The Swallows of Kabul

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Audience Member 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. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Drawing is excellent, and although the story is not very original, the characters contribute to give it an undeniable human relevance. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member 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! Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Swallows of Kabul

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