Viewer Advice: Contains depictions of violence towards women.

The stirring 2021 winner of Annecy’s Jury Prize explores the intricacies of freedom for women inside post-Taliban Afghanistan.

Blond and blue-eyed Herra (born Helena) and Afghan Nazir meet and fall in love as university students in Prague. Soon after, they move to Kabul and marry, living in a small house with Nazir’s family. Herra works hard to assimilate, but she constantly feels like she stands out – especially when the family’s members brandish their clashing personalities. When a sick, abandoned boy called Maad finds his way into her home and heart, she recognises the unique position she holds to challenge others’ views.

Adapting the novel Frišta by journalist Petra Procházková, acclaimed filmmaker Michaela Pavlátová (Tram, MIFF 2012; The Carnival of the Animals, MIFF 2006) has devised a clever exploration of intercultural marriage and the complexities of difference. Along with its striking imagery, the film brings Kabul to life through intricately atmospheric sound design and a dreamy score by Evgueni and Sacha Galperine (Corpus Christi, MIFF 2020; Loveless, MIFF 2017). Also taking home top prizes at the Bucheon, Zagreb and Guadalajara film festivals, My Sunny Maad is a tale of unwavering love and faith in the face of unexpected change.

“Highly original … A beautiful, simple and luminous animated film.” – Cineuropa