed in dangerous conditions, and the protagonist’s radiant energy, this empowering collaboration between an established filmmaker and a young new artist enables her to reclaim identity.

Screenwriter Mehrdad Oskouei, Amir Adibparvar
Cameraman Soraya Akhalaghi
Editing Amir Adibparvar
Producer Mehrdad Oskouei
Oskouei Films
radaaleksic@beldocs.rs


IDFA (2025): Best Film Docville: Jury Award for Best International Documentary Pordenone Docs Fest: Jury Grand Prix One World IFF: International Competition Award for the Best Director CPH:DOX Hot Docs Dok.Fest Munich DocsBarcelona Fipadoc