When in 2020 the U.S. decided to withdraw their troops from Afghanistan, the country as well as the whole region delved into a period of uncertainty. Fearing the Taliban would again take hold of the political and cultural life, many thought a time defined by violence, repression and inequality would start again. Women in Afghanistan feared for the worst, especially when the peace talks were announced and it was rumored they would be left out, which confirmed their belief. However, in the final commission, consisting of 21 members, four women were ultimately nominated, a heavy responsibility, as their decision would define the country they live in for future generations. In her documentary “The Sharp Edge of Peace”, director Roya Sadat takes a look at these four women, their background and the challenges they had to face once nominated as peace delegates in Afghanistan.
Like many of her colleagues, Sadat was forced into exile when the Taliban resurfaced in 2021. In her statement for “The Sharp Edge of Peace”, she and her crew highlight how the documentary is both a portrayal of these four women, but also a “call to action” as political participation is a necessary prerequisite if you want lasting peace. Therefore, her feature follows the work of Fatima Gailani, Fawzia Koofi, Habiba Sarabi and Sharifa Zurmati, but at the same time takes a look at a country's transition. Throughout the women's meetings with several groups within the Afghan society, we come to understand the struggles of these men and women, the emotional and psychological wounds the war has left behind as well as how the years under the Taliban have left them afraid a new era of oppression is on the rise.
As the documentary opens, we witness the aftermath of an assassination attempt on Fawzia Koofi. Still in shock, she nevertheless continues her task of negotiating, meeting with several people and her team to make sure the peace talks can go on. It is one of many instances Sadat manages to capture showing the tremendous strength of these four women as they have realized giving in is not an option, not for them and not for the other women living in Afghanistan. Combined with several facts about the history of the country, especially focusing on the development of women's rights, the statements of Gailani, Koofie, Sarabi and Zurmati are perceived in a bigger context. The “joint pain” (Sarabi) they have suffered during the war and under Taliban rule has to be seen as a reminder to not let things slide into the wrong direction as the consequences will be quite severe.
“The Sharp Edge of Peace” is a documentary about the peace talks in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of U.S. troops in 2020. Director Roya Sadat shows the four women who took part in the peace talks, their struggles and their will to not let their country delve into the “dark times” again. The documentary is both inspirational given its four “protagonists”, but also an eye-opening feature on the struggles of women in Afghanistan.
