In her latest feature film, internationally acclaimed Afghan director Roya Sadat tells the story of Afghanistan immediately prior to the 1978 coup d’état through the fate of two women.

The educated Suraya comes from an influential political family. She shares a deep friendship and a mutual love of Afghan music with her domestic servant’s daughter, Sima, who is a talented singer. The power of Afghan songs is fully expressed in the wonderfully staged concert scenes, overcoming all political differences. Sima joins forces with a young Muslim association, while Suraya fights for justice as chairwoman of the Communist Party’s women’s organisation.

In Sima’s Song, we learn a lot about the progressive 1970s, when women were part of public and professional life and their everyday lives were modern. A hopeful film in view of the desolate situation for women in today’s Afghanistan.

People with and without an international history, women with refugee experience, their families and anyone interested in excellent, often rarely shown international films directed by women are warmly invited to the programme.

SIMA’S SONG
Director: Roya Sadat | NL / ES / FR / TW / AF 2024 | 98′

2 November 2025 • 12:00 pm • Odeon Cinema Cologne, Severinstraße 81, 50678 Cologne

Free admission.

The film will be shown in it’s original version with English subtitles.

In cooperation with LaDOC.

More information on the World Views programme in Dortmund and Cologne.