Berlin International Film Festival Opens with Shahrbanoo Sadat Film from Afghanistan

The film Good Men Don’t Exist has been selected as the opening feature of this year’s Berlin festival, telling the story of a Kabul journalist who rediscovers trust and love after personal betrayal.

The story follows Naro, a television reporter whose failed marriage shapes her belief about relationships until meeting fellow journalist Qudrat changes her perspective on life.

Sadat herself plays the lead role, while Afghan actor and writer Anwar Hashimi appears as Qudrat, bringing humor and realism to the romantic comedy set partly in Germany.

Festival director Tricia Tuttle praised Sadat’s bold filmmaking, saying the project demonstrates creative risk-taking rarely seen in contemporary international cinema.

Sadat previously gained international attention with films showcased at global festivals, earning recognition for portraying everyday Afghan life beyond conflict-centered narratives often seen abroad.

In an interview with The Guardian, Sadat said Afghan society also contains humor, affection, and resilience, and her film aims to reflect those overlooked realities.

The opening selection marks a milestone for Afghanistan cinema, highlighting growing global interest in diverse stories portraying modern Afghanistan’s experiences beyond war and crisis narratives.

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