Visitors Review

M_o_u_s_a (2012-05-22 05:36)

Full of false information about Islam

Again, as some of the movies that include Muslims did, this movie has alot of misconceptions and fallacies about Islam - the biggest one isthe center of the drama when a "Sheik" saw a Muslim woman kissing awestern man, so the quick decision made is to punish her with death,and him also in a later stage - This has NO relation with Islam, andIslam certainly wouldn't call for a death punishment for a kiss! A lot of fallacies that contributes to make the image about Islam asthe religion of a bunch of crazy bad-looking dirty men enslaving theirwomen, and killing anyone they want with permission from their God -Which is a completely wrong image, and it's actually the opposite.In the movie, a man killed another because that other man was seriouslyinjured and calling for help - In Islam, taking a sole with suchno-reasoning is a shame ... It always promotes saving lives even ifit's a pet's life.If you're looking for some drama in a strange world, watch this movie,but don't take your info about Islam out of it.

Haynerator (2012-05-21 04:37)

"Pfft. More Social Commentary On The Middle-East..." ....Think Again!

So, you hear the title 'Kandahar Break', and your mind is instantlydrawn to preconceived comparisons to all the war films of recent yearsyou have seen. Trying to artistically, and/or factually, portray thehorrors of the middle-east that have occurred over the past decade. Butdon't worry, you're not the only one who did this. I did too, what elsedo you expect? With films like 'Jarhead', 'The Hurt Locker', and 'TheGreen Zone' all having their crack at taking an artistic stance on thecurrent political situations masked with their own stories. So whywould you even bother to watch another one of these many types offilms? Perhaps, because unlike the others, there aren't any gun-totingmilitia displaying vague humility and fighting for their country tohighlight patriotism, entice us with script and visuals, and perhapstell us how bad things are as well.Kandahar Break, is in fact, a simple drama centered around love. Butnot your simple 'Pride And Prejudice', oh no, one enshrouded incorruption and intrigue. In fact, could you call it a love story?Perhaps not, a survival story perhaps? Culture clashes? For what youinitially perceive to be a standard 'war film', in fact comes at youwith many a surprise. It's very refreshing to see someone break awayfrom archetypical expectations and use these settings for something alot more interesting.But in implying this film has a romance at its core, it shouldn't beassumed that this film is a "date movie" or any such like. Thisactually has the potential to appeal to a variety of tastes. It is notwithout its social commentary, but that is to say the film is notfocused on it. These things happen in the background while somethingmuch more seemingly simple in terms of plot happens in front. It feelsas if all the complex scenarios of the environment have been shovedaside. But this I see as an incredibly positive thing. This strengthensthe emotional intent of the protagonist and allows you to open a windowinto perceiving his priorities.Some of the acting can leave a little to be desired, though under thecircumstances this isn't such a deterrence. The story in fact isgripping enough to be able to allow you to set aside the very minordiscrepancies in performance, at least on first viewing. Though withthis being David Whitney's debut feature, there is a lot to becommended for, as filming in Pakistan was not without its troubles.Some of the dangers shown on screen, in actuality, happened to the crewthemselves. With four of the Pakistani crew members being wounded afterbeing shot at by Taliban, the shoot had to be relocated to Tunisia tofinish the film. Not only does this make the film an on-screenadventure, but a very real (and dangerous) one too. After winning awards at Newport Film Festival (UK) for Best Film andBest Actor, as well as for Best Feature at the Philadelphia FilmFestival, it's apparent that all this effort was not wasted. Though itdoesn't need to win awards to prove this. Despite small flaws in someperformance, this an immensely impressive first feature from a newdirector, and shows tremendous potential for a future career.A fantastic colour palette, original, superbly directed, well writtenand brilliantly executed. This is an 8 out of 10, a film not to bemissed.

emirbelusi (2012-05-20 14:17)

Baluch struggle for freedom

It's a great movie. Its story is nice and real. Kandahar Break in itsattempt to highlight Afghanistan as a brutal place before British andAmerican troops removed the Taliban leaders. And it also shows Balochfreedom fighters of Baluchistan struggle for an independentBaluchistan.Afghanistan as a place under Taliban rulers may no longer exist, butKandahar Break attempts to take us back there with a story about love,loss and revenge. Rather than a film about war, it's more about a man'spersonal journey and what happens when he finds love in a place whichforbids it. Tatmain Ul Qulb as Jamilah, the woman he falls in lovewith, is beautiful and captivating. Her time on screen though limitedto flashbacks is enough to make her presence felt throughout. As a lovestory, I would have liked to have seen it from her perspective and tolearn why she would risk everything for an affair with Richard.As an outsider in Afghanistan, Richard has no idea about the rules,customs and the religion of the people there. As he makes no attempt tolearn about any of these, he finds himself singled out as an infidel.When met with hostility he protests that he is English and pleads forthem to speak English with him. I've come to know from several of myown travels that by learning even a few words of a country's language,you are more likely to receive a warmer reception than by not doing so.Richard's affair with Jamilah follows a similar pattern, and though wesee why he would fall in love with her, I found it hard to see why shewould reciprocate.

crazy-bananas (2012-05-20 10:23)

