The portrayal of Afghanistan by American media outlets in the post 9/11 era has left an everlasting impression on the minds of most Americans. Among the predominant images we see are those of oppressed Afghani women clad in burqas, cities and landscapes obliterated by years of warfare, and the generally miserable living conditions of a population ruled by the Taliban regime. With such constant exposure to this imagery, it becomes easy to wonder if there will ever be a reversal of the opinions and ideas which we have been utilizing to regard the country of Afghanistan. Will we ever be able to understand the Afghani people as anything other than oppressed and this region as anything other than a breeding ground for terrorism?
It is often the case that the actions and political agendas of those in power begin to define the portrayal of an entire population to the outside world. The heinous acts of the Taliban on its people and the supported Al Qaeda terrorist operations have ultimately resulted in the illustration of Afghanistan, its people, its culture, and its social fabric as utterly “backwards”. It is precisely this backdrop that makes the story of The Kite Runner, so incredibly pertinent. Specifically, this story, told in the medium of film, is of critical importance in a time when visual images strewn across television and the internet shape our ideas of different cultures and societies. Translating the emotionally charged story of Amir and Hussein to the large screen will strive to bring us much closer to a more accurate and sensitive idea of what Afghani culture truly embraces. In a time when our opinions are so quickly molded by visual images of oppression, death and destruction, The Kite Runner offers a much needed visual glimpse into the beauty of Afghani culture and helps create an identity that is independent of the Taliban and terrorism. From its detailed descriptions of the ancient stories which Amir and Hussein retell to each other, to its brilliant portrayal of the kite races which are so central to Afghani culture, The Kite Runner brings us one step closer to understanding the customs and traditions of Afghanistan. This moving narrative, now transformed into a cinematic experience, will hopefully separate the common American notions regarding Afghanistan from the real values and rich cultural elements that define this country and its people.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 11th, 2007 at 3:33 pm and is filed under Afghanistan today. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.