“No Good Men”, interview with director Shahrbanoo Sadat

“No Good Men”, the third feature film by award-winning Afghan director Shahrbanoo Sadat opened the 76th Berlinale on February 12, 2026 at the Berlinale Palast.

“No Good Men” follows Shahrbanoo Sadat’s acclaimed works “Wolf and Sheep” (2016) and “Parwareshgah” (The Orphanage, 2019). Both films screened at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight and “The Orphanage” was supported by the Berlinale World Cinema Fund.

Together with her most recent film, “No Good Men”, they form the first three parts of a planned five-film series inspired by the female actor Anwar Hashimi’s unpublished autobiography as well as the filmmaker’s own life.

The film, to quote the director, is a political romantic comedy about a camerawoman at Kabul’s main TV station and her almost romance with her co-worker and most important TV journalist.

Women’ stories

Shahrbanoo Sadat confesses that, until 2019, she had always flirted with the idea of writing something inspired by her everyday life as a young woman living in Kabul but as women and women’s rights were often over used to secure funding, especially from NGOs, she had always pushed away that idea.

Then she had a realization: “women’s stories are my stories, because I am a woman” she said and started to work on her Afghan rom-com, something that had never existed, so that she decided to make one, herself.

A film about patriarchy

“Since the Taliban returned, many have begun romanticizing the previous era, claiming women had all their rights before 2021” comments Sadat in her press notes.  “I do not find this truthful. Sexism and patriarchal thinking were deeply rooted in Afghan society long before the Taliban’s return. That is when I realized my film is about the patriarchy” she claims.

“No Good Men”reveals a nuanced portrayal of Afghan society through the lens of a woman navigating patriarchy. The film delicately balances personal experience and societal commentary as with its portrayal of a woman living in downtown Kabul it offers insight into independence, systemic limits, and everyday resilience, making it a compelling reflection on modern Afghan life.

No good Men?

The phrase “No Good Men” in the film’s title encapsulates a complex exploration of gender roles and societal expectations. Sadat emphasizes that her film aims to depict not only the challenges women face but also the surprising existence of good men within a patriarchal system.

Despite that, Sadat faced considerable resistance when seeking support for her film, as some institutions found the story inappropriate. Despite receiving multiple rejections and the perception that her romantic comedy was incompatible with Afghan realities, she persisted. Her experience highlights the importance of artistic freedom and the fight to portray authentic stories of Afghan women and men, emphasizing that filmmaking can serve as a form of subtle protest and societal reflection.

Each scene and character in “No Good Men” underscores the resilience of women living amid restrictions. Sadat’s personal connection to the story—living in the same societal and geographical context—shapes the film’s light tone and organic storytelling.

The film demonstrates that even within a system set with many ceilings, hope and small acts of rebellion, especially through humor and love, can flourish. Ultimately, “No Good Men” emphasizes that understanding both the systemic patriarchy and the presence of good men in Afghan society is essential.

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