OSCARS 2026: Cutting Through Rocks (2025)

International cinema is vital because it gives us a window into the lives of other people from other country. If you're an American, like me, you probably do not have a very accurate understanding of far away places. Looking at art from another country, if nothing else, gives you a peek into how people over there see themselves. To the average American, I imagine they perceive Iran as nothing but endless stretches of desert, dotted with little villages. Popular conceptions like this is why it's easy for my government to convince its populace that it's fine to drop bombs on this place. Iran has a thriving film industry though. Another reminder of this is “Cutting Through Rocks,” a nomination for Best Documentary Feature that gives us a fly-on-the-wall perspective of a tiny corner of Iran and the struggles that go on there. 

The film, from directors Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni, concerns Sara Shahverdi. She is the first woman elected to the town council in her small village. She has a passion for riding motorcycles and often goes right to the homes of people seeking her help. She is especially focused on helping the teenage girls in her town, many of whom are forced into marriages to older men before they are even 18. The village has many traditionalist men in it, who are aghast at the idea of a woman holding a position of leadership in the town. Eventually, the authorities go so far as to make Sara undergo a DNA test to prove that she isn't a man in disguise. Despite these challenges, she continues forward on her journey to help others.

 

Sometimes, a documentary only needs an interesting subject to succeed. Sara Shahverdi quickly establishes herself as a real character. The opening scene has her pulling down an old gate, an on-the-nose metaphor for the way she confronts the barriers put before her head-on. She cruises around on her motorcycle, wearing sunglasses, and teaches other girls how to ride and operate the machines. When she is at a council meeting, eating with people and casually sitting in their homes, it gives the impression more of someone hanging out with friends than a government matter. Basically, Sara Shahverdi being a town councilwoman strikes me a bit as if your cool aunt got elected to a minor position of power. She's tenacious, passionate, calm, considerate, and personable. Cool lady, I would say. 
 

The Academy almost always nominates documentaries that touch on important social issues, effecting countless people all over the world. “Cutting Through Rocks” is one of those too. Unsurprisingly, Shahverdi is often challenged by the men in her town. One guy has a loud argument with her right on the street, following her back to her car. On another occasion, they are harassed by a group of men as Shahverdi and her friends ride on their bikes. In the last act, when accused of being a man bringing women back to her home for improper reasons, Shahverdi is led into an office by a machine gun carrying guard. She's outright told to stop being so active, that it is not suitable for a woman to do so. The topic of teenage girls being married off comes to a head in a scene where another town councilman is confronted by a young woman. He outright states that he sees no problem with this tradition and suggests the girl before him – she looks 13 – should get married soon herself. It's infuriating. 

While “Cutting Through Rocks” has a compelling central heroine and points a camera at some distressing traditions, the film is also almost painfully slow. There's little music throughout. The camera crew stands back and watches these sometimes mundane interactions and meetings. Scenes dispassionately flow into each other, at a tortoise's pace. There's little editing, the captured scenes playing out in real time more often than not. It's not that these moments aren't interesting but it progresses so slowly. Watched at the end of a long day, I'll admit I was fighting sleep a little bit. I suppose what I'm saying is that “Cutting Through Rocks” needed more motorcycle riding. 

Ultimately, I'm glad I watched “Cutting Through Rocks.” Shahverdi seems like a brave woman, passionate about helping others and determined to personally enact positive change in her home town against long-held traditions. I admire that a lot. I'm glad she got this spotlight. I do wish the film was a little punchier in terms of pacing. Nevertheless, it is an interesting film and probably a valuable, for exposing more eyeballs to a culture and challenges that they might not think about otherwise. I hope Shahverdi and those around her aren't effected by the actions of America's military. [6/10]