Love and Marriage in Kabul 2015
Distributed by Grasshopper Films, 12 East 32nd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016
Produced by Pat Fiske, Sanaz Fotouhi
Directed by Amin Palangi
DVD, color, 52min., English subtitles
High School - General Adult
Marriage, Middle Eastern Culture, Women’s Rights
Date Entered: 05/16/2017
Reviewed by Sandy Costanza D’Youville College, Buffalo, NYMahboba Rawi is an incredible woman who has spent her live helping children. Love and Marriage in Kabul is almost never based on love but on economic gain for the family. Lifelong traditions of women being married without a choice, no accommodations for love and affection, and absolutely no personal choice are the norm for Afghan culture.
In Love and Marriage in Kabul the fight for love and personal freedom is at the root of this film.
Mahboba Rawi is the facilitator in an attempt to aid an orphan that she has taken care of in the past. He has fallen in love with a girl who wants to marry him and the father of the girl resists the marriage wanting a larger gain. His priority is money not love and certainly not his daughter’s happiness.
Watching the story unfold and seeing how the negotiations are made for these two young individuals is amazing and it is always interesting to learn about a new culture.
Awards
- 2014 Sydney Film Festival, Best Documentary
- 2015 Sydney Film Festival, Audience Choice Award
- 2015 Canberra Film Festival, Audience Award for Best Documentary
- 2015 Australian Director’s Guild, Best Director