Osama
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Siddiq Barmak
Marina Golbahari
Zubaida Sahar
Arif Herati
Khwaja Nader
Hamida Refah
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Inspired by a true story, a tale which centers on three generations of women, deeply affected by the advent of the Taliban's rule in their land. Golbahari, a 12-year-old Afghan girl and her mother lose their jobs when this new regime closes the hospital where they work. As the Taliban has already begun to take over Afghanistan, the country's women find themselves forbidden to leave their houses without a 'legal companion'--specifically, a boy or a man. With both her husband and brother dead, there is no one left to support the family--and without being able to leave the house, this mother is left with nowhere to turn. Feeling that she has no other choice, the mother--along with the grandmother--disguises her daughter, Golbahari, as a boy. Now called Osama, the girl embarks on a terrifying and confusing journey as she tries to keep the Taliban from finding out her true identity.
Director
Siddiq Barmak
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
The Country of Afghanistan
Winner of the 2003 Sutherland Trophy, the British Film Institute's award for new talent in world cinema.
Limited Release in United States February 6, 2004
Released in United States Winter February 6, 2004
Released in United States on Video April 27, 2004
Released in United States 2003
Released in United States November 2003
Cast consists entirely of non-professional actors, including 12-year-old lead Marina Golbahari, whom the director found begging on the streets of Kabul.
United Artists acquired North American distribution rights at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival.
The first film to be made in Afghanistan since the Taliban came to power.
mono
Limited Release in United States February 6, 2004
Released in United States Winter February 6, 2004
Released in United States on Video April 27, 2004
Released in United States 2003 (Shown at Telluride Film Festival August 29-September 1, 2003.)
Released in United States November 2003 (Shown at AFI/Los Angeles International Film Festival (Spotlight on Middle East) November 6-16, 2003.)
