Osama
- Director: Siddiq Barmak
- Writer: Siddiq Barmak
- Producer: Siddiq Barmak; Julia Fraser
CGiii Comment
Rarely does a film succeed in portraying desperation, suffering and tangible fear - Barmak has achieved the near impossible.
This is a Taliban tale shown from a very different perspective - and anyone who doubts as to why they, the Taliban, should be stopped should watch this insufferable suffering.
A very important film indeed.
Ridiculously accomplished.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
The Taliban are ruling Afghanistan, they being a repressive regime especially for women, who, among other things, are not allowed to work. This situation is especially difficult for one family consisting solely of three women representing three successive generations. All the males in their family have died in various Afghani wars. The mother had been working as a nurse in a hospital, but regardless of she not being allowed to work, the Taliban has cut off funding to the hospital. The mother and grandmother make what they feel is the only decision they can to survive: they will have the preteen daughter masquerade as a boy so that she can get a job to support the family. The daughter, feeling powerless, agrees despite being scared as if the Taliban discover her masquerade, she is certain they will kill her. Partly as a symbolic measure, the daughter plants a lock of her now cut hair in a pot so that her lost femininity can flourish.
Cast & Characters
Marina Golbahari as Osama;
Arif Herati as Espandi;
Zubaida Sahar as Mother;
Mohamad Nader Khadjeh;
Mohamad Haref Harati;
Gol Rahman Ghorbandi;
Khwaja Nader;
Hamida Refah