Watch Saving Mes Aynak

Saving Mes Aynak is a 2014 documentary directed by Brent E. Huffman. The film follows the story of Qadir Temori, an Afghan archaeologist, and his team as they struggle to save Mes Aynak, an ancient Buddhist city in Afghanistan, from destruction by a Chinese mining company. The documentary begins with an introduction to Mes Aynak, an archaeological site located in a remote area of Afghanistan's Logar Province. Mes Aynak is home to thousands of Buddhist statues and relics that date back to the 2nd century AD. The site is of great historical significance and is considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 21st century.

The film then moves on to introduce Qadir Temori, the director of the Afghan Archaeology and Preservation Department. Qadir and his team are tasked with the daunting job of excavating and preserving Mes Aynak before it is destroyed by a Chinese mining company that has been granted rights to mine for copper in the area.

The Chinese mining company has been given a deadline of three years to complete the mining process, which means that the archaeologists have just three years to excavate and preserve the ancient city. The documentary explores the challenges faced by Qadir and his team as they struggle to save Mes Aynak.

One of the biggest challenges faced by the archaeologists is lack of funding. The Afghan government is unable to provide adequate resources to support the excavation and preservation efforts at Mes Aynak, and Qadir and his team are forced to rely on international funding and support.

Furthermore, Qadir and his team are faced with security challenges caused by the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. Mes Aynak is located in an area that is still controlled by the Taliban, and the archaeologists face the constant threat of attack and kidnapping.

Despite these challenges, Qadir and his team are determined to save Mes Aynak. The documentary shows the team at work, excavating and carefully preserving the ancient city. The team uses advanced technology, such as 3D modeling and digital imaging, to document and preserve the site.

The film also explores the cultural significance of Mes Aynak. The site is not just an important archaeological discovery, but it is also a symbol of Afghanistan's rich cultural heritage. Mes Aynak represents a time of great religious and cultural diversity in Afghanistan's history, and its preservation is crucial to the country's future.

Saving Mes Aynak is an inspiring documentary that shines a light on the importance of preserving historical and cultural sites. The film showcases the dedication and hard work of Qadir and his team in their efforts to save Mes Aynak from destruction. The documentary is a call to action for governments and organizations to prioritize the preservation of sites like Mes Aynak, which are important not just to history, but also to the identity and culture of a nation.

In conclusion, Saving Mes Aynak is a must-see documentary for anyone interested in history, culture, and preservation. It is a powerful testament to the importance of protecting our cultural heritage for future generations.

Saving Mes Aynak is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 58 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.5.