politics
25 Years in Afghanistan review
Mir Hussain has been followed by TV cameras since he was a child, and managed to deliver love and laughter alongside his struggle. Now his previous Bafta-winning documentary gets an update
TL;DR
- The documentary "My Childhood, My Country – 20 Years in Afghanistan" has been updated, focusing on Mir Hussain's life over 25 years.
- Mir grew up in poverty in Bamiyan province and urban Afghanistan, facing hard work but also exposure to the world through media.
- The updated film incorporates the impact of the 2021 US withdrawal and Taliban takeover, casting a shadow over Mir's story.
- Mir transitions from being a subject to a camera operator, filming aftermaths of bombings and live sports.
- The later parts of the film show Mir and his wife Shukria facing increased hardship and a sense of stagnation after the Taliban's return.
- Despite adversities, Mir initially showed remarkable optimism, but the overall tone of the update is considerably darker.