Oscar 2026: ‘Cutting Through Rocks’ incomplete happiness due to nomination, travel ban and internet blackout

Cutting Through Rocks : this year’s oscar awards It was one of the most glittering and glamorous nights of Hollywood. While those who won this award were engrossed in celebration, there was silence in Iran after receiving nomination in this award. Amidst this brightness, this moment was very special and also very painful for the team of an Iranian documentary film ‘Cutting Through Rocks’. This film has been nominated in the Best Documentary Feature category at the Oscars. This is Iran’s first documentary film which directly shows the real story of Iranian society and has received an Oscar nomination. This is a huge historical achievement. It took about 8 years to make the film and almost a decade of shooting, editing and efforts to take this story to people all over the world.

According to ‘The Statements’, the film’s co-director Mohammadreza Aini said that getting an Oscar nomination felt like a big responsibility for him. He does not consider himself a political leader. They are simply storytellers who want to be the voice of the common people of Iran. He wants to bring the life of the common man and woman of Iran, their difficulties and their courage in front of the world. But amidst this happiness there was also a great sadness.

Sara Shahwardy became emotional

The film’s lead character Sara Shahvardi could not attend the Oscar event that night. Sara is a very brave woman. She became the first elected woman councilor (panchayat like member) of her village. She taught girls to ride motorcycles, tried to stop child marriage and raised her voice against the old customs created by men. The film is the story of his life and struggle.

Why couldn’t you come to America?

But due to a new travel ban in America that came into effect from December 2025, Sara could not come to America. This rule prevents citizens of 12 countries including Iran from coming to America. It was very painful for the filmmakers. Co-director Sara Khaki said that Sara is an example of exactly the kind of courage and courage that the film praises. The happiness seemed incomplete due to his absence on such a big occasion.

What is the biggest reason for sadness?

This ban did not fall only on Sara, Palestinian actor Motaz Malhis of a Tunisian film ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ could also not come to the Oscars for the same reason and there was another big reason for sadness – the internet was completely shut down in Iran. Earlier this year, large protests took place in Iran due to economic difficulties and anger against the government. To suppress these protests, the government imposed internet blackout in the entire country. This meant that people were completely cut off from the outside world. This blackout was widely criticized across the world and was called a violation of human rights.

Very painful for filmmakers

This was most painful for the filmmakers. He wanted to share his big success with his family, friends and the people whose story is in the film. But due to internet shutdown, he could not send a single photo or video to Sara Shahvardi or his supporters sitting in Iran. On the night of Oscar, he felt alone as if he could not share his celebration with anyone. After eight years of hard work, he had dreamed of celebrating this happiness with the people of Iran, who are the inspiration for the film. But that dream was broken due to the shutdown of the internet. They were cut off from the community they worked so hard for.