... They are from different social classes but are great friends. But after an afternoon at a kite-flying competition, one boy's act of betrayal will have a profound effect on both of their lives. Twenty years later, Amir, now a published author living in America, travels back to his homeland ... Read review
Based on Khaled Hosseini's best-selling novel about Amir a well-to-do Pashtun boy from ... more
Afghanistan who is still haunted by the guilt of betraying his childhood friend Hassan son of a family servant. Having lived in California for a number of years ...
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The best-selling novel is now one of the most acclaimed movies of the year. As young boys, ... more
Amir and Hassan were inseparable friends, until one fateful act tore them apart. Years later, Amir will embark on a dangerous quest to right the wrongs of the past - and redeem himself in ways which he never expected - by displaying the ultimate in courage and devotion to his friend.
W Borders Original Voices Award 2003 Winter, 1975: Afghanistan — a country hidden in the ... more
corner of Asia, ruled over by a fading monarchy on the verge of an internal coup. But in Kabul, twelve-year-old Amir has his own concerns. He is desperate to win the annual kite-fighting tournament to prove to his father that he has the makings of a man. Amir’s friend Hassan is a low-caste Muslim and the son of a crippled servant but nevertheless the two boys play together and defend each other against the neighbourhood’s bullies. However, during the tournament, Amir takes advantage of Hassan’s guileless devotion and commits a terrible act of betrayal which is to shatter their lives and define their future.
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Twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to win the approval of his father and resolves to win ... more
the local kite-fighting toumament to prove that he has the makings of a man. His loyal friend Hassan promises to help him? for he always helps Amir? but this is 1970s Afghanistan and Hassan is merely a low-caste servant who is jeered at in the street although Amir still feels jealous of his natural courage and the place he holds in his father's heart. But neither of the boys could foresee what would happen to Hassan on the afternoon of the tournament which was to shatter their lives. After the Russians invade and the family is forced to flee to America Amir realises that one day he must return to find the one thing that his new world cannot grant him: redemption.
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Twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to win the approval of his father and resolves to win ... more
the local kite-fighting tournament to prove that he has the makings of a man. His loyal friend Hassan promises to help him - for he always helps Amir - but this is 1970s Afghanistan and Hassan is merely a low-caste servant who is jeered at in the street although Amir still feels jealous of his natural courage and the place he holds in his father's heart. But neither of the boys could foresee what would happen to Hassan on the afternoon of the tournament which was to shatter their lives. After the Russians invade and the family is forced to flee to America Amir realises that one day he must return to find the one thing that his new world cannot grant him: redemption.
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Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Shelagh Fraser, Barbara Flynn, Keith Drinkel, Felicity Kendal, Pam Ferris, Colin Douglas
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: It's an interesting story... Disadvantages: It's melodramatic, dull, poorly acted by the leads and clumsy.
...his childhood friend's son. Under the iron rule of the Taliban, his journey is fraught with danger, but it is the only way he can face the past that still haunts him and set things right.
Director Marc Forster is well known for his thoughtful personal portraits of loss and regret, having previously helmed the likes of "Monster's Ball" and "Finding Neverland". Both films were characterised by a gentle touch and a ... ...of time and place; in the flashbacks the fashions are unmistakably 70s and the locations fit with what I've seen of the region. This is contrasted by the bright colours of modern-day America and the bleached-out colours of Afghanistan under Taliban rule, which primes you for a bleak snapshot of life. He makes the differences between the social status of the two main Afghan tribes crystal clear (Pashtuns are generally secular, rich and educated while ... more
Amir and Hassan are two young boys growing up in pre-Taliban Afghanistan. They are from different social classes but are great friends. But after an afternoon at a kite-flying competition, one boy's act of betrayal will have a profound effect on both of their lives. Twenty years later, Amir, now a published author living in America, travels back to his homeland in search of his childhood friend's son. Under the iron rule of the Taliban, his journey is fraught with danger, but it is the only way he can face the past that still haunts him and set things right.
