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In Her Hands

Play trailer Poster for In Her Hands PG-13 2022 1h 33m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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58% Tomatometer 12 Reviews 36% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Filmed across two turbulent years, In Her Hands tells the story of Zarifa Ghafari, who at 26 became one of Afghanistan's first female mayors and the youngest to ever hold the position. The film documents her fight for survival against the backdrop of her country's accelerated unraveling. As Western forces announce their retreat and the Taliban start their sweep back to power, Zarifa and women across the country face a new reality. Amid these tectonic changes, Zarifa must make the most difficult decision of her life.
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In Her Hands

Critics Reviews

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S. Nicole Lane Chicago Reader 11/23/2022
The film is an introduction to Ghafari’s activism and career, but it shouldn’t be the end of it. Go to Full Review Noel Murray Los Angeles Times 11/18/2022
By giving a voice both to Ghafari and — in a few scattered scenes — her fierce opposition, “In Her Hands” does capture with direct immediacy how hard it can be to loosen up a culture with a tradition of rigidity. Go to Full Review Devika Girish New York Times 11/16/2022
At points, the lack of context is not just sloppy but irresponsible. Go to Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills 11/18/2022
As mayor from 2017, what was she able to accomplish before it all began to fall apart? We have no idea. Nor can we quite suss why the filmmakers give nearly equal focus to her driver-bodyguard... Go to Full Review Romey Norton Ready Steady Cut 11/17/2022
3.5/5
Women have obstacles put in their way from birth, and the passion and upset in this documentary that we see from not only Zarifa herself but her family is heartbreaking. Go to Full Review Zoë Rose Bryant Next Best Picture 11/16/2022
4/10
Not only is the time we spend with Ghafari simply a straightforward telling of history (and not the parts we’re most interested in), but there needs to be more of it Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dinos K @RT17774489 03/12/2024 The best biopic I've ever seen. Afghanistan was a great Nation before being destroyed by US Army. That's the American "democracy" See more Georgan G @RT98616417 10/16/2023 3 & 1/4 stars. This documentary is about a brave Afghan woman who was a mayor until the Taliban took over when the US withdrew. See more Shaun R @GoDuke88 08/28/2023 I thought the film was well done. See more Nrsimhananda das @RT92978199 08/19/2023 A narrative movie could not have surpassed the extraordinary character development in this inspiring, yet deeply disturbing, profound quest for human dignity. Death shadows every action and word in front of and behind the camera. Sometimes I found myself wishing that these real people were actors; their ordeal is just too painful. The eye for detail and steadiness of gaze by the cinematographer captures an empathetic grasp of life staring down fear every moment of the day and night. The real human torment stemming from US policies in Afghanistan is agonizingly revealed. How the filmmakers were given such access to both sides in this conflict is a mystery. I am glad that I watched it; I gained strength from these people. Dogmas are such a scourge upon humanity. See more Read all reviews
In Her Hands

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Marcel Mettelsiefen

Director

Tamana Ayazi

Director

Zarifa Ghafari

Self

Juan Camilo Cruz

Producer

Jonathan Schaerf

Producer

Tamana Ayazi

Executive Producer

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In Her Hands

In Her Hands (2022) In Her Hands (2022) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Filmed across two turbulent years, In Her Hands tells the story of Zarifa Ghafari, who at 26 became one of Afghanistan's first female mayors and the youngest to ever hold the position. The film documents her fight for survival against the backdrop of her country's accelerated unraveling. As Western forces announce their retreat and the Taliban start their sweep back to power, Zarifa and women across the country face a new reality. Amid these tectonic changes, Zarifa must make the most difficult decision of her life.
Director
Marcel Mettelsiefen, Tamana Ayazi
Producer
Juan Camilo Cruz, Jonathan Schaerf
Distributor
Netflix
Production Co
Propagate, HiddenLight Productions, Moondog Productions
Rating
PG-13 (Brief Drug Use|Violent Content|Brief Strong Language)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 11, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 16, 2022
Runtime
1h 33m