Rule Breakers, the latest feature film from Oscar-winning director Bill Guttentag and Angel Studios, is a powerful and deeply moving tribute to the transformative power of education for women and girls. Based on the extraordinary true story of the Afghan Dreamers, this film goes beyond a simple underdog narrative to explore what it truly means to resist oppression with defiance, intelligence and fearlessness.
The film tells the inspiring story of Roya Mahboob (played by Circumstance star Nikohl Boosheri), a bright young woman in Afghanistan who dared to dream big. In a society where computers were considered only for boys, Roya’s passion for technology was clear to see and even encouraged by her family. Determined to learn, Roya struck a deal with Abdul (Nasser Memarzia), the local coffee shop owner, trading computer lessons for precious early-morning access to his sole machine. This act of defiance, small in scale, ignited a much grander ambition.
With the support of her brother, Ali (Noorin Gulamgaus), and financial backing from Samir (Ali Fazal), a supportive Indian-American businessman, Roya launches Afghanistan’s first female-owned software company. This led to the creation of the Afghan Dreamers, an all girls’ robotics team.
With limited resources, unjust travel restrictions and social disapproval, Roya and her team had to build their first robot in just two weeks because customs delayed their parts, while other teams had months to prepare. When their U.S. visa applications are denied, the girls decide seek help from the media, generating public pressure that ultimately secured their passage.
Rule Breakers goes beyond simply listing these obstacles. It immerses viewers in the emotional and physical risks these girls faced. After the U.S. and NATO withdrawal in 2021, the Taliban banned girls from attending school beyond sixth grade, making Afghanistan the only country in the world with such a restriction. In this context, the girls’ pursuit of knowledge became a form of resistance.
With strong performances, compelling storytelling, and beautiful cinematography, “Rule Breakers” is more than just a film about robotics. It’s about the fight for the right to education and the hope that knowledge can illuminate even the darkest times. It reminds us that when knowledge is seen as dangerous, those who seek it become revolutionaries.
Ultimately, Rule Breakers is sure to leave audiences us with a mix of outrage and hope. Outrage that girls in many parts of the world still face barriers to education, and hope that the Afghan Dreamers’ story will inspire a new generation to persevere, no matter the odds. It’s a testament to the power of education and the extraordinary courage of those who dare to pursue it.
