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      The Swallows of Kabul

      2019 1h 20m Drama Animation List
      89% 18 Reviews Tomatometer 83% Fewer than 50 Ratings Audience Score The story of two different couples living in Taliban-occupied Kabul. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

      View All (4) audience reviews
      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 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 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 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 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Swallows of Kabul

      The Swallows of Kabul (2019) The Swallows of Kabul (2019) The Swallows of Kabul (2019) The Swallows of Kabul (2019) The Swallows of Kabul (2019) The Swallows of Kabul (2019) View more photos

      Critics Reviews

      View All (18) Critics Reviews
      Stephen Romei The Australian 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. Rated: 4.5/5 Aug 25, 2020 Full Review Alissa Simon Variety As a medium, animation suits this adaptation well; it would have been nearly impossible to shoot as live fiction or on location. May 16, 2019 Full Review Jane Freebury The Canberra Times (Australia) This very impressive story about a dark chapter in recent history has a clarity and compassion that lives on after the credits roll. Rated: 4/5 Aug 17, 2022 Full Review Paula Arantzazu Ruiz Sensacine [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] Rated: 4/5 Sep 7, 2020 Full Review Keva York ABC News (Australia) Despite the film's strong -- some would say heavy-handed -- emphasis on those injustices that are particular to women, its messaging proves somewhat mixed. Aug 20, 2020 Full Review Mark Demetrius FILMINK (Australia) ...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. Rated: 18/20 Aug 6, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis The story of two different couples living in Taliban-occupied Kabul.
      Director
      Zabou Breitman, Eléa Gobbé-Mévellec
      Producer
      Ivan Rouveure
      Screenwriter
      Sébastien Tavel, Patricia Mortagne, Zabou Breitman, Yasmina Khadra
      Production Co
      KNM, arte France Cinéma, Les Armateurs, Close Up Films, Mélusine Productions, RTS - Radio Télévision Suisse
      Genre
      Drama, Animation
      Original Language
      French (France)
      Runtime
      1h 20m
      Aspect Ratio
      Flat (1.85:1)