Malala to spearhead Apple TV documentary on Afghan women

The Nobel peace prize winner joins Jennnifer Lawrence to shed light on the struggles of women under Taliban rule

According to a statement released by Apple Original films, Apple has landed the global rights to the documentary Bread & Roses. The documentary explores the powerful resistance of Afghan women against the Taliban, and is produced by Malala Yousafzai, Jennifer Lawrence, and Justine Ciarrocchi. 

The film follows three women in real time as they fight to recover their autonomy. According to Apple, the documentary offers a powerful window into the seismic impact that the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2021 had on women’s rights and livelihoods. Bread & Roses debuted at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, and is set to premiere globally on Apple TV+ on June 21. 

Shedding light on the issues explored by Bread & Roses, director and producer Sahra Mani said, “Closing girls’ schools in Afghanistan is not just a matter of feminist concern; rather, it is a matter of international security. She went on to add, “The Taliban recognise that the children of educated mothers are difficult to indoctrinate and are less susceptible to becoming their future soldiers. Ensuring that girls’ schools remain open in Afghanistan is crucial for the preservation and safety of our entire world.”

Since its launch in November 2019, Apple TV+ has become known for becoming the first all-original streaming service to launch globally. The streaming service offers original compelling drama, comedy series, feature films, and groundbreaking documentaries, and is home to the award-winning comedy Ted Lasso.

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