Kabul 24
Reviews
Charles Tatum
There have been millions of stories over the past couple of decades about how 9/11, and the War on Terror, have affected global society. This documentary sheds light on an almost forgotten set of people who were being held captive in Afghanistan when the United States exacted revenge on the terrorist-sympathizing Taliban, to whom we disastrously handed the country back. Shelter Now International is a multi-national Christian aid organization who provide food and comfort to those in need. They have a team in Afghanistan, but were told not to preach the Gospel unless asked, since the Taliban have made the attempted conversion of Muslims a crime. On August 23, 2001, eight western members of the organization (Americans Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry, Australians Peter Bunch and Diana Thomas, and Germans Margrit Stebner, Katrin Jelinek, Silke Duerrkopf, and Georg Taubmann), and another sixteen Afghans are arrested for supposed indoctrination. What followed was over one hundred days of brutal captivity, constant mental abuse, threats of execution, and the fear of never seeing their families again. Even in the face of American bombings, the eight keep up their faith: praying pacifists who cannot find it in themselves to harm their guards to escape. A question I had almost right away was: sure, we focus on the eight westerners, but what about the poor Afghans? Do they not count? Yes, we find out they do count, but they were also still in Afghanistan. The few subjects who the film makers are able to talk to have their faces blurred out for fear of reprisal, which was and now is possible. The main eight subjects all use their faith in God to get through their ordeal, although each seems to have had their breakdowns and doubts on many occasions. The four prisons they are shuffled around to are squalid, and filled with political Afghan prisoners- one prison for non-believers has 1500 boys in it. The country's women are treated as less than human; they are not allowed to refer to themselves by name- but as either "wife of..." or "daughter of...". The hostages' capture in late August 2001 was big news until the September 11 attacks, and the Taliban tried to use their presence as human shields, unsuccessfully bartering with the United States and the United Kingdom before bombing commenced on October 7. Although all eight subjects are interviewed, the film is still rife with suspense. Hostage Taubmann revisits many of the places they were held, showing the camera first hand what happened. This is compelling stuff, as are the tales of the torture and beatings the Afghan citizens had to endure. Some of the captors eventually helped the prisoners, but watching the interviews, I could tell the stress was still there on the faces of everyone involved. My quibbles with the film are minor, but do keep this from being a perfect story. I would have liked to see more about how these people dealt with ordinary life upon their return. I know some went back to Afghanistan, or wanted to return, but how was their faith strengthened or shaken? The film makers use a very crude but effective animation technique to show some of the scenes- the trial, some prison sequences- that could not possibly be filmed or recreated. The narration by the awesome Jim Caviezel is almost non-existent, so unobtrusive that I would forget he was narrating until he started to speak. The musical score is alright, and the editing is very tight. Director Pearson captures the otherworldly-looking Afghanistan countryside very well. "Kabul 24" isn't "Midnight Express" revisited, but it tells an important chapter in the history of a country that is still in the news today. The two dozen hostages should be admired, and so should this film.
Movie Recommendation
Film2012-10-01"This piece, with the generic title Film, is a series of short videos built around one protocol: a snippet of news from a newspaper of the day, is rolled up and then placed on a black-inked surface. On making contact with the liquid, the roll opens and of Its own accord frees itself of the gesture that fashioned it. As it comes alive in this way, the sliver of paper reveals Its hitherto unexposed content; this unpredictable kinematics is evidence of the constant impermanence of news. As well as exploring a certain archaeology of cinema, the mechanism references the passage of time: the ink, whether it is poured or printed, is the ink of ongoing human history." –Ismaïl BahriMore...- Captain Nulle1964-11-26Valdis Nulle is a young and ambitious captain of fishing ship 'Dzintars'. He has his views on fishing methods but the sea makes its own rules. Kolkhoz authorities are forced to include dubious characters in his crew, for example, former captain Bauze and silent alcoholic Juhans. The young captain lacks experience in working with so many fishermen on board. Unexpectedly, pretty engineer Sabīne is ordered to test a new construction fishing net on Nulle's ship and 'production conflict' between her and the captain arises...More...
Nullarbor2011-02-25An animated road-movie set across the vast and barren landscape of Australia's Nullarbor Plain.More...
Lake of Dracula1971-06-11A young girl suffers a terrifying nightmare of a vampire with blazing golden eyes. Eighteen years later, it is revealed to be a hellish prophecy when a strange package containing an empty coffin mysteriously turns up at a nearby lake.More...
Rheme Maining Sources2021-09-06A place-specific film-excavation of Bixiga neiborhood – São Paulo. Choreography of forces that cross present time. Filmancy, clairvoyance is the vision of what is taking shape.More...- Cherrie - ut ur mörkret2018-05-30There is no descriptionMore...
