The Swallows of Kabul
(Les hirondelles de Kaboul)
Year: 2019
Country:
FRANCE
Run Time:
81 minutes
In war-torn Kabul, the citizens of Afghanistan’s capital live under the militant control of the Taliban. Some have adopted the fundamentalist ideologies, but many secretly yearn for their former lives. Mohsen and Zunaira are a married couple who long for the days before Taliban rule. They daydream about holding hands in public, teaching literature at the university, and creating art. After Mohsen uncharacteristically participates in a public stoning, he questions his fortitude to his beliefs, and Zunaira loses faith in her husband. The act puts them on a collision course with fundamentalist couple, Atiq and Musarrat. Atiq, a prison guard for women awaiting public execution, accepted Taliban teachings long ago and is currently caring for his ailing wife. Each character contemplates their country’s new reality until a horrific accident intertwines their destinies. Set against the backdrop of a divided nation, THE SWALLOWS OF KABUL is a beautifully animated film about national identity, love, and the consequences of war. (In French with subtitles) — R.R.
CIFF44 Screenings
Tower City Cinemas
Sunday, March 29, 2020 at 6:15 PM ET
Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 1:50 PM ET
Accessibility (?): No closed captions, audio description, English subtitles
Sidebars
Film Is Art
Women of the World
Competitions
International Narrative Competition
ReelWomenDirect Award for Excellence in Directing by a Woman
Directors
Zabou Breitman, Eléa Gobbé-Mévellec
Producer
Réginald de Guillebon
Screenwriting
Zabou Breitman, Patricia Mortagne, Sébastien Tavel
Editing
Françoise Bernard
Principal Cast
Simon Abkarian, Zita Hanrot, Swann Arlaud, Hiam Abbass
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