Nick Wangersky of Hollywood North Magazine felt that "in spite of the way they’re treated at times", woman do matter. He called Rauff's project an "artistic film", and expanded that it "states that women should be allowed to make decisions too." He further felt the film a "very innovative and bold way of showing how to show what’s really behind the vileness of individuals as well as how women struggle in Islamic countries." Misty Layne of Cinemaschminema highly praised the film, writing it "has got to be one of the most beautiful films under 3 minutes I’ve ever seen. Shot entirely in black and white, out in the desert, it shares a beautiful message about women leading women, women following in the footsteps of those who fought before them for equal rights, etc. Seriously. Under 3 minutes. It’s amazing." Najibullah Khurshid from Afghanistan's 8am daily newspaper noticed that " While in several scenes it shows girls being in trouble, but they don't help out each other, they do not cross eyes at each other and at one point even they lack their common aspiration. No Woman is an artistic first three-minute short film with a community orientated story which is beyond the level of awareness of its audience in our society and other societies as well. In the last fifteen years, no films have been made outside political attractions and formats. All have been made into the base of market demand. Success of No Woman comes with a fresh western prespictves and looks: in the sense that no elements in the making of the film can be ignored from the perspective of a film critic, Unless it be taken simplistic, not profound."
Synopsis
Two girls standing in the desert on a road that has a sign it shows that no women are allowed to cross the line. One of them walks alone and reaches an armed person in the middle of the road with a mask. she rips the mask off and keeps walking as the person gets into his knees and cries in the road behind her. Then it shows group of girls come to the same road, they hear a gun shot, not sure of what to do. Then they see a floating mask in the wind.
Theme
No Woman shines the spotlight on the big "no" that is given to women in Islamic societies, when it comes to making decisions for themselves. Majority of women suffers from inequality, but few stands to fight against it. No Woman shows few girls on screen, but it represents story of almost every women and their aspirations and obstacles.
