Interpreters Wanted

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2:44

Interpreters Wanted

2023

1h 24m

Documentary

History

War

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4 Reviews

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Interpreters Wanted is the story of Saifullah and Ismail Haqmal, two brother interpreters who served alongside U.S. Forces in Afghanistan for over a decade. The story follows the brothers from their childhood growing up during the Russian/Afghan war, through the Taliban era, then the invasion by NATO forces after 9/11. When Robert deployed to Afghanistan in 2009, he worked with Saifullah and Ismail during that deployment and they all became close friends. After Robert's unit leaves Afghanistan, however, the war continues to deteriorate. The brothers become desperate to escape and turn to their American friends to petition Congress to help get them to America. With the final chapter of the Afghan war in the books with the disastrous falling of Kabul in 2021, we see the withdrawal through the eyes of Ismail, who's unable to escape and on the run from the new Taliban regime.

Kenneth R. Morefield

1More Film Blog

Interpreters Wanted puts a human face on a political issue so seemingly one-sided that it is hard not to fault the film for refusing to be angrier and failing to clarify which individuals or groups bear the brunt of responsibility for it.

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 4, 2024

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Perry Norton

Film Threat

Interpreters Wanted is a great documentary and a welcome and vital contribution to our record of the Afghan war.

Rated: 8/10

Nov 22, 2023

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Federico Furzan

Movie-Blogger.com

Robert Ham’s harrowing documentary is one of the best of its kind. A hopeful and heartwarming feature that doesn’t leave out its inherent nexus with a horrific reality: the conflict is still active.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 20, 2023

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Simon Thompson

Battle Royale With Cheese

Interpreters Wanted is a balanced, heartfelt testament to the sacrifices that brave Afghans made in interpreting Arabic for the US military.

Nov 14, 2023

Full Review

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Robert Ham

Director

Saifullah Haqmal

Self

Ismail Haqmal

Self

Robert Ham

Screenwriter

Michael Taylor

Producer

Jenna Cavelle

Producer

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Interpreters Wanted: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Interpreters Wanted is the story of Saifullah and Ismail Haqmal, two brother interpreters who served alongside U.S. Forces in Afghanistan for over a decade. The story follows the brothers from their childhood growing up during the Russian/Afghan war, through the Taliban era, then the invasion by NATO forces after 9/11. When Robert deployed to Afghanistan in 2009, he worked with Saifullah and Ismail during that deployment and they all became close friends. After Robert's unit leaves Afghanistan, however, the war continues to deteriorate. The brothers become desperate to escape and turn to their American friends to petition Congress to help get them to America. With the final chapter of the Afghan war in the books with the disastrous falling of Kabul in 2021, we see the withdrawal through the eyes of Ismail, who's unable to escape and on the run from the new Taliban regime.

Director: Robert Ham
Producer: Michael Taylor, Jenna Cavelle, Robert Ham, Justice F W Pelton
Screenwriter: Robert Ham
Production Co: HAMMR Productions, VET TV, Her Pictures
Genre: Documentary, History, War
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 24m