by Mariam Ghani
Directed by Mariam Ghani, Afghanistan, Qatar, USA, 2019, 72 min
What We Left Unfinished is about five unfinished films that were made between 1978 and 1992 during the change of the different communist regimes in Afghanistan. The montage of scenes from these films, some of which were reused in other films, actual footage from the filming locations and commentaries by the filmmakers and actors involved, allows us to immerse ourselves in action films and love dramas that deal with local stories and conflicts.
In dialogue with the filmmakers, Mariam Ghani reconstructs how they pursued their passion for cinema despite censorship and dangers. Even if it was not possible to produce a film against one of the regimes, the directors nevertheless developed methods to be able to continue making their films. Between political commissioned work and the claim to depict reality, a contradictory picture of the state's visions emerges. This opens up a panorama of Afghan cinema in which reality and fiction, historical facts and national myths, artistic experiment and propaganda are intertwined.
Mariam Ghani (born 1978 in New York, USA) studied Comparative Literature at New York University and Photography, Video and Media at the School of Visual Arts in New York. She is a visual artist, writer, lecturer and filmmaker and has been involved in the realization of a number of short films, multi-channel installations, transmedia projects, live cinema events, exhibitions, conferences and panel discussions.
The film will be followed by a discussion with the director Mariam Ghani.
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