Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl)
Young Afghan girls reclaim confidence and possibility through literacy lessons and skateboarding at a Kabul school threatened by rising Taliban control.
Overview
A powerful glimpse into the resilience of young girls in a war-torn city, learning to skate and dream.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- earnest
- urgent
- hopeful
- social justice viewing
- educational screening
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the short documentary as an affecting and effective portrait of girls using education and skateboarding to build agency amid danger.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The girls learn to skateboard alongside reading and writing, making bodily confidence and education parallel forms of empowerment.
The Kabul school continues teaching girls as the resurgent Taliban threatens their safety and future opportunities.
The Skateistan school provides literacy instruction, skateboarding lessons, and a supportive environment for Afghan girls.
The film follows young students through lessons and daily experiences rather than relying primarily on abstract political exposition.
Films like Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl), and why
Kamali
shares a socially engaged documentary approach to girls' education, empowerment, and resilience in Afghanistan
He Named Me Malala
shares intimate observational documentary filmmaking centered on education and young people confronting restrictive social conditions
Girl Rising
shares a human-rights documentary focus on girls pursuing education amid patriarchal and political pressures
Movie Details
- Director
- Carol Dysinger
- Release Date
- 2020-02-08
- Runtime
- 40 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (46)
Cast
- Fatima
- Kashida
Where to watch in United States
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) about?
- Young Afghan girls reclaim confidence and possibility through literacy lessons and skateboarding at a Kabul school threatened by rising Taliban control.
- What is Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) as mild.
- What did critics think of Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl)?
- Critics broadly regard the short documentary as an affecting and effective portrait of girls using education and skateboarding to build agency amid danger.
- Which films are like Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl)?
- Films with a similar feel include Kamali, He Named Me Malala, and Girl Rising.
- How long is Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl)?
- Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) runs 40 minutes.
- Where can I watch Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl)?
- In United States, Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home.
