A Review of ‘Rule Breakers’: A largely inspiring true story of Afghani lady scientists striving to make their mark
Against heavy odds, an intrepid and ingenious Afghani woman puts together a team to compete in world robotic events.
‘Rule Breakers’: A largely inspiring true story of Afghani lady scientists striving to make their mark
Cast: Nikohl Boosheri, Noorin Gulamgaus, Nina Hosseinzadeh, Amber Afzali, Sara Malal Rowe, Mariam Saraj, Ali Fazal, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Waj Ali, Nasser Memarzia, Yekta Heidari Haratomeh, Fehd Benchemsi, Christian Contreras, Tatsu Carvalho, Ayoub Layoussifi, Nada El Belkasmi, Hasnae El Malki, Said Hamdi, Sami Fekkak, Andrew Hefler
Critic’s Rating: 3.5 Stars out of 5
Director: Bill Guttentag
Duration: 2 hours
Genre: Drama
Language: English
Release: 2025
What’s it about?
Against heavy odds, an intrepid and ingenious Afghani woman puts together a team to compete in world robotic events.
Review:
At a time when mostly bad news is emerging from Afghanistan with regard to curtailed human rights and the subjugation of women, along comes this positive film about a triumphant team of young lady citizens. This courageous group show their mettle at computer science and robotics in the face of discouragement, scepticism and adversity. And that too by using the minimal tools, funding and support at their disposal. Though this movie is undoubtedly a testament to the success of the human spirit, it is not altogether outstanding as a celluloid project. Yes, the narrative is commendably multifaceted in its use of montages, snapshots, newspaper headlines, TV reports, dialogue and magical realism. But the drama which juxtaposes challenges with resolutions seems a bit contrived at times. Nevertheless, the story progression is consistently engaging and a fitting tribute to relentless self-belief and dogged determination.
Rule Breakers opens during 2017 in the Afghanistan town of Herat. Here, visionary computer scientist Roya Mahboob (Nikohl Boosheri) makes a presentation about the potency of her specialisation to a class of young female students. However, what follows her inspiring talk is a perilous encounter that serves as a harsh reminder of the oppressive powers-that-are. Leaving the audience wondering whether Roya will survive this attack, the film then abruptly flashes back 13 years to the magical event when Roya first encountered a computer. However, with governmental policy only allowing male students and men to access this transformative machine, Roya has to fly under the radar in order to use it. Finally, at University, this enterprising and intelligent lass is able to stake her claim and initiate computer classes. Though she soon gets exposure by the media and attracts a benefactor in the Indian American entrepreneur Sameer (Ali Fazal), Roya realises she can only make her mark in Robotics.
With help from her brother Ali (Noorin Gulamgaus), Roya encourages several young Math and Science lady enthusiasts to take a test. However, on approaching the highest scorers, she is met with the grim reality of their cynical male relatives. But after much persuasion, Roya succeeds at assembling a quartet of promising young engineers. These include Taara (Nina Hosseinzadeh) who assists her father at his auto-repair garage and Haadiya (Sara Mala Rowe) who works as a delivery girl, in addition to the equally-talented Esin (Amber Afzali) and Arezo (Mariam Saraj). The team then sets about innovating robotic devices with the ambition of competing in global events at locations in the West. But despite Sameer putting up some capital, Afghanistani politics and customs prove to be formidable impediments, not to mention, so too the authorities at the American Embassy. Help arrives from an unexpected source enabling the team to get visas. But up against stiff competition with innumerable advantages, will these bright young ladies succeed?
Co-writer-and-director Bill Guttentag has crafted a fairly compelling film which unfolds almost like a documentary. But the actors, especially Boosheri in the lead, breathe life into their various roles. Also, the production design is convincing for the most part with the competition scenes well realised, but the display of urban Afghanistan merely adequate. However, the film effectively captures the wide-eyed wonder of the awesome foursome as they imbibe the nightlife and cultural scene of the western world. Guttentag contrasts this with the dreary and bleak culture-scape each time the travelling team returns home. However, the drama and suspense feels a bit unnecessary and monotonous at times. Still, it is affecting to watch tragedy strike amid the team’s victories and the girls subsequently taking stock of their lives.
Guttentag along with his fellow screenwriters Jason Brown and Elaha Mahboob, has conceived a script studded with memorable quotes. These include Roya stating, “I have a father who said “Yes” to me and it gave me wings” and “This is no more an Afghanistan of our father and grandfathers. It is our Afghanistan, our time.”... or words to that effect. The story also throws up some joyful and moving surprises, like during an airport scene and at a New Mexico garage. Plus, it is interesting to discover that the Afghan women’s team invent a device that can especially benefit their own troubled homeland. In conclusion, the audience will enjoy watching these Rule Breakers who triumph at breaking their own nation’s rules for the greater good.
