The Secret Reading Club of Kabul (2026): Cast, Story and Release

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

The Secret Reading Club of Kabul is a 2026 documentary set in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, where young women risk their lives to create a secret reading circle despite restrictions on education, work and free expression.

The Secret Reading Club of Kabul is a 2026 documentary about young women in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan who come together to read in secret. Their gathering takes place against restrictions that deny women access to study, work and the freedom to speak openly.

Directed by Shakiba Adill and Elina Hirvonen, the film has a reported runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It is a Finland-Norway production spoken in Pushto.

The Secret Reading Club of Kabul movie details

Story without spoilers

The documentary follows a group of young women who form a clandestine reading circle in Afghanistan. With formal education and other basic freedoms restricted under Taliban control, the group’s decision to meet and read carries serious personal risk. The supplied synopsis presents the club as an act of quiet resistance through shared learning and conversation, without revealing how its story develops.

What to expect

The film is identified as a documentary, so its focus is on a real-world situation rather than a fictional narrative. Its central premise places reading, education and freedom of expression at the heart of the story, while the setting establishes the dangers surrounding the women’s meetings. The subject matter suggests a serious and politically grounded viewing experience, though specific stylistic details are not provided.

Cast and creative team

The Secret Reading Club of Kabul is directed by Shakiba Adill and Elina Hirvonen. No writers or cast members are listed in the supplied information.

Release and production context

The film is listed as released on September 25, 2026, with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It is associated with Finland and Norway and is spoken in Pushto. The supplied metadata does not list a production company.

Movies Dock view

With its focused premise and documentary format, The Secret Reading Club of Kabul centers on the risks young women face when pursuing education and open discussion in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The film’s 2026 release information, Finnish-Norwegian production context and Pushto language give it a clearly defined international documentary profile.

Film data:
TMDB