Postcards From Tora Bora
laimah
At this point Americans know about Afghanistan. Post 9/11, there has been a lot of media about the region. It is on the news fairly regularly as a nation that is a hot bed for terrorism and now it’s trying to mend it’s ways with the support of America and NATO forces. The word Afghanistan brings to mind bearded men, victimized women, dusty plains and war to name a few images.
There has also been a few films made about Afghanistan, Kandahar, Baran, FireDancer, Osama and Beauty Academy of Kabul to name a few. These films are important because they attempt to humanize the concept of Afghanistan by sharing stories and focusing on the people that live in the region and beyond.
Postcards From Tora Bora is the newest addition to this small list of films about Afghanistan and it’s people. It is a special film because it is personal account of a woman born in the region and her story of return, after 20 years of war. Wazhmah Osman and Kelly Dolak (co-director) do a great job of speaking with people that survived the war about their lives during and after of war. You begin to see a people who are proud and playful, who are deeply impacted the violence of war and more than anything want peace in their lives. Children speak about losing their parents in the war. Their experience is reflected in their artwork, drawings of blood and machine gun murder. The challenge becomes clear, how will these generations of children cope with the violence they’ve experienced and contribute to the rebuilding of their nation?
This documentary tells many stories, one of the politics of the country past and present, one of the perseverance it’s people, one of her father and finally one of Wazhmah. It is an honest and generous account of Afghanistan, offered to an audience who still know very little about the region. Postcards challenges misconceptions and goes beyond the tanks and dust to speak to the people.
I am proud of my older sister Wazhmah and Kelly for making this film and inspiring me to stay connected and share my unique experience with others.
* Postcards From Tora Bora just opened at Tribeca Film Festival. It will be playing on Tuesday and Thursday night and this weekend. For ticketing information please visit www.tribecafilmfestival.org
