As the first elected councilwoman of her Iranian village, Sara Shahverdi aims to break long-held patriarchal traditions by training teenage girls to ride motorcycles and stopping child marriages. When accusations arise questioning Sara’s intentions to empower the girls, her identity is put in turmoil.

From the moment we meet Sara Shahverdi, she embodies perseverance and strength. Not easily intimidated — despite constant attempts — she is determined to uplift her community and put an end to the empty promises and laziness perpetuated by local councilmen over the years.

In their insightful debut feature documentary, co-directors Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni shine a light through simple observation on an extraordinarily tenacious individual. We witness Sara’s many wins and joys, as well as her struggles and heartbreaking setbacks. Her greatest goal, which feels so basic yet radical in this context, is to give women the option to choose their path — or at a minimum, have a say in it. Cutting Through Rocks (اوزاک یوللار) is a deeply moving vérité account of one woman’s fight for dignity that demands to be seen.—Ania Trzebiatowska

Available in person. Also available online for the public (January 30–February 2) and credentialed press and industry (January 29–February 2).