Director Marc Forster is well known for his thoughtful personal portraits of loss and regret, having previously helmed the likes of "Monster's Ball" and "Finding Neverland". Both films were characterised by a gentle touch and a deep understanding of the characters. But his magic touch appears to have failed him in this lumbering, soapy melodrama. It is plagued by heavy-handed exposition, plodding pacing and some questionable child actors.
To be fair, Forster is very good at creating a sense of time and place; in the flashbacks the fashions are unmistakably 70s and the locations fit with what I've seen of the region. This is contrasted by the bright colours of modern-day America and the bleached-out colours of Afghanistan under Taliban rule, which primes you for a bleak snapshot of life. He makes the differences between the social status of the two main Afghan tribes crystal clear (Pashtuns are generally secular, rich and educated while Hazaras are usually religious, poor and uneducated). But the director is perhaps too fastidious in the way he spells out all aspects of the players' backgrounds, lives and beliefs. It slows the film to a snail's pace as he compares and contrasts the values and belief systems of the Pashtuns and Hazaras or explains the layers of protocol and etiquette that govern the Afghan population's way of life even in America. We also see a lot of the deprivation and inhumanity caused by the Taliban regime (amputee children living in ruined cities and women being stoned to death as a football half-time entertainment). It often makes the film feel like an academic exercise or a potted history of modern Afghanistan. It is clear the movie has been shot by an outsider for a western audience, so the standpoint can seem slightly patronising. The movie stutters as we shift back and forth from Amir's present-day life in America to his childhood. This is thanks to some graceless gear changes brought about by clumsy editing.
Moments of poignancy are consistently overplayed so they become mawkish or melodramatic. This is often due to wooden acting from the child performers, but the director must shoulder some of the blame for not guiding their performances better. This leads to an emotional void at the centre of the film that cannot be overcome. Forster also fails to build and sustain tension when Amir returns to Afghanistan or when he is smuggled out as a child during the Russian occupation. There's no real sense of danger, so we don't root for the character. As a result the quest to find Hassan's son palls quickly, making the hundred-and-twenty-eight minute running time drag. Sadly this amounts to a very worthy, but ultimately dull viewing experience.
The screenplay by David Benioff, based on the novel of the same name by Khaled Hosseini shows how difficult it can be to parlay a book's success into cinematic gold. Whereas you can get away with a lot of exposition in literature, it harms the narrative flow of a movie. It often feels as though the story grinds to a halt to make way for another explanation of an aspect of Afghan culture. Some subplots such as Amir's wedding are handled in such a way that they seem to exist solely to add local colour to the film. The quest to find Hassan's son lacks drive and danger and the inevitable happy ending feels saccharine. There is another plot strand about Amir's father that seems contrived.
The film also spends an inordinate amount of time on the boys' childhood without showing the intervening years before adulthood. So we don't know what, apart from his childhood, has informed Amir's personality. Therefore it's hard to empathise with the adult version. We also don't know enough about Hassan's life during the Afghan war in the early 80s or under the Taliban and consequently he feels like a secondary character. I suspect his story would be more interesting than Amir's. The characterisation lacks peripheral players. Amir's father is reasonably well drawn while Hassan's dad feels like a sketchy contrast. Amir's new in-laws are disapproving for no apparent reason and the other kids the boys grow up with are two-dimensional bullies whose development is no surprise when Amir encounters them years later. The dialogue is stodgy and any life lessons are clumsily expressed.
The film hinges on the performances of two young, inexperienced boys; Zekeria Ebrahimi and Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada who play the young Amir and Hassan respectively. Unfortunately their lack of training shows; both come across as a bit wooden. It makes it hard for the audience to feel for the characters because you get the impression they don't really know what's going on and there is little depth to their turns. Of the two, Ebrahimi is the more convincing, perhaps because he has the easier role emotionally. However Mahmoodzada fulfils the part of the role that requires him to be unflinchingly loyal towards his friend. And the master-servant dynamic that ensues after the betrayal feels authentically uncomfortable. Homayoun Ershadi does well as Amir's principled father, coming across as educated and suitably paternal.
