The remarkable true story of Afghanistan's first all-female robotics team has been brought to life in Bill Guttentag's inspiring new film Rule Breakers, available on digital platforms from 17 November.
Defying Expectations in STEM Education
This rousing drama follows trailblazing businesswoman and coach Roya Mahboob, portrayed by Nikohl Boosheri, as she assembles a team of young Afghan women passionate about robotics and engineering. These determined students come from diverse backgrounds but share a common enthusiasm for science and technology, despite operating in a country where women face significant barriers to education.
The film powerfully depicts the challenges these aspiring engineers confront daily. Their own families often oppose their ambitions, while conservative elements in society publicly scorn their pursuit of international robotics competitions. In a nation where female education is frequently discouraged or outright forbidden, their quest for medals becomes an act of profound courage.
Thrilling Competition Sequences
Rule Breakers reaches its most exhilarating moments during the robotics competition scenes. Director Guttentag masterfully blends real documentary footage with fictional re-enactments, creating an immersive experience that captures the excitement of these international events. The film even features a cameo from Phoebe Waller-Bridge as a competition host.
These sequences brim with infectious energy as the camera dynamically follows the young competitors, all radiating passion for their scientific endeavours. The film presents these international gatherings as havens that foster camaraderie rather than cutthroat competition, offering a utopian vision of global collaboration and solidarity amidst worldwide military conflicts.
Navigating Complex Political Realities
While the film excels in capturing the team's enthusiasm and determination, it proves less assured when confronting the darker aspects of their story. Apart from brief scenes depicting visa rejections for American travel, Rule Breakers largely avoids deeper engagement with the Afghan war and its specific impact on women.
The narrative establishes a clear dichotomy between Western support and domestic oppression through elements like external funding and media coverage. However, this distinction arguably requires more political nuance given the complicated legacy of American intervention in Afghanistan. While parts of the film are wonderfully spirited, the extraordinary journey of this robotics team might have benefited from a more layered storytelling approach than that of a conventional feelgood movie.
Despite these limitations, Rule Breakers stands as a testament to female resilience and the transformative power of STEM education. It celebrates young women who dare to dream beyond draconian social restrictions, offering an uplifting story of international achievement against formidable odds.
