Saturday, February 8, 2025

“HOLLYWOODGATE”

THE STORY – Immediately after the US pullout from Afghanistan, Taliban forces occupied the Hollywood Gate complex, which is claimed to be a former CIA base in Kabul.

THE CAST – N/A

THE TEAM – Ibrahim Nash’at (Director/Writer), Talal Derki & Shane Boris (Writers)

THE RUNNING TIME – 92 Minutes


War will always be a horrible event to endure. Even when those who participate believe they have the righteous cause and the moral justifications, the effects of such actions deliver an unrelenting trauma. A long shadow is cast that deeply alters the lives of every soul it touches. One of the worst aspects of such conflict is what is left when the battles cease, and the chilling silence is left to fill the air amongst the ash. In such situations, there is a faint optimism that can quickly succumb to a festering darkness, allowing for an even greater danger to grow. “Hollywoodgate” sets its gaze upon a region that finds itself sliding from one oppressive stalemate to another and captures a riveting examination of powerful cruelties that operate with a subtle hand.

In the summer of 2021, the United States made the difficult decision to pull all of its troops from Afghanistan, officially ending a military occupation that had been instilled for decades. While many declared this to be a necessary action, it was also apparent the removal of American forces would create the power vacuum for the Taliban to regain control of the country. As the last planes left, the group inevitably rebuilt their authority and sought to amass their previous dominance. The film documents the takeover of Hollywood Gate, a complex believed to be run by the CIA that has now fallen into the hands of Mawlawi Mansour, the newly appointed Air Force commander, who makes it a mission to repurpose all supplies left behind for his army. His intention is to gather all available technology and build up the strength of his own forces, continuing a dictatorial rule of the region with plans to continually spread this ideology.

Director Ibrahim Nash’at brings a chilling intimacy to the material that showcases an effective immersion within this environment. His camera is deeply embedded within this group, with an aura of danger constantly lurking. The high-ranking leaders will continually call out this strange filmmaker in their midst, causing an uneasy tension as their whereabouts and actions are noted. It makes for an anxious experience, but one that highlights the peril that could descend at any moment. These depictions have a quality of a horror movie, a dense atmosphere of dread that is both unsettling yet incredibly captivating. Seeing the Taliban storm warehouses full of weaponry that was easily abandoned only to be reconfigured by this new army is a powerful display. A moment where these soldiers commemorate their own Independence Day is a twisted inversion of those American values that oddly mirrors the same lustful violence. It shows the tenacity of this company but also the failures of a foreign government that showed so little care in fleeing a region it policed so heavily. The failures are exposed, and the power vacuum that rose in its stead is one that marches on with steadfast determination to its unrelenting cause.

However, there is a limitation to this narrative being formed that feels limited in its true impact. Nash’at is, understandably, given limited access in terms of what he can show and verbally notes how he is deliberately ushered away from observing the more violent tactics of the Taliban. We are treated to whispers and second-hand accounts that conjure menacing images but also suggest a larger story constrained by the elements. Despite the short runtime, the storytelling casts a wide net of individuals to track that do not all hold the same significance. A soldier named Mukhtar comes in with ambitions to climb the ranks, but his motivations, as presented, are weakly defined. His presence pales in comparison to Mansour, embodying a persistent strength that creates an understandably endearing personality. Yet, these are the only two in a sea of men who have any distinction to them, which ultimately lessens the overall engagement with this story.

There is something fitting about “Hollywoodgate” taking its title from the name of this base. It conjures the true meaning behind Hollywood: an arena built upon projecting a captivating image propped up by an artifice that can easily be dismantled. Whatever opinions about the US occupation in the Middle East, the crumbling of the façade of strength exposed the weaknesses of a system that supposedly was there to protect those from capitulating to evil. The ease and outright joy these leaders have in taking the might of American weaponry for their own purposes is a disturbing yet engrossing presentation, made even more unnerving by the nonchalant attitudes of the participants. Unfortunately, such an alluring exhibition is hampered by the intentionally hidden suffering, which prevents this scope from being more compelling. Still, what is shown is a mix of engaging and horrifying, as any illustration of war would conclude. The far-reaching consequences that manifest will always be devastating.

THE RECAP

THE GOOD - An engrossing portrait of wartime life is captured, showcasing a compelling atmosphere of dread and tension that makes for a captivating experience. The filmmaking has an immersive quality that displays an intimacy filled with tension and anxiety.

THE BAD - The narrative can be too sprawling and doesn't give enough time to certain individuals to make them more impactful. The limitations of the environment limit the true scope of what can be documented, leaving some bits of the storytelling underwhelming.

THE OSCAR PROSPECTS - Best Documentary Feature

THE FINAL SCORE - 7/10

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Josh Parham
Josh Parhamhttps://nextbestpicture.com
I love movies so much I evidently hate them. Wants to run a production company.

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<b>THE GOOD - </b>An engrossing portrait of wartime life is captured, showcasing a compelling atmosphere of dread and tension that makes for a captivating experience. The filmmaking has an immersive quality that displays an intimacy filled with tension and anxiety.<br><br> <b>THE BAD - </b>The narrative can be too sprawling and doesn't give enough time to certain individuals to make them more impactful. The limitations of the environment limit the true scope of what can be documented, leaving some bits of the storytelling underwhelming.<br><br> <b>THE OSCAR PROSPECTS - </b><a href="/oscar-predictions-best-documentary-feature/">Best Documentary Feature</a><br><br> <b>THE FINAL SCORE - </b>7/10<br><br>"HOLLYWOODGATE"