I remember many, many years ago, someone said to me, "I don’t think **Andy’s **coming - do you want his place?" Before even the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, before the middle east became a **constant war-ground**, a number of my friends would follow the’hippy trail’ - overland to India through the strange and wonderful lands on the way like **Afghanistan**. I didn’t go. I often dreamt of the strange civilisations of **Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, lands of jinn, ancient cultures, strange customs**.
How refreshing to see a film made there with care and attention to **authenticity**. A film that is **half thriller, half comedy**. And one that conveys some of the complex attitudes of a **warring people** for whom it is the only home they ever know or want.
**Indian director** **Kabir Khan**, although with considerable security, is able to come and go much easier than any Westerner could. I can’t imagine even **Mel Gibson** going out to Kabul to make a motion picture right now. Khan’s actors are all cast according to their** nationality.
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**Two Indian rookie reporters** make the strangest roadtrip ever - trying to get an exclusive story on the** Taliban** following 9/11. They meet up with an** Afghan driver**, a **gorgeous American Reuters photographer, and a Pakistani’Talib’** who by turns holds them hostage or doesn’t. They are waylaid by police, bandits and mujahedin as they make a **treacherous trip** across a vivid **no-man’s-land** through breathtaking scenery to the border. On the way they discover much about the complexities underlying Afghanistan as well as about themselves and each other.
Kabul Express is the** first feature film** to be shot extensively in Kabul after the official end of the Taliban’s reign and demonstrates the director’s love of the country and its people, as well as an **incredible sense of humour** that both accurately portrays and caricatures all the various races involved.
The film seems to have** no particular political agenda**, and if the Taliban and Pakistan probably come off a bit worse than anybody else, the locals who reinstate fairly barbaric time-honoured sports and customs are not a picture of civilised thinking either. The different reactions of our travellers to a **game** involving **tearing an animal to bits, or beating a couple of Talibs to death with bare hands, speak volumes.
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In one particularly moving scene, the extremely resourceful **Taliban fighter** is re-united with his daughter. I found the moment where she only lifts her** burka(veil)** secretly watching him depart particularly heart-wrenching.
Kabul Express is a film made by an **Indian company** and** not totally divorced of bias** - there’s no love lost between India and the Taliban over Kashmir, for instance - but as it’s not the bias we are used to in the **West **it is nevertheless a invigorating look into a country that has become almost unintelligible. It may be uncomfortable or even disjointed viewing for anyone emotionally locked into a **politicised **and **over-simplified picture of Afghanistan**, but if you can put that aside for an hour or so it is truly an **eye-opener**.
While **not exactly a blockbuster**, the film comes across as warm, genuine, exciting and displays a range of humour I’ve rarely come across. I am also indebted to **several Indian members** of the audience without whose laughter I would have missed several subtle and very Indian-type jokes.
Kabul Express is a **rare film experience** and is a must watch** ONCE**. I rate it: **3.5/5**.