Monday, March 07, 2005

Hmmm....

I watched a movie called 'Osama' (2003). It's an incredibly moving film and gives a haunting look at how women are viewed and treated in Afganistan. Here's imdb's synopsis:

A 12-year-old Afghan girl and her mother lose their jobs when the Taliban closes the hospital where they work. The Taliban have also forbidden women to leave their houses without a male "legal companion." With her husband and brother dead, killed in battle, there is no one left to support the family. Without being able to leave the house, the mother is left with nowhere to turn. Feeling that she has no other choice, she disguises her daughter as a boy. Now called 'Osama,' the girl embarks on a terrifying and confusing journey as she tries to keep the Taliban from finding out her true identity. Inspired by a true story, Osama is the first entirely Afghan film shot since the fall of the Taliban.

The actors are all amateurs from Kabul, and they did a stunning job. My advice: do not watch this movie on a 'sad' night, alone, in bed, powerful bad idea. powerful bad.