Sara Shahverdi—a divorced, motorcycle-riding former midwife—is an unlikely leader in her conservative northwestern Iranian village. As the first woman ever elected to the local council, she’s determined to break the cycle of empty promises and complacency passed down by the men who came before her.

Fierce and unapologetic, Sara pushes for bold reforms, fighting her most difficult battles on behalf of the village’s girls and women. From teaching teenage girls to ride motorcycles to challenging child marriage to advocating for female land ownership, she openly defies patriarchal norms. But when her efforts spark backlash and accusations about her motives, Sara must confront not only her critics—but also her own sense of identity.

Join us for a special screening of the Academy Award-nominated documentary Cutting Through Rocks, followed by a conversation with filmmakers Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni.