Untitled French short documentary
Duration: 00:05:24; Aspect Ratio: 1.366:1; Hue: 16.788; Saturation: 0.270; Lightness: 0.311; Volume: 0.098; Cuts per Minute: 23.490; Words per Minute: 62.331
Summary: Date: no date, prob. 1968-70
Short docudrama with French narration, probably from late 1960s. Story follows a young boy who steals a knife from the market and then runs off through the old city of Kabul.
Footage Source: Afghan Films 35mm positive
Original Reel No.: positive reel #237
short
[Note: first minute of film is missing, due to lack of leader.]
Rahim passes in front of them.
For him also, the feat is achieved.
He is in Kabul, without a doubt, but alone, chased and humiliated.
And for him, this has become a stain on his honor.
All the Afghans, from the youngest to the oldest, love weapons, even the most ordinary ones.
It is ultimately this impulse that forces Rahim to stop, fascinated, in front of this case of knives, and which inspires him to a more precise desire.
He certainly does not know what is the feeling that pushes him to act, but he must have this knife.
Rahim was quick enough. But he does not yet believe himself safe. He seeks a more hidden refuge.
And he is now the one who is feared.
He passes in front of the terrain of Bagram. It is there that tomorrow [lost footage - telecine error].
Rahim discovers, along with the capital city, a new world.
Trees line a long road, which branches into the two streets that are called Gadi.
In truth, Kabul has much to astonish the small country boy.
Russian automobiles driving alongside caravans, and the grand new paved avenues that face the old bazaar.
But in the renovated streets of Kabul, the strictures of Islam still hold. The women pass as they have passed for centuries, covered with the traditional chaduri.
And even so veiled, women do not have the right to attend public spectacles. None of them can follow the crowd that assembles for the grand parade.
The car stops in front of the royal palace, at the moment of the changing of the guard.
Rahim has arrived. His heart is full of joy and gratitude. He still has a few Afghanis.
'Take this, take this.'
'No, Rahim, allow me to offer you the trip.'
Rahim is alone in the great unknown city.
For a moment, he feels disconcerted, frightened. But then a joyous music reaches his ears.
[Final minute missing, during which Rahim finds the marching band, due to reel ending on last frame of print without any extra film to spin.]
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