The Kite Runner (from the novel of the same name by Khaled Hosseini) tells the story of Amir, a well-to-do boy from the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul, who is tormented by the guilt of abandoning his friend Hassan, the son of his father’s Hazara servant. The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of the monarchy in Afghanistan through the Soviet invasion, the mass exodus of refugees to Pakistan and the United States, and the Taliban regime.
The film shows us a forgotten Afghanistan of 1970/80 before the Soviet invasion and the Taliban regime. It’s refreshing to see there was a life there before the repressive regime of the Taliban.
When the movie came out in Theater, the trailer didn’t give me the taste to see the movie. It was to much focusing on the film hero returning in Afghanistan to save the child of his beloved childhood friend. It didn’t look like a compeling story, but more a political revendication/denunciation. After I’ve read the critics on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB, I decided to give it a try.
It’s definitely a good and compeling story. I strongly recommend to see it.
Interesting facts from Wikipedia:
Filming wrapped up on December 21, 2006, and the movie was expected to be released on November 2, 2007. However, after concern for the safety of the young actors in the film, its release date was pushed back six weeks to December 14, 2007.
Though the child actors enjoyed making the film, they and their families have expressed worries about their situation now that the film is done.
Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada (Hassan as a child) said regarding one scene “I want to continue making films and be an actor but the rape scene upset me because my friends will watch it and I won’t be able to go outside any more.”
Zekeria Ebrahimi (Amir as a child) has said “We want to study in the United States. It’s a modern country and more safe than here in Kabul. If I became rich here I would be worried about security. It’s dangerous to have money because of the kidnapping.” After threats to his life, Zekeria lives indoors and is home-schooled by an uncle. He says he wishes he had never done the movie.
Zekeria Ebrahimi and Ahmad Mahmidzada were paid $17,500 each, and Ali Dinesh $13,700; some argue that they were underpaid.
Paramount relocated the three main boy actors playing Amir, Hassan, and Sohrab, and one with a minor role playing Omar, each accompanied by a relative, to the United Arab Emirates.[7] Reportedly it accepts responsibility for the boys’ living expenses until they reach adulthood, a cost some estimated at up to 500,000 dollars.
My rating: 4/5
The Kite Runner Official Site
The Kite Runner Trailer on YouTube
