Enemies of Happiness

In the opening images of this documentary, we witness the commotion that Malalai Joya caused in 2003 in the loya jirga, the traditional Afghan representative body. Shouting at the top of her lungs, she asks why criminals and warlords who have brought the country so much misery and have repressed women should be allowed to attend the meeting. "Guards, throw her out," the chairman shouts. Two years and four attempts on her life later, 28-year-old Malalai Joya is still shouting. In unadorned direct-cinema style, without comment or interviews, Eva Mulvad follows her during the two final weeks of her campaign for a seat in the new parliament. Intimidation, excitement and new hope set the tone. Opponents spread pamphlets containing filthy libel, but when the heavily guarded Joya pays visits to villages, crowds cheer. Determined, she spreads her message: away with the enemies of women, democracy and happiness. Vote for candidates without blood on their hands. Meanwhile, she mediates in the divorce of an abused woman and stands up for a girl who refuses to be married off to an old opium trader. Keeping her cool, she enters into debate with this villain as well.