On December 17th 2003, a 25-year-old woman called Malalai Joya stood up during the Afghan Grand Assembly and declared that many of those present were 'felons' and 'criminals' who had turned the country 'into the nucleus of national and international wars'.
It was an explosive entrance onto the Afghan national political scene and - as proved by the footage that kicks off this compelling documentary - it all took place in front of cameras.
As support for her spread she received countless death threats, becaming as much a hunted figure as a symbol for change in her war-torn country. As Joya reflects at the start of the film, 'even though so many women have taken off the burkha following my suggestion, now I have to wear it'.
By the time director Eva Malvad caught up with her, Joya had survived four assassination attempts, but was more determined than ever to make her political mark. The film subsequently follows her on the campaign trial for the 2005 Afghan parliamentary election - the first democratic election in 30 years.
As well as offering fascinating insights into a changing Afghan society, Malvad captures a portait of a remarkable personality.
Joya is revealed as a tough idealist, using every available opportunity to get her message across. Prepared to risk her life to speak to her people, she is passionate about changing the fate of Afghanistan and eloquent in the denunciation of those she thinks are destroying it.
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