Clown In' Kabul

Running time: 72 mins

Afghanistan is not the kind of place one would expect to witness happiness, especially in the eyes of children who cannot truly comprehend concepts like war and hatred. All they see are their homes demolished daily, their families torn from them, and their own bodies ravaged by pain, fatigue, and hunger. Twenty-one clown doctors from around the world embark on a mission to carry cheerfulness and perhaps distraction to children injured in a country devastated by war. Their initial impact with the reality of Afghan pediatric hospitals hits hard, and at the end of the first day, the shock is written on their faces, providing an added impetus for continuing their work. In the following days, they are to bring their joy of life and vivacity to all the hospitals of Kabul. But Kabul is merely the first stage of their journey. The road still lies before them. Enzo Balestrieri and Stefano Moser's Clown In' Kabul moves beyond familiar images of war. And in exquisitely poignant moments, it allows us glimpses of a people who have suffered but are still capable of laughter, amusement, and a love of life. - Mike Rabehl. Preceded by: Afghan Children (Mehrdad Farid, 29 min., Iran) A wonderful short film that explores how the strength and hope possessed by everyone maintains a bright future, even under the harshest conditions.