Fareeha is a 14-year-old Muslim schoolgirl who dreams of becoming a champion fighter. Her school in southern India started teaching the Chinese martial art, wushu, amid rising concerns about violence against women. Fareeha soon falls in love with the sport and qualifies for the national championships. But her family decides she can’t go, deeming it inappropriate for a girl to fight in public. Fareeha negotiates these complex issues at home, and wins them over. She emerges the winner in her category and has a clear message: “Girls should get the same freedom boys do. We can do everything they can.”

Director: Jayisha Patel
Producer: Aloke Devichand; Fiona Lawson-Baker; Hugh Hartford
2016 | 25 mins
South Asia | India
Languages: Hindi with English
Subtitles: English

FILMMAKER Q&A:
https://simaacademy.com/filmmaker-qa/indias-wushu-warrior-girl/