Writing Hawa

Afghan documentary maker Najiba Noori offers not only a loving and intimate portrait of her mother, Hawa, but also shows in detail how the arduous improvement of the position of women is undone by geopolitical violence. The film follows the fortunes of Noori’s family, who belong to the Hazaras, an ethnic group that has suffered greatly from discrimination and persecution. Hawa was married off at the age of 13 to her much older husband, who now needs care. She has fought tirelessly to ensure a better future for her children and, despite her husband’s complaints, is determined to learn to read and start her own business. She therefore watches in dismay as the United States prepares a deal with the Taliban. Meanwhile, she takes her 14-year old granddaughter Zahra under her wing, who has run away from her abusive father.

When the last US troops withdraw from Kabul in August 2021, a lightning-fast Taliban takeover ensues. Najiba’s niece has to return to the village she escaped from, while Najiba has only minutes to decide whether to flee to Paris with nine kilograms of luggage and two hard drives filled with film material.