"Afghanistan Revealed" may be the definitive film on post-Soviet Afghanistan. Only available on VHS, it illustrates the pre-9/11 world majestically and makes sense of the current situation in a way no other film has.Ahmad Shah Massoud takes center stage as Geographic journalists document the guerrilla war that was raging in the late 90's. Massoud is given his deserved due by the filmmakers as a shining light in an otherwise bleak situation. His leadership skills, both civilian and militarily, are showcased here. The observer comes away with the opinion that Massoud was a rare man indeed, with all the qualities of a legendary leader of men on par with the elite of history.
But this is not just a glory-film for Massoud.
National Geographic brings to point the suffering experienced by Afghan refugees, particularly women and children, in a dignified yet startling way. The scenes from the refugee camps, set in a rocky hollow on the side of a windswept mountain, are particularly heart-wrenching and will inspire activism from the soft-hearted. The sickly faces of malnourished, diseased children cannot and should not be forgotten, and give this film a life-changing potential.
Perhaps the most mind-bending part of "Afghanistan Revealed" could be the haunting, prophetic warnings of Ahmed Massoud. Numerous times, especially toward the conclusion, he is quoted as specifically warning the United States of the inevitability of terrorist attacks on the horizon. Surely his experienced eye caught something that was missed by the rest of the world.
The Verdict: After watching this 45-minute gem, you will come away with a vastly deeper grasp of the current geopolitical situation in and around the middle-east. This is a must-see for any American.
BTJ
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