"At age 13, Noori's mother, Hawa, was married off to a man 30 years her senior. Now with grownup children, she can finally embark on her own mission: to learn how to read and write, and to open her own textile business. Even though supported by her family, Hawa's hopes and dreams are suffused with melancholy; soon, even more draconian laws will be imposed on Afghan women."
"During the calm before the storm, Noori's roving camera serves as a facilitator for intergenerational dialogue. With stunning candour, Hawa speaks of her unhappy married life, and her past desire to elope with another man. In a painful twist of fate, the cycle continues with Zahra, Hawa's granddaughter and Noori's niece. Looking for refuge at the Noori household after running away from her father's village, her aspiration is to return to her studies."
Najiba Noori juxtaposes a woman's private transformation with Afghanistan's public unravelling as the Taliban approach. Hawa, married at 13 to a much older man, begins learning to read and write and opens a textile business while supported by family but haunted by melancholy. Zahra, Hawa's granddaughter, seeks refuge to resume schooling but is sent back and ultimately forced into marriage. Intergenerational dialogue unfolds through intimate scenes like shared spelling lessons. Noori continues filming via her brother's footage after fleeing the country. The family reunites in France while many relatives remain behind facing uncertain, precarious futures.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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