In a country where freedom is rapidly being stripped away, one Afghan woman's story serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience that lies within. Hawa Noori's journey, captured in Najiba Noori's thought-provoking film "Writing Hawa", takes viewers on a heart-wrenching ride through the private struggles and public turmoil of a nation under siege.
At just 13 years old, Hawa was forced into an unhappy marriage with a man three decades her senior. Now in her adulthood, she has finally found the courage to pursue her dreams – learning to read and write, starting her own textile business, and forging a new path forward for herself. But beneath her growing sense of empowerment lies the knowledge that the laws imposing themselves on Afghan women are about to become even more draconian.
With an unflinching lens, Najiba Noori's camera captures the intricate dance between Hawa's inner world and the external forces threatening her freedom. Her candid conversations with her own daughter, Zahra, reveal a complex tapestry of hopes and fears – from the stifling expectations placed on young women to the painful cycle of trauma that has been passed down through generations.
As the Taliban closes in, Noori finds herself at the forefront of the family's fight for survival. A tender sequence with her granddaughter shows the unlikely bond between two strong-willed women finding common ground over a shared love of learning. But when Zahra is forced to flee and later marry against her will, Hawa's story becomes one of unrelenting heartache.
What sets "Writing Hawa" apart from other films is its refusal to shy away from the brutal realities that Afghan women face in their daily lives. From devastating drone strikes to public executions, Noori lays bare the horrors of war without ever resorting to sensationalism or melodrama.
Throughout her journey, Hawa's story intersects with the external world in meaningful ways – from the far-flung towns she visits for business research to the crumbling infrastructure that threatens to tear families apart. It is a testament to Najiba Noori's filmmaking skill that even as she explores these darker themes, there remains an enduring sense of hope and determination.
Despite fleeing the country herself, Noori continues to bring Hawa's story back to Afghanistan – a tribute to the women who remain behind, their futures uncertain but their courage unbroken.
At just 13 years old, Hawa was forced into an unhappy marriage with a man three decades her senior. Now in her adulthood, she has finally found the courage to pursue her dreams – learning to read and write, starting her own textile business, and forging a new path forward for herself. But beneath her growing sense of empowerment lies the knowledge that the laws imposing themselves on Afghan women are about to become even more draconian.
With an unflinching lens, Najiba Noori's camera captures the intricate dance between Hawa's inner world and the external forces threatening her freedom. Her candid conversations with her own daughter, Zahra, reveal a complex tapestry of hopes and fears – from the stifling expectations placed on young women to the painful cycle of trauma that has been passed down through generations.
As the Taliban closes in, Noori finds herself at the forefront of the family's fight for survival. A tender sequence with her granddaughter shows the unlikely bond between two strong-willed women finding common ground over a shared love of learning. But when Zahra is forced to flee and later marry against her will, Hawa's story becomes one of unrelenting heartache.
What sets "Writing Hawa" apart from other films is its refusal to shy away from the brutal realities that Afghan women face in their daily lives. From devastating drone strikes to public executions, Noori lays bare the horrors of war without ever resorting to sensationalism or melodrama.
Throughout her journey, Hawa's story intersects with the external world in meaningful ways – from the far-flung towns she visits for business research to the crumbling infrastructure that threatens to tear families apart. It is a testament to Najiba Noori's filmmaking skill that even as she explores these darker themes, there remains an enduring sense of hope and determination.
Despite fleeing the country herself, Noori continues to bring Hawa's story back to Afghanistan – a tribute to the women who remain behind, their futures uncertain but their courage unbroken.
It's like, you can't look away from Hawa's story - it's so heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time 
I mean, who wouldn't want to see a young girl find her voice and pursue her dreams despite everything being stacked against her? 
But what really gets me is how raw and honest Najiba Noori is about the struggles Afghan women face. It's not sugarcoated or easy to watch, but it's necessary 
And can we talk about Hawa's resilience? Girl, she's been through so much and yet she's still standing tall 
Like, that's what I call courage 
it's like you're right there with Hawa, feeling her pain and fear. The way the film shows how these draconian laws are affecting everyday life in Afghanistan is just heartbreaking 
But what's even more impressive is the way Najiba Noori tells Hawa's story without sugarcoating it – she shows us the brutal realities of war and its effects on innocent people. It's not an easy watch, but it's so necessary. I also love how the film highlights the resilience of women like Hawa who refuse to give up in the face of adversity 
. But at the same time, I love how she's found a way to turn things around, starting her own business and learning to read and write... it's like she's defying the odds or something 
. The film sounds so powerful, I need to check it out ASAP 
.
. It's not sugarcoating anything, but at the same time, it's showing us that even in the darkest of times, there's always hope 
. Hawa's story is so raw and real, I feel like I'm right there with her, experiencing all the emotions she's going through 
this docu is so emotional I felt like I was right there with Hawa going through all her struggles I loved how it didn't shy away from the harsh realities of life in Afghanistan and at the same time still had a message of hope and resilience Interesting 
how can we support these women who are fighting for their rights in such a tough environment?