In 2001, there was an international outcry when the ruling Taliban destroyed Afghanistan?s 1600-year-old Buddhas of Bamiyan. Living in the caves amongst the rubble of the Buddhas are hundreds of displaced families. The Boy Who Plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan is an intimate documentary, filmed over three seasons. Filmmaker, Phil Grabsky tells his story through 8 year old Mir, who acts almost as a tour guide for the filmmaker. Mir lives a meagre existence in the caves, with his disabled father, mother and extended family.
Grabsky?s choice to show us Afghanistan through the eyes of Mir is an inspired approach. While Mir?s father and brother talk about their experiences and hardships under Taliban rule, his cheeky antics hint at some sort of future for his family and the film is an insightful portrait of Afghanistan today and a unique story of survival.
