‘Cutting Through Rocks’ Gives A Simple But Heartwarming Insight Into Iranian Feminism
This article is part of our 2026 Oscar Documentary Feature Nominee review series
The motor-riding Sara Shahverdi is as down-to-earth as she is heroic in her unwavering attempt to improve the lives of her fellow village women. As a divorced midwife who happily lives alone, she goes against society’s gender norms by simply existing. Cutting Through Rocks follows Sara’s nomination as councilmember, a journey that will take her to become the first woman in her village in the Iranian countryside to hold that position.
Directors Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni deliver a slow-paced but heartwarming documentary about Iranian feminism that focuses on Sara’s ties to the women in her village. We see it when she bonds with young girls by teaching them how to ride a motorcycle and, through that, give them a taste of freedom. While the men around her subtly but constantly downplay her capabilities as a change-maker, she remains steadfast.
Once elected as councilmember, Sara receives the official seal of the village, plans to bring a gas connection to all the houses, and deals with the day-to-day administrative quarrels. The tension between her and the other councilmembers becomes almost comical when they want to take the seal away from her, but she flat-out refuses. Or when her brother changes her new playground into a square after she carefully planned it as a circle. The more serious moments follow when she tries, and sometimes fails, to protect the young girls against the oppressive traditions.
It’s the meaningful interactions that make Cutting Through Rocks such a sincere documentary. Scenes of a morning tea brewing on the stove, ducks waddling around in the yard, and clothes being ironed on a pillow give the viewer an insight into the banality of life in the village. The focus lies on the conversations between Sara and the other villagers, where tradition, women’s agency, and gender are constantly being debated. The shots of Iran’s barren rural landscape create a quiet background that allows our protagonist’s personal story to unfold.
Unlike some feminist stories, the documentary doesn’t highlight the clash between Sara and the men around her. Instead, it demonstrates the richness of emotions that she evokes in the women of the village: when she gives an empowering speech, you can see the scared-but-excited smiles on the women’s faces, and when a girl is caught by her uncle driving a motorcycle, you can see her fear and disappointment. “To do something unconventional, sometimes there are consequences,” Sara tells the girl as she tries to reassure her. These intimate details add a heartfelt element to the film and serve as a counterbalance to the simplicity of the storyline.
Even though Sara Shahverdi faces many setbacks, the film brilliantly shows the great strength that lies in small but steady steps. She remains as grounded as the two trees her father planted on their family acre. Cutting Through Rocks paints an incredibly inspirational portrait of an unmovable woman.
Sacha Gyapjas is a second-year MA student in NYU’s International Relations department, focusing on international security and peacebuilding. Originally from Amsterdam, she not only obtained her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences at Amsterdam University College, but also carries the city’s spirit with her by aspiring to be a determined and compassionate professional in the field of IR. In the past, Sacha has reported on the Dutch creative industry, local news in Amsterdam, and written several pieces on social issues.
