The Boy Who Plays On The Buddhas Of Bamiyan (15)

Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 2004
Won: Charles E. Guggenheim Emerging Artist Award – Honorable Mention
Royal Television Society, UK 2004 ; Won: RTS Television Award Best Music – Original Score
Valladolid International Film Festival 2004 Won Best Documentary

Eight-year-old Mir Hussain lives at Bamiyan, in a cave beside the ruins of the famous stone Buddhas which were blown up by the Taliban in 2001. This touching film follows Mir and his family over the course of a year, from summer to freezing winter and back into spring. Food and even water are scarce in the caves, and the local health and education facilities struggle to cope in the aftermath of the war. Although the setting of the film is stark, its message is one of hope – hope that the spirit of a child can shine through despite the difficult circumstances, and hope for a better future.