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The Swallows of Kabul

Play trailer Poster for The Swallows of Kabul 2019 1h 21m Drama Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 18 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
The story of two different couples living in Taliban-occupied Kabul.

Critics Reviews

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Stephen Romei The Australian 08/25/2020
4.5/5
It is one of the best films I have seen this year, full stop. It's about whether to stay and fight or flee and be free, like a swallow. Go to Full Review
Alissa Simon Variety 05/16/2019
As a medium, animation suits this adaptation well; it would have been nearly impossible to shoot as live fiction or on location. Go to Full Review
Jane Freebury The Canberra Times (Australia) 08/17/2022
4/5
This very impressive story about a dark chapter in recent history has a clarity and compassion that lives on after the credits roll. Go to Full Review
Paula Arantzazu Ruiz Sensacine 09/07/2020
4/5
[T]he delicacy with which they have translated Khadra's words into images leads us to think that behind there is a considerable ethical and artistic effort make this worthwhile to see. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Keva York ABC News (Australia) 08/20/2020
Despite the film's strong -- some would say heavy-handed -- emphasis on those injustices that are particular to women, its messaging proves somewhat mixed. Go to Full Review
Mark Demetrius FILMINK (Australia) 08/06/2020
18/20
...a superb parable, with a lump-in-the-throat ending that's more moving than most live-action movies... there is beauty here too, both moral and visual. Very highly recommended. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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01/25/2021 The screenplay raises many valuable and striking themes about life under the oppression and destruction of Taliban rule in Kabul, Afghanistan, but the film doesn't really evoke the feelings it ought to. See more @MilloTPue 12/15/2020 Drawing is excellent, and although the story is not very original, the characters contribute to give it an undeniable human relevance. See more 09/15/2020 Though a slow burner, the intertwining lives of these characters is beautifully composed, bringing forth its themes of freedom and sacrifice. To say nothing of the beautiful water-colour animation! See more 09/09/2020 A beautifully animated film done in an impressionist water colour style, THE SWALLOWS OF KABUL tells a simple but disturbing story of a young woman's mistreatment by the Taliban that impacts her, her partner, and others in the community. Why an animated adaptation of the original book? My understanding is that, for some Muslims, the drawing of humans or animals is prohibited in the Hadith — a collection of sayings attributed to the Prophet Mohammed. So creating this movie as an animated film is itself a protest against the Taliban regime. For one of the characters, Zunaira, drawing in private is also an act of self-preservation as she struggles with the oppressive Taliban rule. There are some problematic aspects of the story. For example, what happens to Zunaira comes down ultimately to her beauty. I won't say too much more about that to avoid spoilers. This is an interesting, thought-provoking story and, knowing the reason animation was chosen makes it even more radical. At times, the movie dragged a bit but, overall, was worth seeing. See more Read all reviews
The Swallows of Kabul

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Movie Info

Synopsis The story of two different couples living in Taliban-occupied Kabul.
Director
Zabou Breitman, Eléa Gobbé-Mévellec
Producer
Reginald de Guillebon, Stéphan Roelants, Michel Merkt, Joëlle Bertossa
Screenwriter
Sébastien Tavel, Patricia Mortagne, Zabou Breitman, Yasmina Khadra
Production Co
RTS - Radio Télévision Suisse, KNM, Les Armateurs, Mélusine Productions, arte France Cinéma, Close Up Films
Genre
Drama, Animation
Original Language
French (France)
Runtime
1h 21m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)