Watch What We Left Unfinished

What We Left Unfinished is a documentary film that takes a deep dive into the history of the Afghan film industry in the turbulent period of the 1980s. The film is directed by Mariam Ghani, and it premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2019. The documentary begins by providing some background information about the time period it covers. In 1978, there was a communist coup in Afghanistan, and a new government was established. This government tried to use the country's rich culture and history for its own benefit, and one of the ways it did this was by funding the film industry. Many filmmakers saw this as an opportunity to express themselves creatively and to explore Afghan identity through film.

However, this period of creativity came to an abrupt end in 1989, when the Soviet Union withdrew its troops from Afghanistan. The country was left in a state of chaos and civil war, and many filmmakers were forced to flee or abandon their projects. What We Left Unfinished tells the story of five films that were started during this time but never finished.

The film uses a mix of interviews, archival footage, and reenactments to tell the stories of the unfinished films. It focuses on the filmmakers' struggles to get their projects made and the political and social context in which they were working. We meet directors, cinematographers, actors, and other key players in the Afghan film industry, all of whom have fascinating stories to tell.

One of the films highlighted in the documentary is "The April Revolution," which was directed by Latif Ahmadi in 1987. The film tells the story of a young couple who fall in love during the communist revolution. Ahmadi shot most of the film in secret, as the government was suspicious of his project. However, he ran into trouble when he was forced to leave the country before finishing the movie. We see footage from the unfinished film and hear from Ahmadi about his experiences.

Another film featured in the documentary is "The Black Diamond," which was directed by Nematollah Aghasi in 1989. The film was meant to be a social commentary on Afghan society and was shot in a gritty neo-realistic style that was unusual for the time. However, Aghasi was forced to flee the country after he was accused of being a spy. The film was never completed, but the footage that exists is powerful and haunting.

In addition to the individual stories of each of the films, What We Left Unfinished also explores the broader cultural and political context in which they were made. We learn about Afghan history, the Soviet invasion, the rise of the Taliban, and the challenges facing the country today. These issues provide a backdrop for the stories of the filmmakers and their films.

Overall, What We Left Unfinished is a fascinating and enlightening documentary that sheds light on a little-known period of Afghan history. It is a tribute to the resilience and creativity of the Afghan people and a reminder of the power of film to capture the struggles and triumphs of a nation.

What We Left Unfinished is a 2021 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 11 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.