Facing the Dragon

As American forces and foreign aid leave Afghanistan, the country's fragile democracy and the recent gains for women hang in the balance. Trapped in the uncertainty are Nilofar and Shakila, who are forced to choose between motherhood and their devotion to reform. FACING THE DRAGON exposes the day-to-day realities of Afghan women on the front lines struggling to maintain their hard-won rights.

As American forces and foreign aid leave Afghanistan, the country's fragile democracy and the recent gains for women hang in the balance. Trapped in the uncertainty are Nilofar and Shakila, who are forced to choose between motherhood and their devotion to reform. FACING THE DRAGON exposes the day-to-day realities of Afghan women on the front lines struggling to maintain their hard-won rights.

FACING THE DRAGON filmmaker Sedika Mojadidi provides an update on Nilofar and Shakila, the two main subjects of her film, following the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and the resurgence of the Taliban over the country.