The original music by Alberto Iglesias threatens to smother just about every scene in the film with his complex arrangements. The film opens with wavering Middle Eastern strings, rising orchestral pipes and flamenco guitar and bongos. He's clearly going for an epic feel. He uses lots of gamelan to try to keep the viewer's nerves on edge, which is contrasted by soft acoustic guitar for Amir's easy life in San Francisco. The first childhood flashback is accompanied by yawing female vocals, loud percussion, accordion and balalaika for chasing the kite. The boys' friendship is illustrated by playful flutes and harps and taut strings crop up when the bullies appear. As the political situation in Afghanistan changes, there are loose, jangly arrangements that feature rising, imposing woodwinds and brass. Amir's return to his homeland features predictable electric guitars and percussion. It's a suitable accompaniment to the film but it can be overpowering at times.
"The Kite Runner" is a well-intentioned film that fails to fulfil emotionally because the director gets too tied up in minutiae and forgets to let the characters tell their story first and foremost. The writing is stodgy and the performances marred by the lack of experience of the central pairing. I found it overly long, slow-moving and lacking emotional depth. If you're really interested in the story, I suggest you read the novel the film is based on.
Advantages: Great adaptation of the book Disadvantages: Some may find it dull and/or distressing
...together in seventies Kabul. Despite the fact that their backgrounds are very different - Amir is the son of a wealthy man, whereas Hassan is the son of a servant and of another race - they are very close; so close that Hassan will do anything for Amir. Unfortunately, the relationship does not work so well the other way, and when Hassan is attacked and raped by some older boys one day, Amir stands by and lets it happen. Then the Soviet invasion of ... ...in Kabul. Can Amir track the boy down before it is too late, thus repaying the debt he feels he owes his dead friend?
This film is based on the book of the same name by Khaled Hosseini, a book that I have read an enjoyed. It was therefore with some trepidation that I watched the film - it is rare that a book to film adaptation is completely satisfying and I was worried that I would be disappointed. For once, I was wrong. There are most definitely ...
sunmeilan 30.07.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Kite Runner (DVD)
Advantages: Pretty compelling viewing, interesting story with a twist, some nice cinematography Disadvantages: Lots of subtitles, a couple of disturbing (violent) scenes, not recommend for younger teens
...grew up in Afghanistan in the 1970s where he's friends with a boy called Hassan and the two of them take part in kite competitions. After an incident, Amir distances himself from Hassan and conflicts in the country end up leading to him and his father having to escape. Fast forward to the year 2000 when he's living in America, where he's been for some years and he gets a phone call from an old friend telling him that he has to go back to Afghanistan, ... ...Thoughts & Opinions - The story, though somewhat slow at first, is quite endearing I think and I found it interesting to see Amir growing up in such a foreign culture, seeing things through the eyes of children was quite interesting. There are some quite pretty scenes during the kite competition near the start of the movie, scenes showing the Afghan ladscape, all the flat, plain rooftops. Of course its not all jolly and nice though, there are at ...
IzzyS 03.05.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Kite Runner (DVD)
Advantages: Great story, great characters Disadvantages: None
The Kite Runner After reviewing the book last week, I then found it at Sainsburys at the weekend and decided to watch it as I was very interested in how they would tell the story on film. The Kite Runner film has been adapted from the 2003 book written by Khaled Hosseini which was his debut novel. The film is directed by Marc Forster who also directed Monster's Ball and is produced by Dreamworks.
The first thing I really liked about the film is ... ...the fact that it did not cast a Tom Cruise or the like and make out that they were actually from Afghanistan. I think this made the film and story more believable, more real and definitely worth watching. A lot of the film is actually subtitled as the actors speak Persian Dari. There is a little bit at the start which is in English and then probably about 30 minutes at the end in English. I also like the fact that they used the real language as this ...
Spottydog11 27.08.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Kite Runner (DVD)
Advantages: A beautiful story Disadvantages: much of the film is subtitled
...never heard of or read the book, so I feel unable to comment on whether it is true to the original story, but as a stand alone film I can summarise in one word: WOW.
What a story! The Film follows the story of two young friends (Hassan and Amir) in Afghanistan. They have a knack for kite competitions, Hassan is one of the be best kite runners; hence the name of the film.
