Nominated Afghan Film Fails to win Oscar but makes an impact

By Almas Akhtar, TMO

Buzkashi Boys tells the story of two Kabul children who dream of being Buzkashi riders—they compete in the Afghan sport similar to polo in which riders try to carry a headless goat over a goal line. It is a story of friendship and high ambitions set in Afghanistan. It tells its audience about the culture of Afghanistan and celebrates the spirit of its people. This movie is primarily shot in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The 28-minute film was nominated for an Academy Award this year for best live action short film. The producer of the movie is Ariel Nasr and the director is S. French. The two main actors of the movie are Fawad Mohammadi and Jawanmard Paiz, both teenagers. They both acted superbly in the film.

Buzkashi Boys is perhaps one of the first fiction films to be shot entirely on location in Kabul. It is produced through the Afghan Film Project which helps train Afghan filmmakers.

The Afghan Film Project intended to train actors and crew members of the movie within the country in an effort to someday launch a film industry in the worn torn country.

This short movie did not win an Academy Award on Sunday night but the nomination alone has been regarded a great achievement for Afghan filmmakers .

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