Excellent locations and a very good film

Kandahar Break managed to break one perception I had before watchingthe film of where it would actually be shot. Admittedly, the crew didhave to relocate and complete the film in Tunisia, but as this was dueto the sad loss of Pakistani crew members, killed by Talibaninsurgents. The filmmakers here took the brave and worthwhile step offilming in the afghani-Pakistan border, and made a film that is all themore enthralling for it. The storyline centres around an Englishcontractor paid to clear minefields, and having to navigate theminefield of relations to the local people and the Taliban Government(the film is set from 1999). Lead actor and actress perform well, Ithink the actress is a newcomer and absolutely stunning. Keep lookingfor this director as I would expect this will be a good platform forhim to move on well in the film industry.

edumacated (2012-05-19 22:50)

what not to do in afghanistan

this film is an Islamic morality tale with two lessons.one: is the oppressive nature of Islamic law. two: is how dangerous the ignorance and arrogance of westerners can bein an Islamic country. and how that ignorance can create dangers beyondwestern comprehension.and i saw it all coming within the first ten minutes. i cringed so muchat the obvious outcome, that i fast forwarded to the end--an end thatacted as a metaphor for the u.s. led invasion.this script does not work in a post 9/11 west--which is no doubt why itwas set in a pre 9/11 afghanistan. i can't imagine anyone out there whois not familiar with Islamic oppression, as it has been constantlypublicized by western powers to justify the intervention. overall, this movie is not worth the time it takes to watch it. and ilove war movies. it's not worth watching, unless it preaches to a choirto which you belong.

Del Brindle (2012-05-17 19:23)

Kandahar Breakthrough!

On Sunday 12th September, along with over 150 people, I was invited tothe Cineworld cinema in Bolton to watch a screening of local boy DavidWHITNEY's first full length film "Kandahar Break". It was a brilliantexperience to see the film on Bolton's largest cinema screen and wasfollowed by a question and answer session with Mr Whitney and Directorof photography…Russell Nabb. 15 interesting questions were asked beforetime ran out, each meticulously answered by either film maker. Theygave the audience a clear insight into the problems facing the intrepidfilm-makers who's film was so controversial in the land of filming thatthe crew themselves were fired on resulting in the wounding of 2 crewmembers (not fatally I was relieved to hear,) and then the impendingneed to swiftly leave the country. Mainly filmed in Pakistan, the film touches on many issues which arecompletely out of the comfort zone of many British citizens, whateverethnic background. Set in Afghanistan in 1999, the film centres on aBritish mine clearance firm employed by an oil company workingalongside the Taliban government. Tense moments…reminiscent of 'HURTLOCKER' begin the film which develops into a touching story offorbidden love as two individual worlds, totally alien to each other,and the British and Afghan cultures, come together so ferociously andclash in a story of contradictions, interpretations andmisunderstandings…of which a certain William Shakespeare would havebeen proud. Kandahar Break moves swiftly in to a tense escape moviewith its fair share of plot twists and surprisingly (and most welcome)a few moments of light relief in the form of the freedom fighter OmarBaloch. The audience is continually asked to judge their own attitudesand preconceptions to the cultural differences portrayed in the filmright up to the final climatic scene. Enough of the critical film-flam!Kandahar Break is exciting, poignant, cruel, controversial andbeautifully filmed in locations far removed from anywhere in the UK.Shaun Dooley in the lead role is extremely convincing in his portrayalof love-torn mine clearance engineer, Richard Lee, alongside hisbeautiful co-star Tatmain ul Qulb. The role of Omar Baloch played byfamous Pakistan actor Hameed Sheik is also a delight to watch and Isuspect is a nod to some of Directors cinematic influences. Localcasting gives the authentic feel to the film which in my opinion iswell worth a view. Sadly, national cinema release has passed this filmby, but if you get a chance to see it at an individual screening thendo so. However, the most obvious way to see David Whitney's first fulllength film is to buy/rent the DVD/Blu-ray which was releasednationally on Monday the 6th of September. Let's hope that KandaharBreak is the first of many films by this excellent new talent...DavidWhitney

thedarkpoet (2012-05-17 09:59)

A Solid film worth 90 minutes of your time

Going into Kandahar Break, I was not too sure what to expect, butcoming out of the film, it's clear to say what the film is. It's aharsh look at the realities of a giant culture clash. Its a drama,centred around a love story, set in Afghanistan. The characters are really solid in this film, Shaun Dooley who playsRichard Lee, a clearance engineer who returns to Afghanistan shortlyafter he death of his ex-wife in Africa, is really something special.He comes across as something of a excellent TV actor, with leading manqualities, its going to be nice to see him do some interesting roles inthe future. Dean Andrews plays the other British citizen in the film,Steve Delamore, who almost steals each scene he is in.The other actors, mainly played by local actors of Afghanistan are alsovery good, with much praise going to Hameed Sheikh who may not have thebiggest part in the film, but has one of my personal favouritecharacters in the film.The directing of the film was pretty good, it does at some times feel abit like a TV movie, but a good TV movie. David Whitney has certainlycome from a TV background, but is certainly heading in the rightdirection to be a good feature director. The camera is still when itneeds to be still and hectic when it needs to be hectic.Overall the full film is pretty pacey, clocking in at 94 minutes, thetime flies by and at no point does the film drag. If you get thechance, and enjoy a good solid drama, Kandahar Break is a film youshould be watching.