The Swallows of Kabul

It is the summer of 1998, and Kabul has been occupied by Taliban for nearly two years. In a city clearly affected by war, The Swallows of Kabul is based on Yasmina Khadra’s novel by the same name, and tells the moving story of two couples in Afghanistan’s capital. Atiq and Mussarat are an older couple who have been married for years, but they now barely talk to each other. In contrast, young Mohsan and Zunaira are filled with longing for what has been, and they still hope for a better life. A series of unfortunate events bring the two couples together.

Zabou Breitman (b. 1959) is a French actress, director and producer. Eléa Gobbé-Mévellec (b. 1984) is a French animator and director. The Swallows of Kabul is their first film together. It premiered at the Cannes film festival this year, and has later screened at the prestigious French animation film festival Annecy.