Osama (2003)

The Taliban are ruling Afghanistan, they being a repressive regime especially for women, who, among other things, are not allowed to work. This situation is especially difficult for one ... See full summary »

Director:

Siddiq Barmak

Writer:

Siddiq Barmak

Stars:

Marina Golbahari, Arif Herati, Zubaida Sahar

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 14 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Marina Golbahari	...	Osama
Arif Herati	...	Espandi
Zubaida Sahar	...	Mother
Mohamad Nader Khadjeh
Mohamad Haref Harati
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Gol Rahman Ghorbandi
Khwaja Nader
Hamida Refah

Storyline

The Taliban are ruling Afghanistan, they being a repressive regime especially for women, who, among other things, are not allowed to work. This situation is especially difficult for one family consisting solely of three women representing three successive generations. All the males in their family have died in various Afghani wars. The mother had been working as a nurse in a hospital, but regardless of she not being allowed to work, the Taliban has cut off funding to the hospital. The mother and grandmother make what they feel is the only decision they can to survive: they will have the preteen daughter masquerade as a boy so that she can get a job to support the family. The daughter, feeling powerless, agrees despite being scared as if the Taliban discover her masquerade, she is certain they will kill her. Partly as a symbolic measure, the daughter plants a lock of her now cut hair in a pot so that her lost femininity can flourish. The only people outside the family who know of the ...

---

Plot Keywords:

taliban | boy | hospital | girl | military training | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

Afghanistan Ireland Japan

Language:

Dari Pushto English

Release Date:

27 June 2003 (Afghanistan)

Also Known As:

Gia mia thesi ston ilio

Filming Locations:

Kabul, Afghanistan

Box Office

Budget:

$46,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$51,969 (USA) (6 February 2004)

Gross:

$1,127,331 (USA) (23 April 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Barmak Film, LeBrocquy Fraser Productions, NHK

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the first film to be made in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban. Previously all filming had been banned.

---

Connections

Featured in Osama: Sharing Hope and Freedom (2004)

User Reviews

chillingly real

A powerful and disturbing film of what life was like under the oppressive Taliban rule. Maybe because the cast are not actors and it starts with a boy talking to the camera as if it's a documentary being made it feels like what unfolds is actually happening and this makes it a very real and chilling experience. A film that should be seen.(8/10)