NULL2021-05-21A hitman is tasked to take out ex-mobsters when he suddenly hears a voice that questions his morality.More...
Film1967-07-12Before the three feature films, Mario Schifano directs the camera towards the people around him to create real film diaries. His friends, his time partner and the artists he frequented are portrayed in their everyday life or object of the mechanical gaze of the camera, a filter through which to look at the outside world.More...
Nulliparous Women2020-03-07In a pub in Madrid's downtown, a group of workmates meets to celebrate a birthday party. There, the singular characters share their opinions about education, maternity and other matters about life. In the middle of that, Lucía tries to behave normal, but in her head, there is only one thing: She may be pregnant and if it's confirmed, she would be forced to face one of the most difficult decisions: became a mother or not. A story about maternity, friendship, and identity.More...
The Evil Marriage2019-11-01Once upon a time, in a far away, across the dark jungle, a castle in the sky, there lived a king of Evils with his evil guards. One day, one of his magicians showed the magic mirror and shows a beautiful human girl in this mirror, and told that if he wants to continue to be a king he must marry this girl. The story of "The Evil Marriage movie" revolves around the character of "Nur" (a human girl) who was kidnapped by the Evil's king guards and took her to unfamiliar world where she will have to marry the evil in order for others to live. But, there is someone who sneaks into the dark jungle to reach the evil castle and rescues her.More...
Lucky Girl2023-09-07Nina is a successful TV star, but her life changes when she is diagnosed with cancer. Facing a personal crisis, she has to confront her deepest fears.More...
Rescued from an Eagle's Nest1908-01-18A woodsman leaves a hut followed by a woman with their baby. Nearby some men chop down a tree. The baby is left outside the hut, but an eagle flies away with it.More...- World Safari III1988-12-26Travel through the west coast of Africa up the skeleton coast on two magnificent & mystic trails. Ride a hot air balloon and explore the magestic wild life of the Zulu land. Visit the mysterious bushmen of the Kalahari and go in search of Wetamura. Finally, travel through New Zealand and join Alby as he repairs an old 337 push-pull twin engine plane, which he flies back to his Australian homeland. Alby then discovers many unusual and exciting places in the great outback.More...
Welcome in Vienna1986-01-01Freddy, a Viennese Jew who emigrated to New York after Hitler's invasion, and Adler, a left-wing intellectual originally from Berlin, return to Austria in 1944 as soldiers in the U.S. Army. Freddy falls in love with the daughter of a Nazi, and Adler attempts to go over to the Communist Zone. But with the advent of the Cold War and continuing anti-semitism, the idealism of both characters is shattered as they find themselves surrounded by cynicism, opportunism, and universal self-deception.More...
The Blacksmiths1895-12-28While his aide continuously turns the handle of the bellows, keeping hot a small furnace in front of him, a blacksmith is pounding a piece of metal on an anvil, then plunges the shaft into a tub of water, causing a cloud of vapor in the process.More...
(NULL)2013-01-01An unknown girl breaks out of her daily grind by undergoing an intense audio-visual trip.More...
Feel the Wind2009-10-30Haiji was an elite runner, but has not competed due to a past injury. He then meets fellow elite runner Kakeru who also left running, but caused by a dispute. Their meeting inspires both young men to run again, with Haiji choosing the fabled "Hakone Ekiden" (long distance relay race). The race requires a 10 member team so Haiji and Kakeru recruits 8 others (some of whom have never even run before). Within this unlikely group of runners a bond is formed through their training and a belief that they can accomplish the impossible.More...- Let's Talk About 9-1-12024-10-11I have been harboring a deep secret for over two years: I am absolutely ride-or-die for the silliest network TV procedural on the air. ABC's 9-1-1 is a magical combination of Ryan Murphy camp, broadcast TV-budget visual effects, and (possibly) unintentional homoeroticism the likes of which audiences haven't seen since... Supernatural? Maybe? Today I'll take you on an aggressively long-winded tour of all the show has to offer. The best and worst characters and storylines, the copaganda, the gay shipping, that Bobby Brown dance sequence from Step Up: All In, and so much more. This is a deep dive of Homeric proportions. Speaking of which, is that a 'first edition' copy of The Iliad??More...
Red2020-04-27Red is the story of three teens in rural Pennsylvania who are torn apart by the closet. James and Lizzy's seemingly normal relationship is shattered by Aaron, the guy James hooked up with and who is unable to bear their secret and confronts James.More...
Similar Movies
Legion of Brothers
2017-05-19Afghanistan, immediately post-9/11: Small teams of Green Berets arrive on a series of secret missions to overthrow the Taliban. What happens next is equal parts war origin story and cautionary tale, illuminating the nature and impact of 15 years of constant combat, with unprecedented access to U.S. Special Forces.Canine Soldiers: The ...
