A compelling but flawed documentary
The film follows the story of a young woman, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, as she struggles to survive in Afghanistan after the Taliban take over her home. She is forced to fight for her life and her freedom against a group of men who believe that women are second-class citizens. Despite the risks, Ayaan continues to fight for her rights and is ultimately successful in driving the Taliban out of her home.
Zafira Ghafari is a woman who has fought for her right to be a part of the Afghan government and to be treated equally to men. She has faced challenges in her career, but she is determined to continue fighting for what is right. The film follows her journey as she tries to make changes in the government and society, and it provides a unique perspective on the challenges that women face in Afghanistan.
Despite receiving death threats, Zafira remains steadfast in her approach to try and inspire young girls and passionate Afghan citizens to push for more equality, even in the face of extreme prejudice and danger. She continues to be an inspiration to many because she is unafraid to speak out against discrimination and violence, even when it means risking her life.
The documentary flits back and forth between Zafira’s struggles to be heard, and shooting from the perspective of a commanding officer for the Taliban in order to gain a balanced viewpoint. The latter have their own ideas around what constitutes as a just and righteous society. As one may expect, it’s not an easy watch. ..
The final 30 minutes of the movie are incredibly tense, with everything leading up to the fall of Kabul shot with a really nail-biting and shockingly raw atmosphere.
In Her Hands is a powerful and shocking documentary that doesn’t shy away from the difficult moments. The film follows a school in Afghanistan that has been attacked by the Taliban, and it is heartbreaking to see the girls suffering. There are also some shocking moments in this documentary, so I recommend watching it if you’re interested in seeing true human tragedy. ..
Unfortunately, In Her Hands does not delve deeply into the character of Zafira. We are told that she is steadfast and shrugs off death threats from the Taliban for years, which feels at odds with her hightailing it out of Afghanistan on the night the US leave. I appreciate that it was not safe for her anymore, but seeing her leave the very people she is supposed to be protecting felt like a bit of a slight. ..
The relationship between Zafira and one of her close confidants has been a source of tension for some time, with the two having a difficult relationship. However, it’s only been touched on in recent weeks with executive producers Hillary and Chelsea Clinton seemingly unwilling to even think about painting Zafira in a negative light.
In Her Hands is a compelling documentary that sheds light on a difficult period of history in the Middle East. It doesn’t come away with any easy answers, but it’s a solid watch all the same.
