Movie review: “Rule Breakers” tells the inspiring true story of a group of high school computer-whiz Afghans who rocked the world at international competitions
Rule Breakers
Starring Nikohl Boosheri, Ali Fazell & Waj Ali
Directed by Bill Gutenberg
Rated PG
In theaters Friday, March 7
Since it’s Women’s History Month, here’s some Women’s History—about a group of teenage girls from war-torn Afghanistan that came to America in 2017 to compete in a global robotics competition. Based on their inspiring story, this emotionally stirring dramatic recreation reminds us of their impressive feat—from a part of the world at a time where girls and women were just beginning to emerge from the brutal oppressions of Taliban rule—and illustrates the courage of these young women, the power of dreams and the importance of education.
If you love “underdog” stories, Rule Breakers certainly falls into that category. It’s Rocky with robots. Canadian actress Nikohl Boosheri leads the cast as the determined young college student—based on Roya Mahboob, the real-life IT pioneer and software guru recognized by TIME magazine in 2013 for building internet classrooms in her native Afghanistan—who teaches a group of high school girls basic programming skills, then how to build and operate robots. But it’s not easy, as they navigate volatile—and violent—Middle Eastern politics and defy the country’s heavy-handed patriarchal norms to become a team, the Afghan Dreamers, and participate in competitions around the world.
The movie mostly follows familiar dramatic “beats” as the girls bravely break the rules…and navigate the perils, including Taliban threats, a roadside ambush and a mosque bombing that strikes tragically close to home. And the film certainly represents Mahboob’s advocacy for girls and women—the empowerment of education and the global “language” of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)—as it shows young minds from varying cultures, religions, languages and customs coming together with a common goal of finding solutions to large-scale humanitarian problems, like detecting toxins in water and locating land mines, left over from deadly warfare, so they can be safely removed.
“The world has too many borders, and too many walls,” says one of the competition organizers, stressing the positive vibes of diversified global get-togethers that encourage cooperation and unity while fostering innovation, fueling young brainpower and creating bridges instead of barriers. “It’s not people building robots,” says one of the participants. “It’s robots building people.”
It’s also got a guest appearance by Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and a performance spot for the Black Eyed Peas to remind everyone at a competition that “Tonight’s gonna be a good night.” There even some situational humor, and one scene—set in a thumpin’ German disco—where the girls shake off their head coverings, let down their hair and allow themselves a few glorious groovin’ moments before getting back to work. As Cyndi Lauper reminded us way back in the ‘80s, girls just wanna have fun. Even hajib-wearing, computer-coding, robot-rockin’ Afghani teens, taking a short break from breaking the rules, crossing borders and making the world a better place.
—Neil Pond
The Media Tourist 