IDFA Jury motivation
This documentary opens up a familiar world in a way we have never seen before. By telling an intense and personal story, the director provides a unique insight into the politics and culture of Afghanistan. The director creates a powerful empathy with her subject and the film captures the conflict without simplifying the issues. By allowing events to unfold at their own pace in front of the camera, Mulvad builds tension and drama that is sustained throughout the film.

One World Media Jury motivation
Enemies of happiness, the winner of the international premiere award is a powerful, remarkable and inspiring film. From its stunning opening, emerges a gripping story of opposition and women's rights in today's Afghanistan as the country tries to reconstruct life after the Taliban. At its heart, it's a portrait of Malalai Joya on the campaign trail in the first democratic elections in Afghanistan in 30 years. The film-makers follow this brave, fearless and committet female politician who, despite repeated assassination attempts, is prepared to take on and front-up to formere warlords in the Loya Jirga about the way they have been tearing her country apart.

In a series of tense and edgy encounters, Malalai Joya emerges as an inspirational figure - prepared to talk frankly to former warlords, a strong, passionated voice of women in this most male-dominated of societies. But throughout this portrayal of Malalai Joya the politician - we do not lose sight of her as a woman, doing her washing in the evening. Clear an unhysterical, the film-making is of highest order. Beautifully shot, paced and edited, the imagery captures daily life in Afghanistan brilliantly, yet it never flags. The film-makers make great use of sound and music to amplify the tension. The powerful film concludes with Joya's election victory, a great climax to this important documentary.


The Enemies of Happiness
This film is about personal courage – courage to change the world and the courage to stand in the forefront of this battle.

Malalai Joya is a 28 year-old woman from Afghanistan. This film follows her parliamentary campaign to her election as a delegate in Wolesi Jirga, or National Assembly. It is the first democratic parliament election in Afghanistan in over 30 years. Surrounded by security, Malalai Joya spreads her political beliefs despite several death threats. There have been 4 attempts against her life.

Malalai Joya is famous and infamous. It all began in 2003, when the Afghanistan politicians met to lay the foundation for a democracy in “new” Afghanistan.  At this meeting, Malalai Joya challenged former Mujahidin leaders (Warlords), who according to her, attempt to maintain power through the new system. “Many of you here in this hall have blood on your hands and you should be tried in the world court.” Her comments ignited outrage among the hard-liners who demanded that she be immediately removed from the sessions.

It is her courage and conviction which has made her into a folk hero. But since that fateful day, her life has been in danger. She has been threatened by the very same warlords she challenges. Her campaign becomes a life-threatening project. She is forced to live in hiding and when she is in public, she must be protected by armed guards.

In the Desert
Malalai Joya conducts her parliamentary campaign in the remote desert province of Farah, the heart of poverty in Afghanistan. To be a politician means that one’s office must function as a social security office and even a hospital. She is the advocate of her people. They come to her with an assortment of problems. Women who wear black crowd the corriders. The dust settles heavily in the sunlight. It is here where she negotiates with clan leaders and opium kings. Adolescent girls cry because they must marry with the old men.

This film gives a unique insight into the conditions the people of Afghanistan must live. It is a society destroyed by war and run by a tradition. But despite this, there is also a strong longing to change. But how can democracy be implemented in a land where the people are illiterate? In a land where votes can be bought and where women do not have the luxury to leave their children so that they can vote? It is a film that reminds us that democracy can not be implemented merely by the presence of western diplomats and soldiers.

Front Figure
Malalai Joya is no diplomat. She is a controversial front figure for a people who have been promised peace and prosperity, but who continue to dogged by war and poverty.  Her uncompromising stance creates hope among a people who demand amends from history’s greatest perpertrators.

But even heroes have their critics: there are those who accuse her for creating even more discord in a land that is already rife with conflict.

The Enemy of Happiness follows a radical freedom fighter and a land that is changing. But more importantly it is a film on personal courage and the belief that the ordinary person not only can, but will make a difference.