Cutting Through Rocks is a striking new documentary that captures one woman’s quiet rebellion in the heart of rural Iran. It tells the story of Sara Shahverdi, the first woman elected to the village council in her rural community. Co-directed by Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni, the film chronicles Shahverdi’s attempts to challenge patriarchal norms that pervade the very sand around her. She does this by fighting for the rights of women, teaching teenage girls to ride motorcycles and working to end child marriage.

Khaki and Eyni capture her resistance through moments of everyday perseverance. They approach Shahverdi’s journey with restraint and clarity, as the film patiently accumulates details that speak about the strength of a woman and her mission. Vast, open landscapes contrast with the suffocating scrutiny Shahverdi faces, emphasising the isolation of her path. Her courage lies in simply moving forward. 

What sets Cutting Through Rocks apart is its refusal to frame Shahverdi as either a victim or a heroine. Her story is told with a raw honesty; no pity, no romanticism. There is pain, but it is almost nonchalant, interspersed with many moments of joy. The steady glimpses of smiles, shared laughter and small acts of big courage, all come together to give the film a deep emotional resonance. Cutting Through Rocks is a layered, moving portrait of how the courage of one woman to claim her autonomy can set off a ripple effect, inspiring others and unsettling even the most entrenched of patriarchal structures. 

Cutting Through Rocks, Cameo, 18 August, 9.30pm; Filmhouse, 19 August, 12.45pm; Vue, 19 August, 6.30pm, 20 August, 3.30pm.