Golchehreh

"If I can take revenge through acting and making films, I would never pick up a gun,"

• Mamnoon Maqsoodi (famous Afghan actor)

This is my 210th review on IMDb thanks to the brilliant movie producers, directors, writers, and many more involved in making movies that offer facts, reality, history, inspiring stories and above all unwinding, detoxifying entertainment. Imagine a world without them!!!!

But well, the people of a once-relatively-unknown part of the world were punished and killed if they even uttered the word 'movie' ! As both movie and entertainment words were erased from their dictionaries by their ruthless rulers aka Talibans. It was mid 90s. Talibans not only bombed the movie theaters but also burnt the reels. They did their best to destroy the archives. However, a Taliban officer Isaac Nezami tipped off the country's national film institute that Talibans are coming to destroy the archives. And the brave and passionate activists were able to hide most valuable films before Talibans' arrival and they let Talibans take possession of the copies of the films instead as a subterfuge.

This is a true story about how Talibans almost succeeded or at least they believed so in their mission to eradicate movies from the country and about those unsung heroes who tried to save the heritage that costed their lives. Watch Golchehrah (flowery face), a Persian movie, available on Tubi. There is also a documentary called Forbidden Reel on the same subject. However, I have not been able to find it on any of the OTT platforms.

It nicely documents some recent segments in the history of Afghanistan, portrays the harsh treatment of women by a traditional society, and illustrates poverty & deprivation; and the appalling divide between developed vs. less developed nations, even if they are neighbors. The story has ups & downs, starts with a dark tone which sets the nostalgic theme in the mind of the audience & flashes back. Scenario carries you on and you will find yourself in love with all of the white characters! The story builds on legends and advertises patriotism. The movie is timely & ends with hope into the future. While I was watching it, could not help but tear which continued for two hours...It not only shall deepen understanding and sympathy but also inspire respect. It will hopefully mobilize minds, resources, and initiatives of the virtuous around the World towards Afghans. ** Dari dialect will be sweet & music to Iranians' ears. * I found a minor pitfall in the plot: why/how Goodarz stayed in Kabul!