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Becoming the first anyone is a point of satisfaction, but also a responsibility. Sara Shahverdi has forged her own path through a deeply traditional village in rural Iran. An skilled midwife who has brought into the world hundreds of babies, she has always done what is prohibited of women: to operate a motorcycle in public, to secure a divorce and to live independently. Now she has embarked on another daunting task: to become the pioneering female councillor to be elected in this part of the country.

A Powerful Feature

Staying intimate to its subject, Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni’s energetic documentary portrays the complete power of Shahverdi’s impressive personality. An opening scene illustrates her barging into the home of her brothers, insisting they return the rights of land inheritance to her sisters. The film extends from Shahverdi’s private issues to encompass the entire range of male-dominated oppression in her community. Here, schoolgirls as young as 12 are pushed into marriage, divorce is virtually unattainable to secure, and married women have scarce legal protection. Shahverdi’s overwhelming election victory is a ray of hope, but even her festivities are marred by misogyny. Her male supporters can celebrate in the streets, while women have to film the festivities through a barred window.

Stunning Reforms

As council member, Shahverdi introduces impressive changes to the village; however, her support of women and girls also provokes malicious allegations about her sexuality that place her in court. Through these challenges and struggles, and shifting between moods of joy and uncertainty, the documentary evocatively conveys her sisyphean exhaustion, where each advance is negated by new obstacles. While we might want to hear more about the specific cultural geography of the Azeri Turk community to which Shahverdi belongs, this stands as a reflective portrait of an remarkable spirit.

Breaking Barriers is at Bertha DocHouse, London, from 17 October.