Director: Bill Guttentag
Cast: Ali Fazal, Nikohl Boosheri, Sami Fekkak, Mustafa Haidari, Nasser Memarzia
Rule Breakers is a 2025 American drama film directed by Bill Guttentag, starring Ali Fazal and Nikohl Boosheri. Set against the backdrop of a society where educating girls is treated as an act of defiance, the film follows one woman's determination to build a future for the next generation — one classroom at a time.
What is Rule Breakers about?
In a country where schooling for girls is outlawed, a courageous educator refuses to accept the status quo. She gathers a group of bright, ambitious young women and quietly begins teaching them — not just reading and writing, but also critical thinking and creative problem-solving. When the students' work catches the attention of an international competition, their achievement draws both admiration from abroad and hostility from those who see female ambition as a threat. As the pressure mounts and the stakes climb higher, the women must weigh personal safety against the power of what they have built together. The film is a story about persistence, collective strength, and what happens when a community refuses to be silenced.
Cast & crew
Ali Fazal, known internationally for his roles in acclaimed productions, leads the cast alongside Nikohl Boosheri, a Canadian-Iranian actress recognized for her nuanced portrayals of diaspora experience. The ensemble includes Nasser Memarzia, Fahim Fazli, and Sami Fekkak — actors who collectively bring lived cultural depth to a story demanding authenticity. Bill Guttentag, the director, is an Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker whose non-fiction background shapes the film's grounded, observational tone.
Context & significance
For Persian-speaking audiences around the world, Rule Breakers arrives with particular resonance. The subject of girls' access to education — and the courage it takes to pursue it under authoritarian pressure — touches experiences that many in the Iranian diaspora know intimately, whether through personal memory or through family accounts. The film features Nikohl Boosheri, a well-known Iranian-Canadian actress, and Ali Fazal, whose presence has made him a familiar face for South Asian and Middle Eastern audiences globally. Available with a Persian dub and Persian subtitles, the film is fully accessible for Farsi-speaking viewers of all backgrounds. It sits within a growing tradition of international drama that centers women's agency in restrictive political environments — a genre that continues to draw strong diaspora viewership.
Where & how to watch
Rule Breakers is available on K-Time with a Persian dub and Persian subtitles. You can stream it on the web, on your TV, or on your phone — no VPN needed, no geo-blocking, and no extra download required. Start watching whenever you're ready and cancel anytime.