Jennifer Lawrence Faces Warnings About Speaking Out on Afghanistan Documentary: ‘There Are 20 Million Women Whose Lives Are in Danger’
Jennifer Lawrence at the 15th Governors Awards in Los Angeles on Nov. 17, 2024. Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty
Jennifer Lawrence, who is expecting her second child with husband Cooke Maroney, revealed she was advised against speaking publicly about her involvement in the new documentary Bread and Roses, which she helped produce alongside Malala Yousafzai. The documentary sheds light on the struggles of women living under Taliban rule in Afghanistan and premieres on Apple TV+ on November 22.
During an appearance on CBS Mornings, Gayle King asked Lawrence if she had concerns about publicly supporting the project. “Jennifer, were you concerned about speaking out publicly about this? Did your family and friends encourage you or say, ‘Oh, are you sure you want to step out this way?'” King asked.
Lawrence acknowledged that her loved ones had reservations. “My family and friends definitely encouraged me not to,” she admitted. “It’s dangerous — of course it is. But there’s 20 million women whose lives are in danger.” The actress also addressed the criticism she has faced regarding her lack of formal education.
“I did a 60 Minutes interview where I explained that I dropped out of middle school, so I’m technically not educated,” she explained. “And so I think the common [criticism], especially with this subject, is, ‘Why is somebody without an education trying to talk about ‘politics’?'” Lawrence countered this notion by emphasizing that the documentary is not about politics but about the lives of vulnerable people.
“It’s political in the sense that you should push your congresspeople and you should get involved to make our government more accountable, then the UN can recognize gender apartheid,” she said. “But I don’t find it political. And also, I am educated in filmmaking. I’m educated in telling stories.”
Bread and Roses marks a significant endeavor for Lawrence, combining her passion for storytelling with a commitment to raising awareness about critical global issues. Despite warnings about the potential risks of speaking out, she remains steadfast in her advocacy.
“There are 20 million women whose lives are in danger,” Lawrence reiterated, highlighting the urgency of addressing the plight of Afghan women. As the documentary prepares to debut, Lawrence’s involvement underscores the role of art and film in bringing attention to social justice issues, even in the face of criticism and personal risk.
