IN THE ROOM: A POWERFUL DOCUMENTARY!
IN THE ROOM
SBIFF 2026
Interview with Director: Brishkay Ahmed.
We all have heard about the ordeal of Afghan women and the enduring nightmare they go through over there. With ‘In The Room’ (trailer: https://vimeo.com/1117465479 ), maverick director Brishkay Ahmed is talking with five exiled Afghan women and about their commitment to freedom and equality. This is a true call for Action to liberate the voices and the lives of all Afgha women. This is an awakening message to the leaders of the World to put pressure on the current Afghan regime, so we see one day a change for the better. This film put tears in my eyes, and I salute the bravery of the women who got involved with Brishkay Ahmed to tell the truth about this intolerable horrible situation in Afghanistan. One day, Peace will come, and Women shall be liberated.
Q: What was the inspiration and the motivation to do this beautiful so touching movie: ‘In the room’?
Brishkay: Thank you for calling my film a “beautiful movie”. I appreciate that. It’s a movie exploring my motivation for my identity after talking to five amazing Afghan women.
Q: What is the movie really talking about?
Brishkay: Every person watching this film will have their own take away. But for me, it’s truly about the lives of Afghan immigrants and how they learn to live their new life away from their home country. It’s also about reconnecting who I am as a woman. It’s about falling in love with an identity that for so long has been connected with oppression and violence and terrorism. It’s almost an identity that lacks beauty or power. The film shows a very diverse group of Afghan women who did tremendous brave acts.
Q: What were your challenges making this film?
Brishkay: The biggest challenge was to convince these women to be part of this film. Each of them did a very bold act and they faced a lot of backlashes. It wasn’t easy to get them onboard. I think for a lot of them it was hard to re-live that and to testify about their lives and their experience.
Q: You could have chosen to do a fiction, a drama but you chose to do a documentary, how come?
Brishkay: The factual reality of Afghan women is quite dramatic and heartbreaking. But their lives are also empowering and inspiring. Afghan women are phenomenal protagonists. With a documentary format you shine the light on truth. It’s a veryengaged format to tell these stories and I thought this was the most engaging way to do so.
Q: Do you hope your film can put back a little of focus on Afghanistan, especially now that the medias focus more on Iran or Ukraine?
Brishkay: Yes, and it’s true. It’s sad. There is so much happening in the World. There are so many horrors. We live in very difficult times. All we can do is give voice to what is closest to us and that is what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to get the World to pay attention to Afghan women. Don’t forget about us: We exist!
Q: Being here at the Santa Barbara film festival, what does it mean? Any expectations?
Brishkay: It’s a festival that shines the light on Hollywood and Hollywood has always been supportive of Afghan women. I hope we get warmth and care. This is a place that cares about women rights and immigrant rights. So, I hope we get a warm welcome for my movie and for these women. Santa Barbara Film Festival feels it’s the right place to Premiere our movie.
By: Emmanuel ITIER
