Sonita

If 18-year-old Sonita could choose, Michael Jackson would be her father and Rihanna her mother. Sonita comes from Afghanistan and lives without her parents in Tehran. Her most fervent wish: to be a famous rapper. A social institution supports her in overcoming the trauma of flight and in planning her future, but her family has completely different plans: they plan to sell her to a foreign husband in Afghanistan for $9,000 and time is pressing because the family needs money for their son's wedding. In order to buy time for the realisation of her dream, Sonita manages to prevent the threatened return to Afghanistan for the time being by paying money. She uses this time to record a music video in Tehran and put it on YouTube. The clip is a furious appeal against forced marriage and receives worldwide attention that will decisively change Sonita's life. "A compelling human drama packed with searching questions about artistic responsibility and the nature of charity." Tom Huddleston, TIME OUT "To witness Sonita’s rise from timid rapper to empowered activist over a three-year span is thrilling." Nigel M Smith, The Guardian