The 41st Warsaw Film Festival in Poland concluded with the Iranian documentary “Cutting Through Rocks” (Ouzak Yollar), directed by Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni, receiving the prestigious NETPAC Award for advancing Asia-Pacific cinema.
Cutting Through Rocks chronicles the life of a 37-year-old former midwife who becomes the first woman elected to her rural Iranian village council. Riding her motorcycle across the village to oversee her land and duties, she courageously challenges traditional gender norms — from fighting child marriage to securing community infrastructure — all while inspiring women and girls around her.
The film’s journey to international acclaim has been remarkable. It won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize (Documentary) at Sundance 2025, screened at the Sydney International Documentary Festival, and is slated for the IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam). Its compelling observational style, filmed over six years with intimate cinematography, captures not only a woman’s struggle but also the heartbeat of a remote Azerbaijani-speaking Iranian community.
Festival director statements praised the film for its “brave storytelling and unflinching focus on gender equity and rural activism,” highlighting its global resonance in conversations about social change.
The 41st Warsaw Film Festival ran from October 10 to 19, 2025, presenting an array of international films while spotlighting emerging voices from Asia-Pacific, including this standout Iranian documentary.