Home / Arts and Entertainment / Afghan Girls Defy Odds, Compete in Global Robotics Contests
Afghan Girls Defy Odds, Compete in Global Robotics Contests
17 Nov
Summary
- Roya Mahboob, a trailblazing Afghan coach, assembles a robotics team of girls
- The young dreamers face opposition from their families and public scorn
- The film features real-life footage of the international robotics competitions
In 2025, a rousing drama based on a true story, "Rule Breakers," attests to the resilience of Afghan women who dare to dream despite draconian social constraints. The film follows Roya Mahboob, a trailblazing coach and businesswoman in STEM, as she assembles a robotics team of young Afghan girls for international competitions.
The film's most thrilling moments come during the competition sequences, which blend real-life documentary footage with fictional re-enactments. The camera swirls around the energized young competitors, showcasing their love for science and the camaraderie that blossoms in these spaces, offering a utopian vision of international collaboration.
However, the film's treatment of the darker aspects of the story, such as the effects of the war in Afghanistan on women, lacks the same nuance. While spirited in parts, the extraordinary journey of this robotics team deserves a more layered storytelling approach.
