As a passionate admirer of Shahrbanoo Sadat’s work, I find her journey and resilience truly inspiring. Born from the heart of Afghanistan, Shahrbanoo has managed to capture the complexities of her homeland in ways that are both poignant and relatable. Her latest project, “No Good Men,” is a testament to her ability to weave together love, politics, and everyday life into a compelling narrative.
Film Director Shahrbanoo Sadat from Afghanistan has managed to secure funding from Germany for her movie titled “No Good Men.” Berlin-based Amerikafilm is now part of this project, joining Sadat’s long-developing romantic comedy that takes place within a Kabul newsroom during the democratic period. This was before the Taliban regained power in 2021.
Sadat is set to showcase a project they’ve been working on, co-produced by Katja Adomeit from Adomeit Film (a Danish-German collaboration), La Fabrica Nocturna based in Paris, and Motlys from Norway. This presentation will take place at the Venice Gap-Financing Market, happening from August 30th to September 1st.
In a groundbreaking move, the debut romantic comedy from an Afghan filmmaker titled “No Good Men” unfolds the tale of a youthful camera operator ( portrayed by Ghawgha Taban) who finds herself smitten with a significantly older TV journalist (Mohammed Anwar Hashimi), who happens to be her married colleague. The story takes a turn when she uncovers his infidelity, leading to a forbidden love that brews within the newsroom’s confines.
Despite being compelled to leave Kabul along with her family in 2021 following the Taliban’s conquest of the city, Sadat remains determined on completing her eagerly awaited fourth film production, which she started developing together with co-writer Anwar Hashimi prior to their move to Germany.
The director shared with EbMaster that while the project itself remains unchanged, his original intent behind creating the movie has shifted. Now, he aims not just to produce a romantic comedy but also to craft a period piece focusing on Afghanistan’s democratic era that he personally experienced.
The third film in a five-part series inspired by Hashimi’s autobiographical book “No Good Men” is set after the release of Sadat’s first directorial project, “Wolf and Sheep,” which received the top honor at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight section in 2016, as well as a film titled “The Orphanage,” which was screened in the same section in 2019.
Sadat labeled “No Good Men” as a “political romantic comedy,” depicting the intricate challenges faced by Afghan women during their brief democratic period. Despite the hopeful atmosphere of the time, women remained devoid of rights and freedom, existing primarily outside of it, even among an affluent class that resided in a protective shell.
As a film enthusiast, I find myself discussing love, but it’s a unique kind of love set against the backdrop of Afghanistan. Speaking about love isn’t complete without addressing women’s issues or delving into the political landscape of Afghanistan. It’s an integral part of my discourse on love.
Despite his assertion, the director claims the movie portrays a “universal” tale as love exists universally, while sexism and patriarchy are prevalent worldwide too. He merely presents an Afghan perspective on these issues.
Prior to the unexpected fall of the Afghan government in August 2021 and the disorderly exit of U.S. forces, Sadat expressed readiness to embark on a fresh phase in her life. Having recently celebrated her 30th birthday and settled into a new residence in Kabul, she commenced writing the screenplay for her fourth film.
“She shared that her motivation for creating a romantic comedy was rooted in her intense curiosity about ordinary life, and she aimed to portray the unique Kabul lifestyle as seen through her personal lens,” she explained.
Due to Kabul’s fall and her family’s urgent journey to Europe, Sadat felt compelled to reevaluate her strategy – “If I don’t reside in Kabul, then creating a film about daily life there seems illogical,” she expressed – but once she settled in Germany, she recommitted herself wholeheartedly to the project.
She stated, “Afghanistan isn’t merely a physical location for me. I am Afghanistan itself.” Regardless of where she travels, she embodies the nation. My films represent the country as well. Now, I’m creating Kabul in Germany. This is empowering, she declared. “I have reclaimed my power.”
Currently residing in Hamburg, Sadat is aiming to secure approximately €400,000 ($446,000) towards the €2.9 million ($3.2 million) budget for his upcoming film. The production is slated to commence principal photography in late September. Filming locations will include Berlin, Brandenburg, and Hamburg. Pegah Ghamlambor and her team will work on replicating Kabul’s streets within the cities of Germany.
Sadat openly expressed her disappointment towards European financiers, who she believes have been reluctant to grasp the central idea behind the movie. “It’s truly challenging for them to appreciate its significance,” she remarked. “If I were making a movie with a more straightforward political theme, discussing women, politics, and the Taliban, as well as evacuation, people would find it much simpler to comprehend the film’s objective.”
She added, “To me, these rules are like another Taliban in Europe.” She explained, “They’re restricting me from creating certain content but only allowing specific types. I believe I have the right to express myself as an artist from Afghanistan, especially since we too need the chance to laugh and enjoy a romantic comedy.”
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2024-08-26 12:47