New Documentary ‘Bread & Roses’ by Jennifer Lawrence Shines Light on Afghan Women’s Struggles
‘Bread’ shows rise of women
The Taliban has run Kabul, Afghanistan, since 2021. Result? “Bread & Roses.” A film produced by Jennifer Lawrence. Afghan women shot the footage. They smuggled cameras in. Others shot the photos.
Behind the scene? Producer Lawrence, who says: “The Taliban did not want us to get a camera in Kabul and then into other hands.”
Took brave women to smuggle the equipment in.
For 40 years, long before the Taliban, the country was ruled by its Queen Humaira and King Zahir. I was there twice. As a reporter.
I was a guest of our then Ambassador to Afghanistan Henry Byroade and still own a thick silver bracelet given to me by Her Majesty.
I was then permitted to visit a closed protected ladies park where they were allowed freedom and could safely doff their restricted cloaks. I moved freely among them.
Given official government permission they understood I was safe. Under their robes were pretty dresses, jewelry, makeup. The king and queen were exiled in 1973.
Jennifer: “This is no light rom-com. Their situation is overwhelming. Their resilience and fierce spirit survives under threat. We can’t let these women resist alone. They must be seen and heard and joined by others around the world.”
Those women were unforgettable. Jennifer Lawrence’s “Bread & Roses” is in some theaters and will be streaming on Apple TV+ on Friday. The Taliban does not want you to see it.
Med costs laid bare
Our own country was of thee — not so much anymore. An Upper East Side lady went to her usual Manhattan doctor for a checkup. Told to totally disrobe, she obeyed. She was standing there completely absolutely stark naked — even her socks were off — when a bookkeeper type walked in — no knocking on a door, no apology, no requesting permission — and asked for her credit card.
She then complained about this experience to her doctor when he arrived. And this doc’s reply? “Yeah . . . well, so what . . . that’s medical treatment today.”
They’re dialing for dollars
Pay attention. The newest shtick is stealing your private number or the number of the person to whom you’re speaking. That’s another lovely today experience.
I’m telling you what I know. Look around. Protect your cellphone.
If taking it out in a public space like a restaurant or theater, be careful. Watchful.
Pros sitting far from you — unseen but possessing today’s camera and electronics know-how — are able to read, record and steal your numbers.
This information is then sold to one of those creeps who grabs your number and next begins to prey on you.
Another comment. Reba McEntire is on Fridays, NBC, 8 p.m. “Happy’s Place” sitcom.
She says: “Blended families are everyday life. Important because you then see them getting along. I love sitcoms. My favorites. It’s like doing a new play every week.”
Right. A deep thoughtful statement as rousing as something that dribbles out of Bernie Sanders’ tonsils.
Just kidding. He’s got lots of charisma — which his skin doctor assures him will dry up by Thursday.
