Jamila’s Children

Directed by and starring Arezo, an Afghan-born filmmaker, this intimate documentary draws from deeply personal roots. The eldest of six siblings, Arezo was thrust into the role of guardian after the untimely death of their parents—while some of her brothers and sisters were still minors.

Set over the course of a single transformative year, the film follows the now-grown siblings as they navigate the friction between tradition and modernity, between inherited values and individual desires. As each charts their own uncertain path, tensions simmer, loyalties are tested, and bonds are redefined.

In one of its most powerful storylines, the film offers a rare and nuanced portrayal of a young man drifting toward radicalism—only to be pulled back by the quiet, steadfast presence of his family. With compassion and restraint, Arezo captures both the fragility and strength of kinship in a world marked by cultural crosscurrents.