Afghanistan before civil war broke out in the late-1970s: the ardent communist Suraya (from a wealthy family) and the conservative Muslim Sima (from a modest background) are best friends. But when Sima’s brother is killed by the Communist Party, their friendship is put to the test. Driven by a desire for revenge, Sima joins the Mujahideen in Pakistan, while Suraya rises within the party. It is only when they are forced to escape from prison together that they realise how true friendship is also capable of bridging political divides.

“It is the first film from Afghanistan by a female Afghan director about special friendship about two women (…) We decided to shoot in Greece because we found incredible locations to recreate Kabul in 1979 (…) Athens has many buildings from the 1970s and some are strikingly similar to those in Kabul.” (co-producer Alba Sotorra)

Roya Sadat, born in Kabul/Afghanistan in 1981, is the co-founder of Roya Film House and of the Herat International Women’s Film Festival. She received the “Malalai Medal” and the “International Women of Courage Award” for her advocacy in favour of women’s rights. Her feature film, NAMAI BA RAHIS GOMHOR [A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT] of 2017, was selected for the festivals in Palm Springs/USA and Busan/South Korea, among others, and won the One Future Prize at the Munich International Film Festival and the Audience Award at the Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema in France. The second, SIMA’S SONG, received the TAICCA Award at Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Project Market.

Filmography (selection): 2003 SE NOGHTA, 2017 NAMAI BA RAHIS GOMHOR, 2024 SIMA’S SONG