A Voice for the Voiceless

Read Time:5 Minute, 45 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Last Ambassador (Die Letzte Botschafterin)
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 15m
Director(s): Natalie Halla
Where To Watch: shown at CPH:DOX 2025

RAVING REVIEW: Resistance doesn’t always come in the form of rebellion—it can be a quiet but relentless force, standing firm when the world expects submission. That’s the spirit captured in THE LAST AMBASSADOR, a film that doesn’t just document a political figure but dives into a fight that refuses to be ignored. Manizha Bakhtari, Afghanistan’s last female ambassador, exists in a world that no longer officially recognizes her government, yet she continues her mission. Stationed in Vienna, she holds onto a role that technically shouldn’t exist, using it as a platform to keep the global spotlight on Afghan women who have been silenced. She pushes forward with no official support, backing from the new rulers, and no guarantee that her work will yield results—because stopping simply isn’t an option.

Rather than a dry political story, this is a deeply personal and emotionally driven documentary that thrives on contrast. The film opens with a chilling image—mannequins in a Kabul market, their heads shrouded in plastic, a haunting symbol of the erasure of women under Taliban rule. This visual choice isn’t just for effect; it encapsulates the suffocating reality Afghan women face every day. It sets the stage for a story that is as much about survival as diplomacy, proving that the fight for basic rights never ends.

A major focus of the film is the "Daughters" program, an underground initiative that works in direct opposition to the Taliban’s policies, ensuring girls can still access education despite being banned from schools. This program is a lifeline in a world where knowledge has become an act of rebellion. THE LAST AMBASSADOR gives these efforts the attention they deserve, revealing the risks taken by students, educators, and everyone working behind the scenes. It doesn’t just frame this as an inspiring story—it makes sure viewers understand the stakes. If caught, these girls and their teachers could face dire consequences, and that weight is never lost in the film’s storytelling.

This documentary is captivating because it balances the large-scale political struggle with the human experience behind it. Bakhtari isn’t just a symbol of resistance; she carries the weight of an entire cause on her shoulders. The film does an excellent job of highlighting the duality of her existence. She speaks English when addressing the world, maintaining the poised professionalism expected of a diplomat. But when she reflects on her mission in private, she speaks in Farsi—a language that connects her to home in a way no title ever could. It’s a simple yet effective way to show that her fight is personal, no matter how far she is from Afghanistan.

Visually, the film capitalizes on stark contrasts. Vienna’s grand diplomatic halls, full of polished speeches and political decorum, feel like an entirely different universe than the reality unfolding in Afghanistan. While Bakhtari may have the safety of her post, those she’s fighting for do not. The cinematography ensures that audiences never forget what’s at stake, juxtaposing these worlds in ways that make the urgency of her mission even more palpable.

While THE LAST AMBASSADOR is undeniably impactful, there are moments where it could have gone further. The documentary touches on Bakhtari’s sacrifices but doesn’t explore them as deeply as we may like. We get glimpses of her family’s concerns, particularly their fears for her safety, but the emotional toll on them remains largely in the background. Given how much of the film is centered on her public life, a deeper dive into how this struggle has affected her personally could have made the narrative even more compelling. (Although, if this was her wish, it makes sense. This wasn’t so much an issue; it's just something I wish I could have seen more of.)

Another slightly underdeveloped aspect is the international response to Bakhtari’s efforts. The film acknowledges the struggles of running an unrecognized embassy, but it doesn’t fully explore how other nations have reacted—or failed to react—to the Taliban’s resurgence. While it’s clear that Bakhtari is largely working without direct support, it would have been interesting to see a more critical examination of the global community’s role in helping or abandoning Afghan women.

That said, the documentary succeeds in making diplomacy feel immediate and urgent. Politics can often seem like a distant, theoretical game by world leaders, but THE LAST AMBASSADOR strips away that detachment. Here, every conversation, every interview, and every speech holds weight because lives are on the line. There’s no safety net, no guarantee of progress—only the persistent, exhausting push to ensure that Afghanistan’s women aren’t forgotten.

THE LAST AMBASSADOR is, above all, a testament to resilience. It showcases not just the strength of one woman but the collective force of those who refuse to be erased. It’s both a stark reminder of Afghan women's challenges and an inspiring look at the people who refuse to let those challenges define them. This is essential viewing for anyone looking for a film that blends political urgency with human perseverance. It’s a striking example of how one person can challenge a system, no matter how impossible the odds may seem.

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[photo courtesy of GOLDEN GIRLS FILMPRODUKTION]

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