The tragedy of unfulfilled potential

One of the greatest personal tragedies can be when a person is not given the opportunity to fulfill their potential. The British documentary The Shadow Scholars by director Eloise King follows a troubling situation in Kenya, where many educated people are unable to find qualified work. Sociologist Patricia Kingori, the youngest Black professor in the history of University of Oxford, embarks on an investigative journey to learn more about the darker sides of the local academic system. The film empathetically portrays the lives of people who, under time and financial pressure, anonymously produce academic texts on demand. It offers insight into the specific realities of the Global South in a field that Western reportage rarely explores.

In their Oscar-nominated and Sundance-awarded film Cutting Through Rocks, directors Mohammad Reza Eyni and Sara Khaki focus on Sara Shahverdi, who became the first woman elected to her local village council. She boldly carves her path through a conservative society with her motorcycle and determination to fight for the rights of women and children. Her strong personality draws attention wherever she rides, as she works to speed up the introduction of gas into local households and prevent child marriages. However, distrust and prejudice are often immediately reflected in the eyes of those she encounters. Sara does not give up and continues her fight, accompanied by the roar of her motorcycle.

Against ruthless violence, however, determination is not always enough. The film Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk is tragically marked by the fact that shortly before its premiere at Cannes Film Festival, its main protagonist, the young photographer Fatma Hassona, was killed by Israeli attackers. This minimalist documentary, composed of video calls between Fatma and Iranian-born director Sepideh Farsi, bears witness to life in the Gaza Strip during its most difficult moments. Above all, it succeeds in giving a face to people who too often become nothing more than part of overlooked statistics.