Joutsan Kino Documentary Saturday: The Secret Reading Club of Kabul

In Afghanistan, where a violent extremist movement denies women their rights and opportunities, a group of young women secretly gathers to read Anne Frank’s diary. Inspired by Anne Frank, the film’s protagonists want to tell their story so the world will not forget them. One woman’s life changes rapidly when the Taliban begin looking for her. Fearing for her life and her family’s honour, she decides to flee the country. Shakiba Adil, an Afghan filmmaker living in Helsinki, helps and supports her in her escape. Shakiba herself has fled Afghanistan twice, risking her life. Through these women’s eyes, the film portrays life in a country ruled by an extremist movement, their hopes and their efforts to achieve freedom. THE SECRET READING CLUB OF KABUL, directed by Shakiba Adil and Elina Hirvonen, won the prestigious NORDIC:DOX Grand Prize at Denmark’s CPH:DOX documentary festival.

Finnish Film Foundation marketing and distribution support 2026. K-16/13