STEM Meets Girl Power: How a Female Robotics Team From Afghanistan Broke All the Rules!

In the bustling city of Herat, Afghanistan, where one might expect streets of gold, instead, digital codes cascade down the cityscape in the compelling narrative “Rule Breakers.” The film’s central figure, Roya Mahboob, an educator and entrepreneur, is passionate about the potential of technology to instigate change. Nikohl Boosheri plays Roya, infusing her character with a blend of determination and intelligence, depicting her as someone who visualizes digital imagery and vibrant lines of code embedded in the urban textures of Herat.

“When I first encountered a computer, it was like discovering a beacon in the night,” declares Roya while addressing an attentive group of high school girls in Herat Province. This sentiment echoes through the film “Rule Breakers,” which chronicles the journey of Roya and the four talented students she recruits to form Afghanistan’s inaugural robotics team.

Although director Bill Guttentag adheres to traditional genre conventions more than he subverts them, his film shines a light on the fields of math and science, and on the capabilities of young girls, at a time when educational opportunities for girls are being starkly curtailed by the Taliban in Afghanistan, and even as science faces challenges in other parts of the world, including the United States. This film offers a much-needed beacon of hope.

Boosheri’s portrayal of Roya is that of a staunch believer in her cause. As Samir (played by Ali Fazal), an Indian tech mogul who supports and mentors her, often remarks, she is “exceptionally persistent.” This persistence is crucial. The film introduces us to a chilling scene from 2017 where Roya, along with Elaha and their brother Ali (Noorin Gulamgaus), face a threatening encounter with Taliban members on a dusty road.

A flashback to 1999 reveals a young Roya being encouraged by her father to explore the new computers at her school, just as the boys are. Although initially pushed aside by her teacher, Roya’s curiosity isn’t dampened as she watches the boys engage with the computers from outside the classroom window.

Despite being marginalized, Roya’s determination only grows stronger. Eventually, she gains access to a computer in a bakery cafe, negotiating with the skeptical owner who never expected to honor his part of the bargain. Before long, she becomes the bakery’s go-to IT problem solver and later, she advocates for a computer science class, gradually winning over an improbable number of students. Her story is one of resilience in the face of repeated obstacles.

Roya’s journey from that perilous road encounter in 2017 to forming her first robotics team unfolds with the familiar rhythms of a sports film, yet it captivates. The team members, Taara (Nina Hosseinzadeh), Haadiya (Sara Malal Rowe), Arezo (Mariam Saraj), and Esin (Amber Afzali) share a charming camaraderie. While their success in international competitions is thrilling, their personal growth and liberation from societal constraints are even more compelling.

The film also offers younger viewers a glimpse into the world of robotics competitions, where intellectually driven youth from across the globe gather, showcasing both their competitive and collaborative spirits. These events are portrayed as a celebration of nerdy enthusiasm, with a diverse array of participants, including many girls leading their teams and solving complex problems.

Yet, the team’s path is fraught with challenges, ranging from technical difficulties to bureaucratic hurdles. However, they also encounter unexpected supporters—from stranded airport passengers to an American tech journalist and possibly even the once-doubtful bakery owner.

As the team’s robots evolve, becoming more agile and functional, their initial achievements, though modest, set the stage for future triumphs. Despite the obstacles and the increasing scrutiny from the Taliban and other critics, Roya’s unwavering commitment to her mission only strengthens.

The film arrives amidst worsening conditions for women and girls in Afghanistan, a poignant reminder of the film’s relevance and urgency. While the characters in “Rule Breakers” no longer reside in Afghanistan, their story serves both as an inspiration and a solemn warning.