ZAinab Entezar he is a young director whowith his work, He is giving voice to one of the hardest struggles for freedom and fundamental rights. Escape from Afghanistan, to avoid capture by the Taliban, Entezar has found refuge in Europe, where he continues to tell the resistance of the women of his country through cinema and writing. His artistic commitment was recognized by Human Rights Film Festival of Naples and from the Suspended coffee networkso much so that the director will be the testimonial of the 2025 edition. From May 19th he will bring his history and the testimony of those who still fight for freedom under the Islamic regime in Italy.
In Italy Zainab Entezar, the Afghan director who challenges the Taliban
The Human Rights Film Festival of Naples and the Suspended coffee networkthey are two initiatives with a strong social commitment: the Festival, born To tell the violations of fundamental rights through the film languageselects films, documentaries and works every year that denounce oppressions and injustices in the world. The suspended coffee network, however, promotes meetings with intellectuals, writers and artists who live under authoritarian regimescreating moments of dialogue between them and the public.
In this context, Zainab Entezar represents a figure of great importance, a woman who has challenged the restrictions imposed in her country And today he continues to make his voice heard, despite the threats and difficulties.
The story of a refugee director
Zainab Entezar She was born in Kabul and built her career between journalism and direction. Graduated in journalism and with a master’s degree in public administration, He has always used the word and image to tell the reality of Afghanistan and denounce human rights violations. His artistic journey began with writing. In 2017 he published the book A Man of the Gentle Kind of Fatherfollowed in 2020 from Yusra. In 2023, one of his third books was published in Denmark. But his most recent work, Fumento the silencepublished in 2025 in Italy, It is a collection of 36 interviews with Afghan womenwitnesses of repression and female resistance under the Taliban government.
The refugee director in Europe carries on a battle against censorship and oppression, using cinema to make known the resistance stories of Afghan women (X.com/oscarentezar)
From writing to cinema
Parallel to writing, Entezar has started a film career, with short films and documentaries projected in various international festivals. His first feature film, Against The Talibanwas shot in front of the eyes of the Taliban, an act of challenge and extreme courage. Presented for the first time at the IDFA Festival of Amsterdamthe film received strong attention and continued to be screened in different countries. In 2025, The director brings his new documentary on tour, Shot the Voice of Freedomshot in 2021 in Afghanistan, during a period of strong instability.
The struggle of Afghan women against female repression
After the return of the Taliban to power, The condition of women in Afghanistan has undergone a serious blow: The right to education has been denied girls over 12 years of age, many personal freedoms have been canceled and those who dare rebel are imprisoned or killed. Afghan women, however, have not stopped fighting. They were born clandestine resistance movements, with activists willing to risk life to defend freedom.
And Zainab Entezar tells these stories in his films and in his books, giving voice to the courage of these women who challenge death every day. “My work is an act of resistance. Telling what happens is fundamental because the world does not forget What is going on to Afghan women, “Zainab said in an interview.
Zainab Entezar’s Italian tour and resistance support
The Italian Tour of Zainab Entezar will start on May 19thmaking a stop in the city such as Salerno, Naples, Florence, Rome, Ragusa, Comiso, Trieste, Ravenna and Forlì. During these meetings, the public will have the opportunity to get to know his story closely and see his films. There Suspended coffee networkmoreover, invites anyone who can, to stay in touch with the director, helping her in the distribution of his works. “It is essential to support those who oppose totalitarian regimes and those who risk their lives to defend the right of expression”.
A journey between memory and hope
That of Zainab Entezar, it’s not just a film tour, but it is rather a testimony of courage and resistance. Through his art, he brings an important message to Italy: that of the struggle for freedom, the identity of a people and the defense of fundamental rights.
With his films and books, The director continues to fighteven from afar, for an Afghanistan that can finally guarantee equality, justice and peace. The tour will be a unique opportunity to listen to a voice that has never stopped telling the dramatic reality of its country.
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