Amir and his father are wealthy and Hassan and his father are their servants. ... ...Afghanistan is taken over by the Russians, and then the Taliban - Amir and his father escape to America.
Amir meets a beautiful young lady but always remembers his old friend, when he is presented the opportunity to make things right Amir is unable to refuse. This takes us on a journey to modern Afghanistan and a revealing journey into Amir and Hassans true relationship.
The Kite Runner is such a moving story, and a film that you will be glad you ...
Chuckles1987 16.05.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Kite Runner (DVD)
Advantages: Great story, emotional and well directed. An epic Disadvantages: Non
The Kite Runner is based on the novel by an Afghan author, Khaled Hosseini. It is a film about friendship, forgiveness, family and redeeming love. The story surrounds the life of two main characters, Amir and Hassan. Amir is a well to do Afghan boy and Hassan is the servant in the family. The two boys grow up together and kite flying is one of their favourite sports. While Hassan rushes to reclaim kites Amir have cut off his opponent, they also enjoy ... ...he refuses to give up the kite Amir have cut to a bully. Hassan was tortured and raped as a result. On the other hand, Amir's jealously of his father's praise for Hassan had led him to frame Hassan for a sin he did not commit. When the Russian invaded Afghanistan, Amir and his father fled and settled in America. Hassan remains in Afghanistan and had a family. 15 years later, Amir went back to Taliban's Afghanistan to redeem himself of what he did ...
jenmil 09.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Kite Runner (DVD)
Contains strong language and infrequent strong violence
Video Category
Feature Film
Country Of Origin
United States of America
Plot
Set in 20th-century Afghanistan, THE KITE RUNNER is a fascinating tale of two boys, united by their love of kite flying, divided by tragic circumstances. When Amir abandons his friend Hassan in his darkest hour, their friendship drifts away like the proverbial kite. Years later and continents apart, Amir seeks to make amends for his cowardly behaviour... even if that means risking his own life.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT; TECHNICOLOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Words From THE KITE RUNNER featurette, Images From THE KITE RUNNER featurette, Public Service Announcement with Khaled Hosseini , Theatrical trailer
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital
Professional reviews
Review
The film feels totally convincing in all its technical aspects, including its use of Chinese locations to double for the story's Afghan setting (Hollywood Reporter, 19/02/2008)
A fascinating and gripping tale (Sunday Mirror, 30/04/2008)
Nuanced perfs and standout production design convey story in cinematic terms, preserving the narrative's emotional power and historical sweep as it spans continents and decades (Variety, 30/04/2008)
DVD Description
Based on the international bestseller by Khaled Hosseini, THE KITE RUNNER is a fascinating historical epic set in 20th-century Afghanistan. In 1978, Amir (Zekiria Ebrahimi) and Hassan (Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada) are young boys living in Kabul, where Hassan and his father, Ali (Nabi Tanha), work as servants for Amir and his father, Baba (Homayoun Ershadi). Amir and Hassan make an excellent team in kite competitions, with Hassan having a gift for running kites, but after one contest, he is bullied by Assef (Elham Ehsas), who does unspeakable things to him as Amir watches from a distance and then runs away, not helping his friend. As the Russians and then the Taliban take over Afghanistan, Baba and Amir escape to America, where they make a new home in San Francisco. But even as he graduates from college and meets a beautiful young woman, Soraya (Atossa Leoni), who is also from Kabul, Amir (now played by Khalid Abdalla) is haunted by his cowardice and can't turn down an opportunity to try to make things right when it is offered by his father's old friend Rahim Khan (Shaun Toub)--even if it means risking his life. THE KITE RUNNER was adapted for the screen by David Benioff (THE 25TH HOUR), with much of the dialogue spoken in Dari, one of the primary languages in Afghanistan. Director Marc Foster (MONSTER'S BALL, FINDING NEVERLAND) does a deft job navigating the complicated story, which moves from Afghanistan to San Francisco and Pakistan (with much of the film actually shot in China), using many nonprofessional actors and a subtle score composed by Alberto Iglesias. Ebrahimi and Mahmoodzada make impressive debuts, with solid work by Abddalla, Leoni, and especially Ershadi.
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