Synopsis
After 35 years of war, Afghanistan has one of the highest rates of domestic violence and a judicial system that severely lacks in just family law. On top of which, those working tirelessly for reform face severe opposition from conservatives.
After 35 Years was an official selection of the 2011 WVN Online Film Festival and received an award in the Narrative Shorts category.
About the Filmmaker
Alka Sadat, born in Herat, Afghanistan, studied cinema in Italy. She most recently won an award from the Al Jazeera International Documentary Film Festival! 2011 (Public Liberties & Human Rights). She is currently Vice President of Roya Film House (RFH), an independent Afghan film company with a focus on human rights and host of the International Women’s Film Festival — Afghanistan.
Sadat was a young child when the Taliban came to power. Her mother, not wanting her and her sister Roya to go uneducated, broke the law by teaching them at home.
When the Taliban regime was abolished, Sadat started working with her sister making films, establishing the Roya Film House in 2003. Like her sister, Alka Sadat is a prolific filmmaker who has won numerous awards from several international film festivals. She has directed many films focused on women’s issues in Afghanistan.
From 2012-2013, Sadat made three documentary films for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, which explored efforts by UN agencies and the international community to help rebuild the country and its institutions. Sadat most recently completed Afghanistan Night Story, a film about the elite Afghan Army commandos.
