Synopsis

Cinema occupies an important place in the history of Afghanistan. From the 1930’s on, Afghans had numerous cinemas to visit, and in the 1960s and 1970s this reached a peak, with 18 working cinemas in Kabul and many Afghan made productions.

Towards the end of the 1970’s a sharp decline in cinematic work came with the arrival of the Soviet forces. Film production was heavily controlled by the occupying forces during this period and many filmmakers subsequently left Afghanistan because of restrictions on their creativity.

We are delighted to be able to show you two films from the Afghan National Film Archive; Akter Maskaneh and Talabgar.

Akhter Maskaneh (Akhter the Joker)

Akhtareh is a poor, alcoholic clown who has all his life tried to solve his problems by getting close to a rich family. His attempts result in one family hiring him as an entertainer. However, to complicate matters he falls in love with the beautiful daughter who has just returned from overseas…

Talabgar (The Suitor)

Nasser, a confidence trickster and crook, falls in love with a beautiful young student, who comes from a middle-class family in Kabul. With his affected prestigious behaviour, he attempts to impress her father. However she is involved in her own revolution. Can they find love and happiness against the odds?

Related Event

Engineer Latif - Director of Afghan National Film Archive, who was involved in hiding films in the National Archive during the Taliban’s reign will be present for a discussion following the screening.

Full Description

After 1996 the Taliban’s restrictions on films were absolute. Video players and televisions were confiscated and hung from telephone poles or smashed and anyone found with tapes was punished. Cinemas were closed down, either becoming tea shops or restaurants or falling into a state of disrepair. The final insult was the sacking of the National Archive of Film, aiming to wipe the record of Afghanistan’s Cinematic Heritage.

However a few brave souls managed to hide films, under floorboards, in the walls, anywhere they would stand a chance of not being discovered. This screening of one of these surviving films will be one not to miss.

Buy Tickets for this event from the Filmhouse Cinema