Afghan Film, the country’s state-run film production company, on Sunday screened two recently made documentary films, the first since the political change in Kabul.
The films, titled “Salang” and “Company Bridge” were filmed over the last seven months and show the reconstruction and repair of Salang Highway and Company Bridge, a bridge in western Kabul.
Mawlawi Javid Afghan, director of Afghan Film, said the organization is working to produce entertainment programs. “We are trying to have entertainment programs to grab the attention of foreigners so they come visit Afghanistan. Also, we want to show the people what has happened in the last decades in the country,” he said.
Zabihullah Mujahid, deputy minister of information and culture, urged filmmakers to produce films based on the demands of the audience in the country and based on the needs of the society. “Afghan Film’s officials, employees and producers who make films should pay attention and find out: what are the needs of the society? On which topics do films and documentaries need to be produced?’” he said.
Some filmmakers and producers, meanwhile, referring to the restrictions on women’s activity, said producing films and series without music and without female actors is impossible. They said both men and women have roles in society and that both sexes are needed in a film.
“If we want to produce a film or series, we cannot produce without women actors. You know that in a society both men and women have roles,” said Mohammad Azam Hamsafar, a producer and actor.