Malala and Jennifer Lawrence Team up in their New Documentary “Bread and Roses”
By Paige Donovan
Two influential women, Malala Yousafzai and Jennifer Lawrence, have teamed up to produce a documentary that shows the bravery and resilience of Afghan women. Their film, Bread and Roses, focuses on the fight for education, equality, and freedom under the Taliban’s oppressive rule.
Malala Yousafzai became a global advocate for girls’ education after surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban in 2012. Since then, she has worked to raise awareness about the struggles women face in restricted and oppressed circumstances. Bread and Roses aligns with her lifelong mission to advocate for the rights of girls and women. In the documentary, Malala amplifies the voices of Afghan women and speaks out for those who can not do so themselves.
Jennifer Lawrence, known best for her role in the Hunger Games series, became involved in the documentary after learning about Malala’s mission. Lawrence’s fame brings a global audience to the documentary, spreading this important message further.
Bread and Roses, filmed in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, where many Afghan refugees have fled, portrays the lives of women who are defying the odds. These women are teachers, activists, students, and workers, each with unique backgrounds and struggles. The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 marked a dramatic shift in the country, with many of the rights that Afghan women had fought for over the previous two decades being stripped away. In the face of this, Afghan women have continued to push for their education, their work, and their place in society, despite the extreme dangers they face.
Malala and Jennifer Lawrence chose to spotlight the personal stories of women who continue their fight for change. For instance, one teacher in Kabul educates girls in secret, risking imprisonment or worse. These stories highlight the determination of Afghan women as they strive for a future beyond the Taliban’s restrictions. The documentary aims to show their bravery and resilience rather than simply victimizing the women involved.
For both Malala and Jennifer Lawrence, making Bread and Roses was an emotional and moving experience. Malala, having worked on several advocacy projects, was particularly inspired by the courage of the women she met during filming. “They’ve lost so much, but they continue to fight,” she said. For Jennifer Lawrence, the documentary was a way to use her fame for a greater purpose. She emphasized that Afghan women are not only victims but real people who need to be heard.
Both women hope the film will start more conversation about the rights of women, especially in oppressive regions like the Taliban’s. Through Bread and Roses, they aim to highlight the urgent need for the international community to take action in support of Afghan women, whether through donations, political pressure, or simply raising awareness.