Defying the earnest entreaties of her family and friends to steer clear of a venture delving into the harsh realities of Taliban territory, Jennifer Lawrence valiantly embarked on the creation of the groundbreaking Apple TV+ documentary, "Bread and Roses." Directed by Sahra Mani, the documentary premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, shining a spotlight on the relentless struggle of three women to reclaim their autonomy under the oppressive Taliban regime following the fall of Kabul in August 2021.
Speaking recently to CBS Mornings about her journey in making this documentary, Lawrence revealed, "My immediate instinct was to do what the Taliban didn't want us to do – provide locals with access to record and document real-time events. 'I can't fathom a life where I can't take a taxi or listen to music,'" she expressed.
Mani further elaborated on the dire straits faced by Afghan women under the Taliban's iron-fisted rule, where they are stripped of their right to work and even a simple stroll outdoors necessitates chaperoning. "They cannot sing, play music, make films within Afghanistan's borders, or dine out at restaurants," she added.
Addressing the film's controversial subject matter, Lawrence admitted, "My family and friends did advise me against taking on this project. It's undeniably risky. But let's not forget, the lives of 20 million women hang in the balance." The Oscar winner also faced cyberbullying, with trolls questioning her educational background's adequacy for tackling such a theme.
" Trolls will always have their say," Lawrence remarked. "I once admitted on a 60 Minutes episode that I dropped out of high school, so technically, I'm not educated. A common质疑 was, 'Why should an uneducated person talk about politics?' To that, I say, it's not about politics but about people's lives."
"Yet, in a way, it is political because we should urge our senators to take action, to engage and make our government more accountable," she continued, highlighting the need for the United Nations to address gender apartheid more seriously. "I don't view it as political. I'm educated in filmmaking, and I excel at storytelling," she asserted.
Variety magazine hailed "Bread and Roses" at Cannes as a "work fueled by righteous indignation," stating, "Through a resolute on-the-ground lens, the film delves into a pressing and timely topic, chronicling the experiences of its three protagonists – Zahra, Taranom, and Sharifa – whose familiar lives came to an abrupt end after the Taliban's seizure of Kabul in 2021."
"Bread and Roses" will be available on Apple TV+ on November 22. Below is the full interview with Lawrence on CBS Mornings.
