Cutting Through Rocks Analysis – A Woman Rebel Confronting the Male-Dominated System in Rural Iran
Being the inaugural anything is a source of pride, but also a burden. Sara Shahverdi has blazed her own path through a deeply conservative village in countryside Iran. An seasoned midwife who has brought into the world over four hundred babies, she has always done what is forbidden of women: to ride a motorcycle in the open, to obtain a divorce and to reside alone. Now she has embarked on another herculean task: to become the inaugural female councillor to be elected in this part of the country.
An Powerful Documentary
Remaining close to its central figure, Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni’s vibrant documentary showcases the complete power of Shahverdi’s impressive personality. An opening scene depicts her barging into the home of her brothers, urging they give back the rights of property inheritance to her sisters. The film extends from Shahverdi’s personal issues to take in the full scope of male-dominated oppression in her community. Here, schoolgirls as young as 12 are compelled into marriage, divorce is virtually impossible to secure, and married women have minimal legal protection. Shahverdi’s resounding election victory is a symbol of hope, but even her triumphs are overshadowed by misogyny. Her male supporters can celebrate in the streets, while women have to film the celebrations through a restricted window.
Remarkable Transformations
As councilwoman, Shahverdi implements remarkable changes to the village; however, her support of women and girls also triggers hateful claims about her sexuality that place her in court. Through these challenges and struggles, and alternating between moods of joy and hesitation, the documentary evocatively conveys her sisyphean exhaustion, where each advance is negated by new challenges. While we might wish to hear more about the distinct cultural context of the Azeri Turk community to which Shahverdi is a member of, this remains a thought-provoking portrait of an remarkable spirit.
Cutting Through Rocks is at Bertha DocHouse, London, from 17 October.