2016-10-01A documentary exploring the experience of going to war with a Military Working Dog, trained to find bombs before they can kill or maim soldiers, often at the expense of the dog's sanity.COINTELPRO 101
2010-05-07COINTELPRO 101 exposes illegal surveillance, disruption, and outright murder committed by the US government in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. “COINTELPRO” refers to the official FBI COunter INTELigence PROgram carried out to surveil, imprison, and eliminate leaders of social justice movements and to disrupt, divide, and destroy the movements as well. Many of the government's crimes are still unknown. Through interviews with activists who experienced these abuses first-hand, with rare historical footage, the film provides an educational introduction to a period of intense repression and draws relevant lessons for the present and future.Riverboom
2024-09-25In the year following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, young journalist Claude Baechtold finds himself in the war zone of Afghanistan. Not entirely voluntarily, the avowed anti-militarist is dragged by two fearless reporters on a round trip through the entire country.The Hornet's Nest
2014-05-09Armed only with their cameras, Peabody and Emmy Award-winning conflict Journalist Mike Boettcher, and his son, Carlos, provide unprecedented access into the longest war in U.S. history.Is Genesis History? M...
2023-09-05In this fascinating sequel to "Is Genesis History?", watch a team of scientists discover new evidence for the global Flood. By the time the journey is over, you'll understand exactly how modern science connects to the book of Genesis.Afghan Star
2008-12-03This documentary on the effect the talent competition "Afghan Star" has on the incredibly diverse inhabitants of Afghanistan affords a glimpse into a country rarely seen. Contestants risk their lives to appear on the television show that is a raging success with the public and also monitored closely by the government.The Prince of Nothing...
2017-06-14French documentarist Sonia Kronlund follows actor and director Salim Shaheen, an Afghan movie star who produced more than 110 low-budget movies in a country devastated by war.Armadillo
2010-05-27Danish soldiers are sent to Afghanistan in 2009 for 6 months, to help stabilize the country against the Taliban. They're stationed on Armadillo military base in Helman province. Unlike other war movies, this is the real deal – no actors.Three Songs for Benaz...
2021-06-02The story of Shaista, a young man who—newly married to Benazir and living in a camp for displaced persons in Kabul—struggles to balance his dreams of being the first from his tribe to join the Afghan National Army with the responsibilities of starting a family. Even as Shaista’s love for Benazir is palpable, the choices he must make to build a life with her have profound consequences.The Forbidden Reel
2020-03-03According to the official history of Afghanistan, ruthless destruction has always prevailed over art and creation; but there is another tale to be told, the forgotten account of a diverse and progressive country, seen through the lens of innovative filmmakers, a story that survives thanks to a few brave Afghans, a small but very passionate group that secretly fought to save a huge film archive that was constantly menaced by war and religious fanaticism.Taxi to the Dark Side...
2008-01-18An in-depth look at the torture practices of the United States in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, focusing on an innocent taxi driver in Afghanistan who was tortured and killed in 2002.Two Crowns
2017-10-13Recreation of facts and stories of both experts and people who met Maximilian Kolbe and were shocked by his words and actions.Restrepo
2010-06-25Directors Hetherington and Junger spend a year with the 2nd Battalion of the United States Army located in one of Afghanistan's most dangerous valleys. The documentary provides insight and empathy on how to win the battle through hard work, deadly gunfights and mutual friendships while the unit must push back the Taliban.Retrograde
2022-10-17The story of the last months of the 20-year war in Afghanistan through the intimate relationship between American Green Berets and the Afghan officers they trained.So, Who Is This Jesus...
1999-03-01This program has been designed specifically to help people with no previous knowledge of Jesus to have a better understanding of who He is.The Pearl Button
2015-10-15The ocean contains the history of all humanity. The sea holds all the voices of the earth and those that come from outer space. Water receives impetus from the stars and transmits it to living creatures. Water, the longest border in Chile, also holds the secret of two mysterious buttons which were found on its ocean floor. Chile, with its 2,670 miles of coastline and the largest archipelago in the world, presents a supernatural landscape. In it are volcanoes, mountains and glaciers. In it are the voices of the Patagonian Indigenous people, the first English sailors and also those of its political prisoners. Some say that water has memory. This film shows that it also has a voice.Gothix
2023-12-19An innovative and charismatic influencer is suddenly exiled from her community of creative partners and colleagues when she states an opinion that she did not know was “unacceptable” in their eyes.The Woman Pastor
2023-08-19In a community of a Muslim majority, the first woman pastor in the Middle East leads a parish in one of the poorest city of the Mediterranean, in the heart of Tripoli, North Lebanon.The Occult Experience...
1985-07-07An examination of occultism as practiced in different parts of the world.