Hollywood A-Lister and UNHCR Good Will Ambassador and Special Envoy to Afghanistan, Angelina Jolie, lent her support to the woman-centric Afghan movie, Hava, Maryam, Ayesha, ahead of its debut at the Venice Film Festival.
Helmed by first time director Sahraa Karimi, the movie documents the lives of three Afghan women from different backgrounds and the choices they have to make in life.
“A delicately made and moving film that chronicles the lives of young women in contemporary Afghanistan. It shows the grace, beauty and spirit of Afghan women as they navigate marriage, love, friendship, family and motherhood,” said Jolie in a show of support to the female centered narrative.
With a female producer, Katayoon Shahabi and an entirely Afghan cast and crew, the movie is a success for Afghanistan, that has long been under or misrepresented. The director, Karimi, in an interview at the Venice Film Festival thanked the director of the festival, Alberto Barbera, profusely.
“We would like to thank Alberto Barbera and the Venice festival for inviting my movie and giving me a platform to bring attention to the issues my country is facing – in particular, the need to guarantee fundamental women’s rights in Afghanistan. Gender equality enables a country to gain prosperity and is fundamental for global peace,” she said, as reported by Variety.
Talking about the situation in Afghanistan, Jolie shed light on the show of valor that the movie signifies. “Every film made in Afghanistan is a triumph against the odds. At a time when the future of Afghanistan is hanging in the balance, it reminds us of all that is at stake for millions of Afghan women, who deserve the freedom, independence and safety to make their own choices – in their own homes, and throughout society as a whole,” said the star.
Hava, Maryam, Ayesha has also been nominated for Best Fiction Movie at the prestigious festival. Watch the trailer here:
