Malala and Jennifer Lawrence

A film from Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai documenting the oppression of Afghan women by the Taliban was “emotionally challenging” to complete, Afghan filmmaker Sahra Mani said.

The Apple TV+ documentary titled Bread & Roses exposes the realities faced by women in Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2021 – which first drew Lawrence to the project.

“I felt a huge passion to make this project just as a human,” the Hollywood actress told the PA news agency.

The 34-year-old said “there were so many times where we were in and out of contact” with the director, who was capturing the “spirit and resilience” of Afghan women fighting for their autonomy.

“We knew that we were helping her facilitate getting equipment on the ground, and that she was in contact with these women, and that we were getting footage.

“But there was so much that I did not know until we had an assembly, until we were in post,” producer Lawrence said, referring to the process of putting the footage together to appear on screen.

“One of the things that I didn’t know was that it was going to be showcasing the women’s resistance in Afghanistan,” Lawrence, who won an Oscar in 2013 for her role in Silver Linings Playbook opposite Bradley Cooper, said.

Director Mani worked with a group of activist women who provided a window into their reality – forbidden from work, school and leaving their homes.

“The difficulty of making this film was not only logistical and being in contact with so many people in different parts of the world,” filmmaker Mani told PA.

“But also it was more emotionally challenging for all of us working on this project, because it’s really deep effect on us while we were watching the first rough cut of material, because we were facing with the human story of loss, resilience and, of course, hope.

“We did our best to tell their story with authenticity and respect to these women.”

This year marked 12 years since Ms Yousafzai narrowly avoided death after being shot in the head by the Taliban for her campaigning for girls’ rights to education.

Ms Yousafzai said the new documentary gives “visibility” to Afghan women and girls during what she claims experts are calling a “gender apartheid”.

“It gives them that platform to bring attention to their stories and really make their voice the centre of what’s happening there,” she told PA.

“It is shocking how Afghan women are sometimes not even included in the rooms where decisions about them are made.

“…I hope that this documentary can help raise awareness about what is actually happening there, that the situation has already worsened, and it adds to the global movement that Afghan women are leading right now to push countries, for example, to codify gender apartheid in the crime against humanity treaty and to hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes.”

For seven decades she has been showing us why. Cher holds the attention of the world with her voice, her acting, her style, her wit and her unstoppable spirit. Now, for the first time, she tells her story in her own voice – as honest as it is hilarious, as powerful as it is perceptive.

Cher’s childhood was anything but normal. As her mother Georgia – blessed with movie-star looks and a knockout voice – moved them around the country over and again in the hope of finding fame, her school life wasn’t straightforward. But she always knew she was going to be somebody when she grew up.

Cher’s powerful instinct to keep moving eventually landed her in the arms of Sonny Bono. The duo became famous beyond their wildest dreams, from humble beginnings singing backup in Phil Spector’s studio through to pop stardom as Sonny and Cher, and then on to the television show that made them household names. But as time passed, fame changed the dynamic of their relationship and Cher evolved from a wide-eyed teenager into a woman. She started fighting for herself, breaking away from Sonny’s control – and realising that things were not as they seemed.

Taking risks, making headlines, falling in love, Cher struggled and stumbled while trying to become her own woman. Cher: The Memoir, Part One brings us to the brink of her next chapter, as she begins to chart her own path, finally claiming her rightful place in the world and becoming CHER.

This festive season, Dame Judi Dench has a very clear message for Santa: keep the skimpy red underwear. The actor has revealed what she doesn’t want to find under the tree this year.

Skimpy red underwear – red just isn’t her colour!

Roller blades – she’s always been more of an ice skater!

Dustpan and brush – cleaning supplies are not for Christmas!

In a fun charity film (https://shelterbox.org/more-ways-to-take-action/virtual-gifts), Dame Judi sneaks down early on Christmas morning to open her presents, only to be left baffled by the gifts she unwraps. Each surprise is met with her signature wry smile and a chuckle, reminding us of the sometimes-misguided gift-giving efforts we can all be guilty of.

But there’s a heartfelt message behind the laughter. Dame Judi has teamed up with the international disaster relief charity, ShelterBox, to promote their virtual gifts. The message is simple, instead of spending money on presents that may not hit the mark, why not give to charity and buy a gift that makes a difference.

ShelterBox specialises in emergency shelter and other essential household items for families whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by disaster, conflict, or the climate crisis. Their virtual gifts include life-changing items like shelters, thermal blankets, and cooking sets to help families stay warm.

Dame Judi Dench says: “That’s what I love about ShelterBox. Aid items like tents, thermal blankets, and water filters are tangible. They make a difference.”

Kirsty Alexander, Head of Supporter Engagement, at ShelterBox says: “It’s a time of year when we come together at home with friends and family. A ShelterBox virtual gift can help give others around the world a sense of home too.

“We’re incredibly lucky that Dame Judi has supported ShelterBox for many years, and was such a good sport in helping us make this little film. It’s been a joy to work with her on a project that combines humour with a heartfelt message.”

Dame Judi adds: “The number of people uprooted from their homes worldwide has never been higher and the need for emergency shelter has never been more urgent.”

By joining Dame Judi and ShelterBox in spreading the spirit of thoughtful giving, shoppers can ensure their virtual gifts go towards causes that matter. They can then pop a gift certificate under the tree and show their loved ones the real value of the gift.

120 million people worldwide have been uprooted from their homes. ShelterBox is currently responding with emergency shelter in Gaza and supporting displaced people across the world in places like the Philippines, Lebanon, Mozambique, Somalia, Chad, Cameroon, and Yemen.