THE STORY – In Afghanistan, a young Taliban soldier juggles farming and faith while his teenage brother transitions from boyhood games to militant ideology.
THE CAST – N/A
THE TEAM – Aboozar Amini (Director/Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 102 Minutes
Growing up is never an easy process. It’s a time filled with complicated emotions that are continually blossoming and evolving, taking down numerous paths that never seem to feel as foundationally important as they are in the midst of coming to these conclusions. Where this change takes place also matters a great deal. The environment plays a significant role in our understanding of the world, and how we perceive and interpret events is highly influential in our long-term analysis. One can only imagine the hardships faced during times of violent war, and how drastically a young mind can be shaped based on which side of the conflict they end up falling into. It’s a concept that “Kabul, Between Prayers” is interested in dissecting. Those at the center of this piece are finding themselves dropped within a tumultuous period of time, and it is absolutely having an effect on their viewpoints. It’s a haunting perspective that unfortunately doesn’t have much power due to a somber and uninvolving execution.
The scene being looked into here is a section in Afghanistan where the Taliban has taken complete control of the community and the many impressionable young men who are currently living in the area. One such participant is Samim, a twenty-three-year-old soldier who also has responsibilities as a farmer and taking care of his family. Within his orbit are his two younger brothers, and Rafi, on the cusp of manhood at fourteen years old, is already being indoctrinated into the teachings of this group. Samim relishes the chance to be a part of a larger movement but deeply cares for those who have committed the ultimate sacrifice for the cause and hopes to be on the path towards a more fulfilling life. In the case of Rafi, his journey is just beginning, and we watch the seeds being planted of what will eventually turn childlike innocence into an aggressive servant in a strife that he himself may give a steep sacrifice to as well.
Director Aboozar Amini has a keen eye placed within this small family that builds out a somber and quiet sense of place. He captures the mundane moments of farming that are necessary to sustain life and crash violently with the harsher displays of political ideologies. The dual image of Samim helping his brothers carry heaps of sticks on their backs, while he enforces checkpoint rules to interrogate anyone who may have violated any rules the Taliban is enforcing, which seems focused chiefly on suspicious women, is a stark difference that emphasizes the radical actions that are taken in order to survive. The same is felt peering into Rafi’s schooling, instilling the harsh rhetoric that is already inflicting a shade of brutality in his young mind, particularly when a moment of roughhousing with his younger brother reveals a cold gaze in his eyes that may have a burgeoning inclination towards this desire. Amini also brings some strong imagery that underlines the dark beauty that can be alluring. It’s quite striking to see the long hallway of the Taliban’s school, with dozens of shoes left outside the doorway as prayers are commencing, signaling the large-scale process being undertaken to turn these young minds.
At the same time, as powerful as the moments are, the ultimate presentation leans a little too monotonously to sustain engagement. The film opens with a long take of Samim praying exuberantly for a lengthy list of wishes he hopes will come true, which lasts so long that it eventually cuts to a later point. It feels indicative of the pacing issues that are persistent throughout. Scenes with Samim doing checkpoint duty and crossing paths with other young men who are idolizing the Taliban’s tactics are a fascinating glimpse into the larger community. Still, the tedium lingers far too long, and tedium sets in. The story also wanders into the lives of other men who share a similar backstory to Samim, but their inclusion also feels like a distraction from the more engrossing storylines that have already been established.
In truth, it often feels this piece would have been exceedingly more impactful had Rafi’s narrative been the focal point. It’s very chilling and unsettling to see such a bright and joyful boy slowly surrender to the ideals that will turn him into a cold-blooded machine for a cause he may even fully believe in or understand. When he’s asked directly to recite his favorite portions of the Quran, he does so with a photographic memory. However, when asked to explain what the passages mean and why they hold value for him, he cannot provide a proper answer. He’s still a child who giggles at the thought of revealing a secret crush he’s harboring. But it won’t be long until that carefree attitude is struck down. An impromptu training session with an AK-47, put in the hands of both Rafi and his younger brother, is an unnerving vision that details just how persistent the goal is to reach these boys at an early age. The death of innocence so quickly is a disturbing yet captivating arena to explore, and the film would have had even greater resonance if that had been more of the thesis.
Still, what is shown within “Kabul, Between Prayers” is quite compelling all the same. What’s displayed is a disconcerting portrait of how simple lives can be pulled into terrible ideals that push a harmful ideology onto minds that are easily corrupted. On one side, it may already be too late, and seeing such ideals calcified is lamentable, even if there is still a sense of humanity that lingers within. But it is far more heartwrenching to watch those who are just beginning their indoctrination, and how helpless you feel to see this process in action that will eventually erode those purer parts of the soul. That is a far more absorbing concept to examine, and when the film isn’t focused on this aspect, the tone can easily become monotonous and the pacing sluggish. What we do get is a peek into yet another experience that finds young minds choosing their own paths for the future. It will always be disquieting when some roads taken appear darker than others.
