Best Movies About Afghanistan

From Bahman Ghobadi, starring Soran Ebrahim, Avaz Latif, Saddam Hossein Feysal, Hiresh Feysal Rahman
Rated PG-13

Turtles Can Fly is an Iranian war drama written, produced and directed by Bahman Ghobadi. Set in a Kurdish refugee camp on the Iraq-Turkey border on the eve of the US invasion of Iraq, the story follows a group of children led by 13-year-old Soran, who must cope with the everyday hardships of a refugee camp. The camp is populated by refugees from all over the region, who are waiting for news of family members and friends who have gone missing in the aftermath of the Iraq-Iran war. Despite the hardships, the children have formed a tight-knit community and have adapted to their difficult new circumstances. Soran, whose father was killed in the war, is determined to survive and has assumed a leadership role in the camp. He earns money from repairing and installing satellite dishes, and his entrepreneurial spirit and technical skill have earned him the respect of the other children. As the US invasion of Iraq draws near, Soran and the other children are torn between hope for a better future and fear of what is to come. The children must grapple with the reality of war and its devastating impact on their lives. Turtles Can Fly is a powerful story of resilience in the face of adversity, and a testament to the strength

From Jehane Noujaim, starring Samir Khader, Josh Rushing, George W. Bush, Hassan Ibrahim
Rated Not Rated

Control Room is a 2004 documentary film directed by Jehane Noujaim. The film explores the clash between the Western media, represented by Al Jazeera, and the US military during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The film follows a cast of characters from both sides as they attempt to make sense of the war and its coverage. It provides an inside look at the Al Jazeera newsroom and interviews with a number of high-ranking military officers and government officials. Central to the film is the tension between the US military's desire for control of the war's narrative and the journalists' commitment to unbiased reporting. The film's climax comes as Al Jazeera's coverage of the war is increasingly regarded with suspicion by the US side, leading to a final attempt to discredit Al Jazeera. In the end, however, the film finds that despite their differences, both sides ultimately come to respect each other and the importance of unbiased journalism.

From Kathryn Bigelow, starring Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Guy Pearce
Rated R

The Hurt Locker follows an elite U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team during the Iraq War. Led by Staff Sergeant William James (Jeremy Renner), the team is tasked with the dangerous job of finding and defusing bombs in the heat of combat. As James and his team struggle to stay alive, they must also confront the stress of war and the moral ambiguity of their mission. Ultimately, each team member must come to terms with the fact that their job is one of life-or-death, and that the next bomb they defuse could be their last.

From Alex Gibney, starring Alex Gibney, Brian Keith Allen, Moazzam Begg, Christopher Beiring
Rated R

Taxi to the Dark Side is a 2007 documentary film by Academy Award-winning director Alex Gibney. The film explores the topic of American torture of detainees during the War on Terror. It focuses on an Afghan taxi driver named Dilawar who was arrested by American forces and tortured to death at the Bagram Air Base in 2002. The film follows the story of Dilawar and examines the US government's interrogation policies, including the use of torture, and the legal and moral implications of such practices. Through interviews with experts, first-hand accounts, and archival footage, the film looks at how torture has become institutionalized in the US military and intelligence agencies. Ultimately, the film asks the question, "How can a nation that claims to be a beacon of freedom, democracy, and human rights, engage in such abhorrent practices?" Taxi to the Dark Side won the 2008 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

From Patricia Foulkrod, starring Herold Noel Jr., Robert Acosta, Sean Huze, Kelly Dougherty
Rated R

The Ground Truth is a 2006 documentary film directed by Patricia Foulkrod that chronicles the lives of several Iraq War veterans and the struggles they faced upon returning to civilian life. The film follows the veterans as they describe their experiences in the military, their service in Iraq, and their difficulties adjusting to life back home. It focuses on the physical and mental scars they bear, their lack of adequate medical treatment, and their struggles to find employment and deal with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The film highlights the US military’s failure to adequately care for the soldiers it sent to war, as well as the damaging effects of war on the physical and psychological well-being of veterans. Through interviews with veterans and their families, the film paints a vivid portrait of the hardships faced by those who have served in the military. It is an unsettling reminder of the harsh realities of war and its consequences.

From Janus Metz, starring
Rated Not Rated

Armadillo is a documentary film directed by Janus Metz which follows a platoon of young Danish soldiers as they are deployed to Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan. The film offers an intimate look into the life of the soldiers, exploring the psychological effects of war and the moral dilemmas faced by the young men as they strive to survive. The film follows their six-month tour of duty at a forward operating base near the Taliban stronghold of Armadillo, and provides an unflinching look at the harsh realities of life in a war zone. Through interviews with the soldiers and footage of their daily lives, the film examines the psychological toll of combat, the struggle to maintain a sense of camaraderie and morality, and the challenges of adjusting to civilian life after returning home.

From Errol Morris, starring Megan Ambuhl Graner, Javal Davis, Ken Davis, Anthony Diaz
Rated R

From Directors: Tim Hetherington, Sebastian Junger, starring The Men of Battle Company 2nd of the 503rd Infantry Regiment 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Juan 'Doc Restrepo, Dan Kearney, LaMonta Caldwell
Rated R

From Deborah Scranton, starring Zack Bazzi, Duncan Domey, Ben Flanders, Mike Moriarty
Rated Not Rated

From Siddiq Barmak, starring Marina Golbahari, Zubaida Sahar, Khwaja Nader, Mohammad Arif Herati
Rated PG-13

From Paul Haggis, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Jonathan Tucker, Jason Patric
Rated R

From Oren Moverman, starring Ben Foster, Samantha Morton, Woody Harrelson, Jena Malone
Rated R

From Jim Sheridan, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman, Tobey Maguire, Sam Shepard
Rated R

From Laura Poitras, starring Dr. Riyadh, Aaron Castle, Scott Farren-Price, Renato Gonclaves
Rated Not Rated

From Sam Mendes, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jamie Foxx, Lucas Black, Scott MacDonald
Rated R

From Paul Greengrass, starring Matt Damon, Jason Isaacs, Greg Kinnear, Igal Naor
Rated R

From Directors: Petra Epperlein, Michael Tucker, starring Bryant Davis, Devon Dixon, Javorn Drummond, Elliot Lovett
Rated PG-13

From Kimberly Peirce, starring Ryan Phillippe, Abbie Cornish, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rob Brown
Rated R