INDIA'S WUSHU WARRIOR GIRL

2016

QATAR/UK

30 MINS

14 year old Fareeha, desperately wants to become a Wushu martial arts champion. She dreams of becoming the first Muslim young women to win the title. When she partakes in the sport, she feels her mind becomes free

Her school in southern India started teaching the Chinese martial art amid rising concerns about violence against women. Her passion and determination for the sport leads her to qualify for the national championships.

But her family forbids her to go, deeming it inappropriate for a girl to fight in public. Fareeha negotiates these complex issues at home, and wins them over. Fareeha 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”.

PRODUCTION NOTES

• Commissioned: Al Jazeera English’s Witness Strand
• Director/Cinematographer: Jayisha Patel
• Produced: Al Jazeera English and Banyak Films
• Broadcast: Al Jazeera English and SBS Australia

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